Polity
Q1. ‘Federalism is no longer the fault line of Centre-State relations but the definition of a new partnership of Team India’. Comment (10M)
Introduction
Federalism refers to a system where power and responsibilities are shared between the central government and the state governments. The Constitution of India defines the scope and limitations of powers granted to the central government and the state governments under 7th schedule. Federalism is one of the pillars of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
The constitution also recognizes the interdependence and shared responsibilities between the two levels of government in addressing governance issues and achieving common goals.
Body:
Issues between centre-state relations in India:
- Historically, Centre-State relations in India have witnessed tensions and conflicts arising from issues related to federalism. The distribution of powers and resources between the central government and state governments has been a source of contention.
- Encroachment in state list: There have been instances where the central government’s authority has been seen as encroaching upon the autonomy of state governments, leading to conflicts and disputes.
E.g. establishment of cooperative ministry.
- Powerful centre: Also, Centre is given the power to amend the constitution by Article 368 of the Indian Constitution.
- The office of the governor for each state has been a contentious subject.
E.g. more recently West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc.
- Financial Imbalance: State governments often argue that they do not have adequate financial resources to meet their developmental needs.
They contend that the central government has a larger share of financial resources and control over taxation, leaving states dependent on central grants and allocations. E.g. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
Federal India is no longer an impediment to stronger centre-state relations:
- Inter-governmental institutions: Various inter-governmental institutions facilitate cooperation and coordination between the Union and the states.
- The Inter-State Council, NITI Aayog, and Finance Commission are examples of such institutions that provide a platform for dialogue, consultation, and resolution of disputes.
- The idea of “Team India” emphasizes the idea of all levels of government working together for the collective progress of the nation. This approach recognizes that both the central government and state governments have unique roles and responsibilities in nation-building.
- The shift towards this new partnership model is evident in several initiatives and reforms.
- For example, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) aimed to streamline indirect taxation and create a cooperative federalism framework where both the central and state governments work together to administer and collect taxes.
- Basic structure: The federal nature of the Constitution is its basic feature and cannot be altered, thus, the stakeholders wielding power intend to protect the federal feature of our Constitution.
- Balancing national and regional interests: By operating within constitutional boundaries, the Union ensures a delicate balance between national and regional aspirations.
- It prevents the domination of the central government and safeguards the rights and interests of states, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable governance structure.
- Role of the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of India plays a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution, resolving disputes between the Union and states, and maintaining the balance of power.
- It acts as a neutral arbiter, ensuring that both the Union and states operate within the constitutional boundaries and adhere to the principles of cooperative federalism.
- Cooperative and collaborative efforts: The establishment of trust and confidence between the Centre and the states is crucial for India to evolve into a cooperative federal nation. This approach allows for more efficient governance and reduces the chances of conflicting decisions or duplicative efforts
- g. Swacchh Bharat mission.
Conclusion
it is hopeful that the centre-state relations strengthen with time and there is enhanced cooperative federalism since it is an important factor for determining the governance of the country.
Q2. Critically evaluate the key achievements and impact of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Indian Constitution over the past 30 years? (15M)
Introduction
The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1992, introduced a significant shift in India’s governance structure by decentralizing power to local self-governing bodies at the rural (panchayats) and urban (municipalities) levels. These amendments aimed to empower grassroots democracy, promote local participation in decision-making, and facilitate inclusive development.
Body:
Key achievements and impact of the 73rd and 74th Amendments; –
- Empowerment of Local Self-Government: The amendments aimed to decentralize power by transferring functions, finances, and functionaries to local bodies. They provided a constitutional mandate for the establishment of Panchayats and Municipalities as the third tier of government, ensuring local self-governance.
- Impact: This led to the empowerment of marginalized communities and increased their participation in decision-making processes.
- Grassroots Democracy and Political Participation: The amendments significantly enhanced grassroots democracy by enabling greater political participation at the local level. They facilitated the entry of marginalized groups, including women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, into local governance.
- Impact: As a result, there has been a gradual increase in their representation and active involvement in decision-making bodies.
- g. At 1.4 million, India has the most women in elected positions. Seats and sarpanch/pradhan positions were also reserved for SC/ST candidates.
- Devolution of Powers and Functions: The amendments aimed to devolve powers and functions to local bodies to ensure effective governance and responsive administration. They transferred several subjects like education, health, agriculture, and social welfare to panchayats and municipalities. Furthermore, several devolution measures have been formally safeguarded by the states, giving local governments significant autonomy.
- Impact: This devolution helped in the effective implementation of development schemes and programs at the local level, leading to improved service delivery and accountability.
- Socioeconomic Development: By empowering local bodies to manage local resources and make decisions on development priorities, these amendments facilitated the formulation and execution of context-specific developmental plans.
- Impact: This localized approach to development helped address region-specific challenges and resulted in improved infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
- Participatory Democracy: The amendments sought to promote participatory democracy by involving citizens in planning, implementation, and monitoring of development programs through Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) and Ward Committees.
- Impact: The establishment of Gram Sabhas and Ward Committees has facilitated people’s participation in decision-making, particularly in rural areas. It has enabled discussions on local development priorities, improved transparency and accountability, and strengthened grassroots democracy.
- g. There are around three million voted local government candidates and about 250,000 PRIs and urbanized municipal bodies.
- Impact: The establishment of Gram Sabhas and Ward Committees has facilitated people’s participation in decision-making, particularly in rural areas. It has enabled discussions on local development priorities, improved transparency and accountability, and strengthened grassroots democracy.
- Impact: As a result, there has been a gradual increase in their representation and active involvement in decision-making bodies.
Challenges and limitations:
- Uneven Implementation: The implementation of the amendments has been uneven across states, with variations in the devolution of powers, resources, and functions to local bodies.
- Some states have made significant progress, while others have lagged behind. E.g. North versus South India.
- Financial Autonomy: The constitutional amendment created provisions for State Finance Commissions to recommend the revenue share between state and local governments.
- However, these are merely recommendations and the state governments are not bound by them.
- Political Interference: Political interference and lack of autonomy in decision-making can undermine the functioning and effectiveness of local bodies.
- g. MP and MLA interference.
- Gender Inequality: Despite reservation provisions, women’s participation and leadership in local bodies face challenges, including patriarchal attitudes, social barriers, and limited financial resources. g. informal Panch-Pati post.
- Devolutions of function: There has been very little devolution of authority and functions in the last 30 years. PRIs cannot govern unless they are given the authority to actually perform functions related to governance.
Way forward:
- Foster genuine fiscal federalism where PRIs raise a large portion of their own revenue and face hard budget constraints, i.e. fiscal autonomy accompanied by fiscal responsibility.
- Demarcating function: The 6th report of the 2nd ARC, ‘Local Governance- An Inspiring Journey into the Future,’ advised that the functions of each tier of government be clearly demarcated.
- Bottom-up planning, particularly at the district level, is required, based on grassroots inputs collected from Gram Sabha.
- g. Karnataka has established a separate bureaucratic cadre for gram panchayats
- Training: Local representatives should be given training to help them build knowledge so that they can contribute more to policy and programme design and implementation.
- Rewarding better performer: The central government must also financially reward states to support successful devolution of functions, finances, and officials to the panchayati raj institutions.
Conclusion
Local bodies need to be empowered to create greater inclusiveness, participation and women empowerment at the grassroots level. Integrating institutional reforms in local governance with economic reforms was Gandhiji’s far-sighted vision of ‘PoornaSwaraj’.
Ethics
Syllabus: Social influence and persuasion
Q3. Moral agents seem to easily get attracted towards unethical persuasion or manipulation rather than genuine ones at times. Examine the reasons behind such phenomenon (10M)
Introduction:
A moral agent is a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong and to be held accountable for his or her own actions. Moral agents have a moral responsibility not to cause unjustified harm.
Body:
Despite this responsibility, many moral agents are flexible with their morals and get easily influenced by unethical persuasion. The reasons for this include:
- Personal Gain: such as financial incentives, promotions, or power. For instance, A recent report by Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) said that education category(edtech) was the largest violator of advertising code in 2021-22. Making money from such advertisements is easier.
- Lack of Moral Awareness: moral principles or fail to recognize the ethical implications of their actions. Feeding wildlife can increase the spread of diseases, but many Campers, hikers and picnickers are happy to share because it feels almost like an act of charity.
- Pressure to Perform: as they compete within competitive environments. For instance, India has the third highest number of doping cases, according to the latest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report released in 2021. The athletes are aware that it’s unethical but still choose to do so.
- Limited Accountability: or consequences for unethical behavior. The Sarpanch-pati system, where in 2022 husbands of elected women representatives take oath as ‘members’ of Panchayats in Madhya Pradesh.
- Psychological Factors: advertisements shaming fat people or darker skin tones , create a psychological effect where in many tend to associate negative attitudes.
- Organizational culture: Indian police Use ‘Third-Degree’ Torture Methods for Interrogation, they feel torture is a easier route.
- Lack of ethical leadership: turns many protests violent when demands are not met. Eg: Sterlite protests in Tamil Nadu (2018)
- Group think and mob mentality: cow vigilantism is a example of this. Where people get persuaded by what others say.
- Fundamentalism: subscribing to extreme religious dogma makes us vulnerable and would get consumed by hate towards other religion.
- Eco-chamber effect: in social media where people are exposed to only one type of views, leading to intense trolling of people holding diverse views.
Conclusion:
Recognizing these factors is crucial in developing strategies to promote ethical behavior and ensure that negative persuasion efforts don’t succeed .
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