Latest News
Back
Demand for State Autonomy and Suggestions
The demand for State Autonomy in the Indian Federalism has gone for about 8 decades now. Constitution provides mechanisms to the center to encroach upon the powers to curtail the powers of the states. There lies the concept of centralization of powers in India rather than the delegation of the same. This has led to various movements across the country. The demands for more and more autonomy have also caused a lot of disputes between the center and the state.
The movements have aimed not only at providing financial independence, but also have a political dimension. Such as Art. 356 of the constitution empowers the center to dismiss the state government, to appoint or remove the governors and various other powers. In such cases, it is the center that has discretionary power.
Movements for State Autonomy
In India, the process of political centralization, thus leading to lack of state autonomy was facilitated by the uninterrupted rule of Congress party for around 30 years in the center as well as the majority of states. Congress had no difficulty in converting this centralized power into authoritarian rule in the shape of the Emergency.
The movements of State Autonomy in India could be largely divided into three phases:
- Congress Hegemony from 1947 to 1977
- The Janata Phase from 1977 to 1979
- Coalition Politics phase since 1990
Suggestions to Increase State Autonomy of State
- Article 248 of the Indian Constitution, should guarantee exclusive powers to the state to legislate matters related to the State list. The residuary powers should lie with states rather than the Centre. This would help in increasing and safeguarding the autonomy of the state even in this era of Globalization.
- Article 249 which empowers the parliament to legislate on subject matter related to state lists should be deleted as it leads to the arbitrary notions in the name of national interest.
- States should have more power to decide on taxation matters and determine the public borrowings they need. This would help to achieve the goals that the state wants to achieve rather than the goal of the central government. The center should not be given the right to tax property as granted under Article 289.
- Most importantly, Article 302 which empowers the center to restrict trade and commerce should be dispensed with.
- The provisions of Emergency granted under Art. 356 so as to invoke presidential rule should also be done with. There should be a provision of holding an election and installing a new government.
