Article 1: Treatise for federalism
Why in news: The Justice Kurian Joseph Committee report is in news for highlighting growing centralisation of power, warning of federal erosion, and recommending urgent structural reforms to restore balance in Union–State relations.
Key Details
- Tamil Nadu-appointed committee led by Justice Kurian Joseph examined Centre–State relations.
- Finds rising centralisation of power, weakening federal democracy.
- Flags issues like J&K reorganisation (2019), expanded role of Governors, GST-led fiscal shift, and proposed delimitation.
- Warns that State autonomy and diversity are under strain.
- Calls for a structural reset of federalism, akin to 1991 reforms.
Background of the Committee
- The Government of Tamil Nadu constituted a three-member high-level committee on Union–State relations.
- The Committee is chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph.
- It examined:
- Historical trends in centralisation of power
- The gradual weakening of federal democracy
- Structural shifts in Centre–State relations over decades.
- The Committee relied on:
- Constituent Assembly debates
- Academic scholarship across disciplines
- Findings of earlier commissions on Centre–State relations
- Analysis of recent governance practices.
Core Findings of the Report
- There is a clear and continuing increase in centralisation of power.
- This trend is described as unhealthy for a federal democracy.
- The report argues that Indian federalism is undergoing serious institutional erosion.
- It warns that this weakening threatens:
- Democratic balance
- State autonomy
- India’s long-term development.
- The Committee calls for a “structural reset” of federalism, comparable in ambition to the 1991 economic reforms.
Historical Context of Centralisation
- India’s Constitution was framed in the backdrop of:
- Partition
- Integration of princely States
- These circumstances encouraged the framers to adopt a centralised constitutional structure.
- Over time, legislative, administrative, and judicial developments reinforced this centralising tendency.
- However, the report argues that such centralisation is no longer justified in present conditions.
Arguments in Favour of Federalism
- India’s:
- Geographical size
- Cultural diversity
- Socio-economic variations require a federalised governance model.
- Centralised control is seen as:
- Administratively inefficient
- Politically risky
- Democratically restrictive.
- Ignoring federal principles could be dangerous for national unity and progress.
- The report firmly counters arguments that justify greater concentration of power at the Centre.
Recent Trends Highlighted as Concerning
Ease of Constitutional Amendments
- The Constitution can be amended relatively easily for a federal system.
- This enables a self-perpetuating cycle of centralisation.
Alteration of State Boundaries
- The Centre holds significant power over State territorial integrity.
- The 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories is cited as a major example.
Language Policy Concerns
- The push towards a single national language is viewed as contrary to federal diversity.
- The Union government has taken an assertive stance on this issue.
Role of Governors
- Governors are increasingly perceived as agents of central overreach.
- Their role is seen as interfering in State-level governance.
Delimitation Concerns
- Proposed inter-State Lok Sabha delimitation is creating anxiety.
- States that successfully controlled population growth may:
- Lose representation
- Suffer reduced influence in national decision-making.
Control over Elections
- The Union holds significant authority in the conduct of elections.
- This central control affects federal balance.
Centralisation of Key Sectors
- Sectors like:
- Education
- Health are increasingly being drawn into central control.
Fiscal Centralisation through GST
- The GST regime has:
- Reconfigured India’s fiscal framework
- Increased Union dominance
- Reduced fiscal autonomy of States.
Recommendations and Way Forward
- The report calls for urgent corrective measures.
- It advocates:
- Restoration of State autonomy
- Strengthening institutional federal mechanisms
- Rebalancing fiscal powers
- It urges that the findings should initiate a national conversation on federal restructuring.
- Federal governance is presented as the essential path to sustainable and inclusive progress.
Conclusion
The Justice Kurian Joseph Committee underscores that strengthening federalism is essential for safeguarding democracy, diversity, and balanced development in India. It argues that excessive centralisation undermines State autonomy and weakens cooperative governance. Calling for a structural reset, the report urges renewed dialogue and institutional reforms to restore equilibrium between the Union and the States for long-term national progress.
Descriptive question:
Q. Discuss the growing centralisation of power in India and its impact on federal democracy. Examine the need for structural reforms to restore balance in Union–State relations. (10 marks, 150 words)