Cooperative Federalism
- The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.[250 words]
Cooperative Federalism is a concept of federalism in which the union and state governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems through mutual understanding.
Drawbacks in the existing structure:
- Institution of Governors: Position of the Governor/ Lieutenant Governor, which is seen as an agent of center, stands in the way of achieving the cooperative federalism, as the state doesn’t have any say either in the appointment or removal of the Governor, who may exercise authority in contravention of an elected government (Recent Karnataka and Delhi case).
- Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) :Many centrally sponsored schemes require setting up of parallel structures for implementation and fund flows. These tend to bypass state governments, and undermine their authority and monitoring ability. Recent example being the tussle between the Odisha and the union government regarding implementation of the centrally funded PMJAY over state-funded health insurance scheme centrally.
- Rejecting the Mandate: With the separate parties at the helm of affairs in the central and states governments, the states generally oppose the welfare schemes for political reasons, in contrast to the spirit of cooperative federalism.
- Unfulfillment of state demands in International treaties, AFSPA, globalisation, terrorism, abuse of article 356 are other lacunas in existing federal structure.
Cooperative Federalism as a solution:
- Replacing the decades-long Planning Commission, the NITI Aayog, a policy think tank of India, has been established to enhance cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of state govts in economic policy-making process.
- The Governors have been asked to act as per the ‘aid and advice’ of the popularly elected govt to keep the essence of cooperative federalism intact.
- CSSs have been reduced drastically of late to render more freedom to the state govts.
- Inter-state Council, formed under article 263, has been revived to do away with the conflict and confusion between the states and the union.
- Again mutual cooperation is needed to tackle issues such as AFSPA, globalisation, terrorism
- In the recently-concluded NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, both the union and states govts have reverberated the idea of working together to meet sustainable development goals and discussed many issues ranging from TB-free India, export promotion to MNREGA, Northeast development etc.
Challenges ahead:
Few reforms in the 7th schedule of the Indian Constitution, cutting across party lines when public interest is at stake, maintaining constitutionality above personal gains are few key issues before the successful implementation of the cooperative federalism.
PRELIMS (STATIC)
- Consider the following statements:[CSE (PRE)-2016]
1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both I and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: (a)
Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183908
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
- Which of the following Statement(s) regarding IBSAMAR defence exercise is/are true?
- It is a joint Multi-National military Exercise between the Indian, Brazilian and South African armies.
- It aims at undertaking collective training for participating armies, building interoperability and mutual understanding as well as sharing of best practices.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both of the above
d. None of the above
Solution: (d)
Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183900
- Which of the following statement(s) regarding the ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ is/are true?
- It is a flagship program of MHRD to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth.
- This scheme is open to participation by the technical institutes only.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. both 1 & 2
d. None of the above
Solution: (a)
Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=160790
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=181705
Prepared by : Bikesh Varman
Superb…