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4. Emergency Provisions: The Constitution of India gives the central government the
power to assume greater control over the states in times of emergency. There are
three types of emergencies outlined in the Constitution—National Emergency, State
Emergency (President’s Rule), and Financial Emergency. When a National Emergency
is declared, the central government can take over the governance of the entire
country, including the states. This unitary feature allows the central government to
override the states during times of crisis.
5. Discretionary Powers of the President: The President of India, who is the head of
state, has significant discretionary powers. These powers allow the President to act
independently of the advice of the Council of Ministers in certain situations, such as
when imposing President's Rule in a state. This further centralizes power in the
hands of the central government.
6. Centralized Financial Control: In India, most of the financial resources are controlled
by the central government. For example, while state governments can levy taxes, a
significant portion of revenue is collected by the central government and then
distributed to the states. The distribution of resources is not entirely independent, as
the central government plays a dominant role in shaping fiscal policies.
7. All India Services: The All India Services (AIS) include the Indian Administrative
Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS). These
services are common to both the central and state governments, and officers from
these services work at both the national and state levels. This integration of services
reflects the central government’s influence over the administration in the states.
Examples of Quasi-Federalism in Practice
• The imposition of President’s Rule: An example of quasi-federalism in India is the
imposition of President's Rule in states when the state government is unable to
function effectively. This occurs when there is a breakdown of constitutional
machinery in a state, and the central government takes direct control. This central
intervention is a key feature of India's quasi-federal system.
• Financial control: Another example is the way the central government controls the
distribution of financial resources. While states have their own legislative powers,
they rely heavily on the central government for funds through grants, loans, and the
sharing of tax revenues.
• Legislation on Concurrent Subjects: In situations where both central and state
governments legislate on the same subject, the central law prevails in case of a
conflict. This reinforces the authority of the central government over the states,
especially when the central government feels it is in the national interest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India's system of governance can be described as "quasi-federal" because it
combines elements of both federalism and unitarism. While there is a formal division of