Co-operative Federalism

Federalism has given the country’s political system great flexibility. Thus the capacity to resist stress through accommodation is also present. But to continue the same, it requires not simply federalism, but cooperative and competitive federalism. Cooperative Federalism is the concept where the central, state and local government share their responsibility in the governance of people. They work out on the responsibility related to each level of government. We understand the notion of cooperative federalism makes the national and state government as partners while exercising governmental authority.

The Indian Constitution, as we know, is quasi-federal in nature. The Constitution of India contains the usual features of federation i.e. two governments, supremacy, rigidity, a judiciary which is independent, division of powers, written Constitution, and bicameralism. In India, if the central and state ruling party are the same, then without much conflict the responsibilities shall be done smoothly. Whereas, if the parties ruling and center and state are different, then there may be conflict between the ruling parties. This leads to poor governance of people and creates signs of stress and tension between the intergovernmental relations.

One can easily notice that within the basic framework of federalism, the Constitution has given overriding powers to the Central government. The executive power of the State exercise in compliance with the laws made by the Central government. Also it must not delay or prevent the executive power of the Union. The Central government appoints the Governors to oversee the States. The executive of the States even taken over by the Central government on the issues of national security or breakdown of constitutional machinery of the State. 

“According to Granville Austin, the Constitution of India was perhaps the first constituent body to embrace, from the start, what was called cooperative federalism.” said Shri. Venkaiah Naidu, the Vice-President of India while addressing the gathering after India Today State of State Awards 2018.

In the Constitution of India, Article 263 provides the set up of an Inter-State Council that has functions such as investigation, discussion and recommendation. This is to get a better coordination of relation between the Center and the States. The setting up of Zonal Councils was under the State Reorganization Act 1956. This provides another institutional mechanism to resolve the differences for center- state and inter-state cooperation. It also strengthens the framework of cooperation. The National Integration Council and the National Development Council give an opportunity for discussion to resolve differences of opinion. Various ministries set up central councils to strengthen cooperation.

For a state it is necessary to have a strong center and for the center it is necessary to have a strong state. This is the essence of cooperative federalism. The current trends give more importance on cooperation and coordination between different levels of government. The most basic and primary theme we thus understand is interdependence among one another. In the 21st Century, the new challenges faced by federalism have been the need for cooperative federalism, thereby making its practice as a form of governance all the more necessary.