Cooperative federalism

Prof. M.K. Bhat
Prime Minister Narender Modi while addressing ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ summit pointed his future vision to promote cooperative and competitive federalism in the country. This can be a good step towards focusing the policies to meet the aspirations of people. The problems before public need to be dealt by center, state and local bodies with equal responsibility .The involvement of states is vital for the smooth functioning of the federal setup otherwise things can lead to dependency, ill will, frustration and even to the growth of separatist ideology. The non inclusion of states in framing various development policies over the years has lead to duplication, overlapping and made policies less focused .It may be held that cooperative federalism is in no way new to India, erstwhile rulers ruled better through it and history is witness to the fact that things deteriorated during the period of centralization.
The decentralization of policy decisions in a country like India is a compulsion rather than a choice. It can help to utilize the meager resources for the betterment of the masses. The apprehension that a weak center will be harmful for the unity and integrity of the country is a colonial approach breeding dependency. Indian union has graduated to a level where such apprehensions are turning baseless and masses need betterment of their lot. The development of majority is the real unification bond and needs to be taken care of. It may be held that the development of America lead to the silencing of separatist ideology in that country.
The success of policies drafted in Delhi and promulgated in the remotest corners of the country cannot  be guaranteed .The economic problems  and resources available with  people  differ from state to state .The formula of one size fits all needs has turned obsolete and requires to be replaced by incorporating local aspirations, availability of resources and environment. The diverse requirement of people has made federal decision making a natural choice for the country.
The over concentration of resources in the hands of central government lead to mistrust political vendetta, favoritism and yielded a little in concrete terms. In the last 67 years of independence a relation of giver and taker has developed between center and states, because of the maximum resources with center. This suited to the circumstances earlier but the market economy has made this relationship obsolete. Today market economy has grown as a way out to economic problems besides this, the opportunities provided by the market domestically and internationally can be better utilized in a federal system than a unitary one. The private sector needs direction rather than controlling and has every potential to perform in a much better way.
The center, state and local government while sharing the responsibility of governance cannot blame others for policy failure. There will be a better decision making. The overlapping of schemes will be curtailed and they will be drafted as per the local needs. This may make decisions more productive and result oriented. The states too may have to adapt to the mode of cooperation rather than confrontation. Politics needs to be a tool for the good of people rather than promoting self interests. The approach of the central government towards states and the response of non BJP state governments would be worth to watch on this issue. The states must think, if there can be vibrant Gujarat why not vibrant other states and the center should work as a guardian in their development process.
In India, cooperative federalism may involve the center state relations, relation among the states and the relation between states and the local bodies. The decision can be taken at the lowest level of the hierarchy.  Problems need to be resolved rather than put forward .Currently certain things fall in the concurrent list .Both center and state try to resolve them in their own way leading to confusion and wastage of resources, education can be a case in point.
The constitution of India clearly delineates the power distribution between the center and states in India. This relationship is defined by legislative administrative and executive powers. These powers are separated in three lists 1) union list: contains 100 items and falls in the domain of central government to legislate, administer and control. The items in this category are defense, atomic energy, foreign affairs, airways, foreign trade, currency etc 2) State list comprises of 66 items containing healthcare, transport, law and order ,police force ,though the state has exclusive power  regarding these   still the center can interfere in case of emergency or when the national interests are at stake 3) concurrent list: consists of 52 items in this list both center and state can control, legislate and administer the things but in case of conflict between the center and state the will of parliament will be supreme. It consists of education, electricity, trade unions, social planning etc. A close scrutiny of these lists reveals that legislative, administrative or executive powers are heavily loaded in the area of center while as responsibilities are in the list of states. The financial sources fall in center’s domain while as responsibilities lie with states.  Cooperative federalism has been the spirit of constitution makers, without using the word federal, it provides a structure of governance which is federal in nature. In order to have proper financial relations, it advocates the establishment of a financial commission. This commission is constituted every five years to distribute the financial resources between the center and the states. It also provides for the establishment of Interstate council (Article 263)
The aim of cooperative federalism is to use available resources for the benefit of people. The states shall get more powers to deliver better to the masses. The competition among the states shall lead to the economies of scale with an aim to foster economic growth. They must inculcate a spirit of competition with reference to other states and find out ways and means to escalate trade and other relations among themselves. This competition should be based on positivity and if the competition among states fails to yield much, it should be restrained.
In order to make cooperative federalism a reality, planning commission was replaced by National Institute for transformation and innovation (NITI).The governing council of this body will comprise of chief ministers of the states  and Lieutenant Governors  of union territories with Prime Minister as the head. It may give the states a chance to put forward their foot in policy decisions. The involvement of the states will help the policy makers to uncover growth opportunities in states, cities and Metro areas. The states participation in resolving the problems of people shall in no way be less to that of the center.
The role of the Government today is totally different than what it was in fifties. The government in the current times has to be an enabler, to create an environment for private business to flourish. People have witnessed the outcome of planned economic structure in the form of corruption, unequal development and sick public sector, low growth rate etc. It is time for central, state and local governments to direct the business collectively for the welfare of masses.
(The author is Deputy Director (M.A.I.M.S) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi

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