GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

Dispute redressal is the most important component of cooperative federalism. How does the Interstate Council facilitate the resolution of disputes related to states in India, and what are the challenges associated with this process?

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2024

Centre-State RelationsFederalismConstitutional Bodies

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

How toppers approached it

From all 4 answers · about 130 words · 50% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision2 of 4
  • No separate opening2 of 4

Body

  • Points and prose3 of 4
  • Points1 of 4

Close

  • A way forward3 of 4
  • A summary1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Madhav AgarwalAIR 16 · CSE 2024 · 155 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Modern day federalism can come in both forms - Cooperation and conflicts. For conflict resolution, Inter State Council is provided by Constitution to facilitate dispute resolution.

Interstate Council & dispute resolution:

Body · points

  1. Platform for discussion of conflicting issues between centre and state or between different states (eg: River Water disputes among states)

  2. Reduce role of Judiciary under a special leave petition route instead promote a democratic solution.

  3. Interest of all parties gets expressed through representation of State CMs, governors of States under Article 356.

Challenges associated:

  1. Non-formation of the council since 2015-16
  2. The recommendations are not binding on the parties.
  3. Power tussle by other bodies like non-constitutional NITI Aayog (Team India Wing).
  4. Reduced faith of states in such bodies due to past experiences.

Close · a way forward

Interstate council was called to be formed by Home Minister last year. It must be established on war footing to usher Cooperative federalism in Amrit Kaal.

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Legislative, administrative and financial relations, and disputes between them.

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