Describe the administrative relations between the Union and the States in India.

Like the legislative powers, the administrative powers are also divided between the Centre and the States. Again like the legislative sphere, the Centre enjoys supremacy in the administrative sphere also. It is clear from the facts as given:

Administrative Relations between the Centre and the States in India.

1. Power of the Centre to give directions and instructions to the States: It is the duty of the State executives to see that the laws made by the Parliament and other laws prevalent in the States are very well executed. The Central Government is authorised to give directions to the Government for this purpose.

Similarly, it is the function of the state executive to see that it does not become a hindrance in the way of the Central executive. For this purpose also, the Central Government is empowered to issue directions to the State executives.

2. Appointment of the Governors by the Central Government: The Governors of the States are appointed by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the Centre. He has the power to remove them as well. That is why the Governors normally work as representatives of the Central Government in the States. They inform the Centre about the conditions of the states off and on.

3. Establishment of an Inter-State Council: In the public interest, the Parliament may establish an Inter-State Council, if it, deems necessary. The following will be the functions of such a Council—

(a) To enquire and report about the inter-state disputes.

(b) To consider the questions of common interest of the Centre and the States, and

(c) To submit recommendations regarding such questions.

4. Centre-State Relations while there is proclamation of emergency: The Union Government enjoys vast powers during Emergency. The Central Government may issue instructions to the State Governments concerning any subject during the emergency proclaimed because of war or external aggression, etc.. During the operation of a proclamation of emergency, the Union Government can take over, the legislative and administrative power of all the States and, thus suspend the working of federal set-up of the country as a whole.

5. On the failure of Constitutional machinery in the States: As far as the emergency proclaimed due to the failure of the constitutional machinery of a State is concerned, the powers of the State executive goes to the Central executive and the representative of the President.