Chapter - 2

Federalism


Exercises :

1. Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India: Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.

Ans.


2. Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.

Ans.


3. Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.

Ans. Similarity: In both the countries, the central government shares its powers with the regional governments. Difference: Along with the central and state government, Belgium also has a community government.


4. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.

Ans. The central government in a federal form of government shares its power with elements of various groups in the country. For example in India, the power of the Centre is divided between the government and various state governments. The government alone exercises all powers by one government. In Sri Lanka, for example, the national government has all the powers.


5. State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.

Ans. Local Government before 1992: I was directly in control of the state government. The II elections were not held regularly. The third election was controlled by the state government. Local Government after 1992: Local Governments have gained some power of their own. II elections are held regularly. 3 An independent State Election Commission is responsible for holding elections.

6. Fill in the blanks:

Since the United States is a _Coming together________ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ___Strong______ vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a __holding together______ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the _CentralC_____ government has more powers.

Ans:

Since the United States is a coming together type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a holding together type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the Central government has more powers.


7. Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.

        Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.

        Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.

       Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.

Ans.

I concur with Sangeeta's reaction. Had the policy of accommodation not been followed and the states not been created on linguistic basis, India would have suffered further partition. For example, if Hindi would have been declared as the national language, the south would have broken away from the north and have become an independent nation.


8. The distinguishing feature of a federal government is :

            (a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.

            (b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.

            (c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.

           (d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.

Ans.

(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.


9. A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.


A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education;

E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages

Ans.

Union List

(ইউনিয়ন তালিকা)

 

State List

(ৰাজ্যিক তালিকা)

 

Concurrent List

(সমকালীন তালিকা)

 

10. Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?



(a) State government

State List

(b) Central government

Union List

(c) Central and State government

Concurrent List

(d) Local government

Residuary List

Ans.

11. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists :

List I

List II

1. Union of India

A. Prime Minister

2. State

B. Sarpanch

3. Municipal Corporation

C. Governor

4. Gram Panchayat

D. Mayor


 

1

2

3

4

(a)

D

A

B

C

(b)

B

C

D

A

(c)

A

C

D

B

(d)

C

D

A

B

Ans.

12. Consider the following two statements.

A.

Ans.

B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects.

Ans.

C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces.

Ans.

D. India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to the local government bodies.

Ans.

1. Limits on the powers of the federal and provincial governments of the federation are defined.

2. India is a federation because the powers of the central and state governments are fixed...Constitution and they have monopoly over their respective subjects.

3. Federation of Sri Lanka as the country is divided into provinces.

4. India is no longer a federation because some powers in the states have been devolved to locals.

Which of the statements given above are correct?


Ans. (c) A and B only.