Question

"The draft constitution provided for three lists of subjects on the issue of federalism." Explain the statement with examples.

Answer 1

1. Three lists of subjects, Union, State, and Concurrent, were included in the Draft Constitution. While the states controlled the state list, the central government was given control over the union list.
2. The Center and States were given shared responsibilities in the third list. However, the Concurrent list had more items than the provinces wanted, and more items were under Union-only jurisdiction than in other federations.
3. The Union also held authority over essential industries and minerals. On the advice of the Governor, Article 356 gave the Center the authority to take over state governance.
4. Gopalaswarni Ayyangar and other Constituent Assembly members said that "the Center should be made as strong as possible" against the backdrop of the bloodshed that followed the division.