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Federalism
Question
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Write a note on steps taken towards decentralization in India in 1992.

Answer

A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective.

(i) Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to the local government bodies.

(ii) Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes.
(iii) At least one-third of all posts are reserved for women.

(iv) An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct the panchayat and municipal elections.

(v) The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing powers varies from state to state.

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Some More Questions From Federalism Chapter

Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.

The distinguishing feature of a federal government is

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:

Union List

 

State List

 

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?

(a) State government

State List

(b) Central government

Union List

(c) Central and State governments

Concurrent List

(d) Local governments

Residuary Powers

 

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

2. State

3. Municipal Corporation

4. Gram Panchayat

A. Prime Minister

B. Sarpanch

C. Governor

D. Mayor

 

 

1

2

3

4

(a)

D

A

B

C

(b)

B

C

D

A

(c)

A

C

D

B

(d)

C

D

A

B

 

Consider the following statements:
A. In a federation the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated.
B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects.
C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces.
D. India is no longer a federation because the some powers of the states have been devolved to the local government bodies.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?

 

Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Which of the following holds true in the case of India?

In a ‘Holding together federation’
(A) A large country divides its power between constituent states and the national government
(B) The Central government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states
(C) All the constituent states usually have equal powers
(D) Constituent states have unequal powers
Which of the above statements are correct?

Which among the following are examples of ‘Coming together federations’?

___________ has a unitary form of government whereas ___________ has a federal government.