FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

UNITARY AND FEDERAL

UNITARY GOVERNMENT

 One State and One Government

 Divided into Departments, Counties, Communes
 Power and Authority is not Original but derived from the Central
Government
 Local Authorities are merely parts of the Central Organization created by
the latter to act as its agents for the purpose of local Administration.
MERITS AND DEMERITS OF UNITARY FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Merits
 Uniformity
 No Conflict of Authority and Power
 Simple in Structure and Less Expensive
 Suitable for Small Countries
DeMerits
 Absence of Strong Provincial and Regional
Institutions
 Greater Red-Tapism and Bureaucratic
Administration
 Central Authority lack necessary k knowledge
of local Conditions and Needs
 Supresses local initiative and discourage
interest in Social Problems
FEDERALISM AND ITS PRE-REQUISITES

• Two Governments: Centre and State

• Powers divided between Centre and States
• A Written Constitution
• Independent Judiciary
 MERITS AND DEMERITS OF FEDERALISM
Merits
 Opportunities for all small and weak
states
 National Unity and Local Independence
 Blend of Uniformity and Diversity
 Interest in Local Affairs
 No danger of a despot
 Good for Experimentation
 Central Government relieved of the Local
Issues
Demerits
 Danger of secession
 Heavy Costs of Administration
 Conflict between Central and State
Jurisdictions
 Duplication of Governmental
Organisations, Civil services and their
complexities
 Diversity of Legislative Policy and
Administration
EVOLUTION OR PHASES OF FEDERALISM

• Centralized: Nehruvian Era

• Unitarian: Mrs Gandhi’s Era
• Bargaining: Coalition Era
• Co-operative : Present Times
TENSION AREAS IN INDIAN FEDERATION

• Role of the Governor

• Article 356
• Maintenance of Law and Order
• Central intervention over State Subjects
DEMAND FOR GREATER AUTONOMY FOR STATES

• Rajamannar Committee (1967),

• West Bengal Memorandum (1977)
• Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1978).
Committees on Centre - State Relations: Recommendations and their
implementation.

• Sarkaria Commission Report

• Justice M.M.Punchhi Report
FINANCIAL ASPECT

• Constitutional Provisions and the Role of Planning

Commission.
• Journey from Planning Commission to NITI Ayog.
• Greater Financial Devolution and the Concept of “Team
India”: Opportunities and Challenges.