23 March 2023

DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1. What objectives does the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat plan to accomplish? Do you think it has aided the growth of cooperative federalism in India? (250 words)

Paper & Topic: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions

 Model Answer:

Introduction:

• On October 31, 2015, the Honourable Prime Minister declared “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (EBSB) in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 140th birthday. The Finance Minister subsequently disclosed the idea in his Budget Speech for 2016–17. By developing greater understanding and ties across the States, this innovative effort will help to uphold the unity and integrity of India by studying the cultures, customs, and practises of different States & UTs. All States and UTs will be included in the programme. State and UT pairings will be made at the federal level, and they will last for a year or until the next round of pairings.

 Body:

 The objectives of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat are as follows:

• to MAINTAIN and STRENGTHEN the fabric of historically preexisting emotional relationships amongst the people of our Country; to CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation; TO PROMOTE the spirit of national unity through a year-long planned engagement between States, which will involve a deep and systematic interaction between all Indian States and Union Territories; SHOWCASING the rich legacy, culture, and traditions of either State in order to help people understand and value variety; PRESENTING the rich heritage, culture, and traditions of either.

Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’s contribution to cooperative federalism:

• By long-term interstate engagements through cultural exchanges and educational programmes, a planned mutual engagement process including States, Union Territories, and Central Ministries has aided EBSB in achieving national unification.
• EBSB has contributed in promoting more intercultural communication and interactions among India’s several states as well as in recognising their cultural diversity.
• Several departments have started programmes to acknowledge India’s diversity.
• For instance, the Ministry of Education launched Bhasha Sangam to teach simple words from 22 Indian languages. The Bhasha Sangam Mobile App and the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) Quiz App are further programmes.
• Food festivals and culinary exchanges are arranged to introduce people to the cuisines of the partnering state and other states in the country.
• Distributing information about landmarks and tourist sites, organising road shows for tour operators, advertising home stays, presenting webinars, etc. are just a few of the activities that fall under the umbrella of tourism exchange.

Shortcomings:

• The mission was abandoned right away and was given to HRD in 2016 by the Ministry of Culture.
• The programme is facing serious financial challenges that will make it impossible to implement.
• Interstate water disputes, issues with boundary demarcation, linguistic issues, etc. have all impeded the implementation of the EBSB.
• EBSB has been further slowed by lockdowns brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak and its aftereffects.
• Several federal issues, including NIA and GST compensation, among others, have impeded EBSB.

Conclusion:

• Shrestha, E. K. B. Bharat will ensure cooperative efforts in order to foster and recognise the spirit of unity in diversity, which stands out as a tall flame of nationhood that must be cherished into the future. The fabric of India is unique, having been made from a variety of linguistic, cultural, and religious threads. Our heterogeneous nation has been held together by a lengthy history of cultural evolution and a freedom movement centred on the values of justice and nonviolence. As a result, a cohesive national identity has emerged.

Q2. What exactly is “asymmetric federalism”? Explain the need for it in light of any special constitutional provisions that some states may have. (250 words)

 Paper & Topic: GS II –  Federalism related issues

 Model Answer:

Introduction:

• A system of administration known as federalism divides power between a central authority and its constituent political divisions. The federal government can come to agreements with multiple states on certain topics that interest them thanks to a flexible form of state union known as asymmetrical federalism. The government can give some units special status via this method, granting them access to benefits not given to other states. Asymmetry is the practise of granting certain states greater autonomy than others. Because of this, some states are able to exercise greater executive, legislative, and occasionally judicial power than other states.

Body:

 Asymmetric federalism in India:

The following four characteristics set the Indian Constitution apart from “conventional federal constitutions”:

• First off, there is no demand for separate constitutions for each State, unlike in a federal state. The Constitution of India is the highest law regulating all Indian states.
• Second, only the Union Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution; the States do not.
• Thirdly, unlike a federal constitution, the Indian Constitution gives the courts the power to invalidate any action that violates the Constitution.
• Fourth, the separation of powers facilitates the implementation of national policy and local governance by the federal government and the states.
• The Center and the States are the two main categories of administrative units in India. Yet there are many additional formats, each developed to deal with specific regional, societal, and geographic circumstances. Together with the Centre and the States, the country also consists of Union Territories, both of which have legislatures.
• Similar to how the Center and the States do not share equal power in all areas, there are some differences in how some States and other Indian Union constituent units relate to the Center. As a result, Indian federalism operates with a noticeable discrepancy.

India’s federalism requires constitutional asymmetries:

• The Indian Constitution is distinctive in and of itself.
• The constitution fights for a strong centre through other sections, giving it a quasi-federal character, but simultaneously having characteristics that are essential for a federal system.
• Recognizing that these dual federalism concepts were introduced on purpose to better suit a multilingual country like India is vital.
• These special provisions in the Constitution serve to protect fundamental rights and balance out any initial social inequalities.
• By enabling different laws to govern different religious communities and by inserting clauses for various types of affirmative action for extremely disadvantaged groups, justice for these groups is ensured.
• The nation’s diversity is maintained and preserved by offering vulnerable groups targeted protection through these policies. “Sabka sath sabka vikas” will be secured as a result.
• It helps to address the varied demands placed on different federal agencies by racial, linguistic, or cultural diversity. Asymmetric federalism has reduced state dissatisfaction.

Asymmetrical federalism in Indian states:

• A powerful union has the following characteristics: It has been given residuary powers; it is an unbreakable Union made up of unbreakable States; emergency provisions give the Union supreme authority over the States to deal with any unfavourable exigency; the ability to propose a constitutional amendment; the President’s Rule; the Governor’s office; etc.
• Exceptional rules for some States: The Constitution’s Article 371 allows some specific allowances for States or parts of States with socioeconomic disadvantages, internal security concerns, challenging geographic conditions, primarily tribal inhabitants with distinctive identities and cultures, etc.
• The number of MPs in the Parliament is not evenly distributed among the States; instead, it is determined by population.
• The Sixth Schedule envisions specific provisions and autonomy for indigenous regions in four northeastern States.
• As a means of providing financial assistance to States that were financially disadvantaged owing to various reasons, 11 States were given Special Category Status (SCS).
• Union Territories: Only Delhi and Puducherry have legislatures; the remaining regions under Central administration lack both legislatures and ministerial councils. Even between Delhi and Puducherry, there is a definite difference.
• Puducherry has legislative competence over any matter included in the State List or the Concurrent List as it relates to the Union Territory. In Delhi, which also contains this field, there are three additional exclusions: police, land, and public order are not included. However, Parliament retains the right to veto any law passed by the Assembly in the Union Territories.
• Jammu and Kashmir was given unique permission to help fight radicalisation, according to Article 370. By standing up for them, it has helped to ensure justice for underrepresented groups and sparsely populated areas. But the article has since been updated.

Conclusion:

• The Indian polity’s “asymmetrical” federal structure is supported by certain socioeconomic and political factors. In order to realise the dream of social and economic democracy and to progress egalitarian development across the country, it is imperative. Also, it aids in preventing regional hostilities from turning into separatist impulses that could later manifest as aspirations for statehood. Because of this, the federalist system also depends on the country’s continued integrity and unity.