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Questions
What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Distinguish between the unitary form of government and the federal form of government.
Solution 1
In a federal form of government, the central government shares its powers with the various constituent units of the country. For example, in India, power is divided between the government at the Centre and the various State governments.
In a unitary form of government, all the power is exercised by only one government. For example, in Sri Lanka, the national government has all the powers.
Solution 2
A unitary form of government is one wherein all the powers are concentrated in the hands of the central government. The central government delegates authority to local units that are created by it. These local units are referred as local governments. Countries like England, France, and Japan have Unitary Governments. Unitary Governments are suitable for smaller countries.
K. C. Where describes the federal principle as the method of divided power so that the general and regional governments are each within a sphere co-ordinate and independent.
Federalism is the theory of federal political order, wherein final authority is divided between sub-units and a center. Unlike a unitary state, sovereignty is constitutionally split at two tiers. Unlike Unitary form, in the Federal system the Constitution has absolute supremacy. There is also devolution of powers between the central government and state governments. Further an independent judiciary is a key feature of Federalism. The Indian system is relatively federal in nature with states enjoying reasonable powers on a number of subjects like law and order. The Judiciary in India too is independent and often gives verdicts that go against the governments.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.
A. Defence
Β. Police
C. Agriculture
D. Education
E. Banking
F. Forests
G. Communications
H. Trade
I. Marriages
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Union List |
- |
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State List |
- |
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Concurrent List |
- |
Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
|
List I |
List II |
|
1. Union of India |
A. Prime Minister |
|
2. State |
Β. Sarpanch |
|
3. Municipal |
C. Governor |
|
4. Gram Panchayat |
D. Mayor |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
(a) |
D |
A |
B |
C |
|
(b) |
B |
C |
D |
A |
|
(c) |
A |
C |
D |
B |
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(d) |
C |
D |
A |
B |
Answer the following question.
Describe any three provisions of amendment made in the 'Indian Constitution' in 1992 for making the 'Three-Tier' government more effective and powerful.
What is the third tier of government known as?
What is the government at the Block level called?
Which local govt works at the district level?
Who is the chairperson of Municipal Corporation?
The system of Panchayati Raj involves:
Consider the following statements on the practice of federalism in India. Identify those which hold true for decentralisation after 1992.
(A) Local governments did not have any power or resources of their own.
(B) It became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
(C) The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.
(D) No seats are reserved in the elected bodies for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.
Identify the administrative system of Indian Government with the help of the following information.
- Power shared between Central and State Governments to Local Governments.
- It is called as a third tier of the Government.
- The State Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with them.
Select the appropriate option from the following.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow:
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DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country. This number is bigger than the population of many countries in the world. Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. It has also increased women's representation and voice in our democracy. At the same time, there are many difficulties. while elections are held regularly of Panchayats and people participate enthusiastically in it but meetings of gram sabhas are not held regularly. |
- Why is Indian decentralisation considered as the largest experiment in democracy?
- Analyse how constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in India?
- Explain any two steps taken by the Indian Government for decentralisation.
