Examining The Role Of Centre-State Relations In India’s Socio-Economic Planning Through The Lens Of Cooperative Federalism: A Critical Study
- NLR Journal
- Jul 16
- 1 min read
By Aditi Sharma, LL.M., Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.
Abstract
Federalism forms an integral part of the Constitution of India. Through the power of the interpretation of the Courts, it has been established as the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. However, the nature of federalism in India is that of ‘quasi-federal’ imbibing features of a federal government with a Strong Centre. This quasi-federal structure of Indian federalism is characterized by a complex interplay between central and state governments, particularly in the realm of social welfare. The efficacy of social welfare programs, which are crucial for addressing disparities for the marginalized and disadvantaged populations, hinges significantly on the dynamics of Centre-State relations. From this aspect, it then becomes crucial to streamline the actions and powers of both the Centre and the States in a manner that fosters greater collaboration towards the ultimate goal of national welfare. This is where the framework of cooperative federalism comes into play. However, the practical application of this model in the context of social welfare has faced several challenges.
This paper aims to examine the role of cooperative federalism in improving the centre-state relations for the social development of India. The paper also endeavours to analyse the instances of clashes between the centre and state in the process of planning. It also aims to identify the successful centre-state collaborations of other nations in social welfare and then concludes with the plausible solutions for cooperative governance in light of development of India.
