State Autonomy In Indian Federation

The book discusses the issue of autonomy in India’s federal system and its precision and focused nature. It inquires into the various aspects of the problem autonomy of the states and its emerging trends with special reference of Jammu and Kashmir State autonomy. The book addresses many controversial unanswered question like – Should India adopt and opt for ‘dual’ or ‘competitive’ model of federalism, which has long since been discarded even in the land of its origin or should we evolve robust indigenous solutions to our problem of autonomy of States? To change the metaphor, do we choose a ‘regression model’ or a ‘development model’ of our federal polity? All these discussions which deserve sustained citizen interest and national debate, have been answered in the present book.

"Thematically the study is significant as it deals covers a wide range of issues connected with the concept of Indian federalism and Article 370 of the Indian constitution". -Noor Ahmad Baba, Professor, Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K "The author has emphatically stated that the demand of autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a great debate and will remain a living issue in Indian federation". -Arshi Khan, Professor, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India "The author has emphatically examined the implications of Article 370 of the constitutional democracy of the state and the nation". -Iftekhar Ahemmed, Professor, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India The book discusses the issue of autonomy in India's federal system and its precision and focused nature. It inquires into the various aspects of the problem autonomy of the states and its emerging trends with special reference of Jammu and Kashmir State autonomy. The book addresses many controversial unanswered question like - Should India adopt and opt for 'dual' or 'competitive' model of federalism, which has long since been discarded even in the land of its origin or should we evolve robust indigenous solutions to our problem of autonomy of States? To change the metaphor, do we choose a 'regression model' or a 'development model' of our federal polity? All these discussions which deserve sustained citizen interest and national debate, have been answered in the present book. Dr. Waseem Ahmed Sofi teaches Political Science at the Government Degree College, Jammu, India. He has written for multiple newspapers and magazines like The Rising Kashmir, The Rising Truth, and The Kashmir Reader.

The demand of State autonomy has remained a highly contentious issue in Indian Politics right since the time when accession of Kashmir to the Indian federalism took place. This is a demand that often generate tension between Center and the State. It is felt that the autonomy for the State may actually come to mean autonomy for Kashmir region only. It may not flow to the regional and sub-regional levels. The autonomy that extends beyond the State needs a multi-layered package of autonomy that extends beyond the State to the regional or sub-regional levels. Autonomy is needed to inspire confidence to the people, to make the system more democratic, to ensure speedier and balanced development and to make the administration accountable to the people and thus more efficient and above all, to evolve a composite and harmonious personality of the State. None of these can be achiever in the present unitary system of the state and by centralization of power and administration. A more federalized and bottom-up approach is needed to solve the problem of the State. This book is an attempt to examine the relationship of Kashmir identity with the Indian Union, the regional identity of Jammu and Ladakh with the State. This book on the one hand is the description of the relationship between the Centre and the State and on the other hand is the description of relationship between the three regions, namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. My prescription is deeply federal and decentralizing in nature.

"This book is a detailed overview of the institutional and historical trajectory of Indian federalism, including both territorial and non-territorial aspects of Indian federalism. An extensive analysis has been made of the various federal policy measures adopted by different rulers from time to time, particularly with an emphasis on federalism under the British colonial rule and the role of princely states in Indian federalism. It has made a critical analysis of the Constituent Assembly Debates on federalism and the role of political leaders in shaping of Indian federalism. Further, a critical analysis has been made about the changing nature and dynamics of Indian federalism in the post-independent India including the contemporary debates on various aspects of Indian federalism. The book is an important compendium for those wishing to have first-hand information on Indian federalism and may be very useful for scholars interested in center-state relations. It can be an important guide for researchers in identifying various research questions for further study on Indian federalism. Most importantly, it can be a very useful course book for students or professionals for whom the existing shorter introductions to the subject may not suffice. Any undergraduate student who needs to undertake an advance level study on Indian Politics and Government or Indian federalism will find the book very useful. International readers of comparative politics will also find the book useful. Additionally, the book may be useful for those who are interested in Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and for the politicians as well."

Articles on the nature and working of the Indian federal system of government.

To understand how politics, the economy, and public policy function in the world’s largest democracy, an appreciation of federalism is essential. Bringing to surface the complex dimensions that affect relations between India’s central government and states, this short introduction is the one-stop account to federalism in India. Paying attention to the constitutional, political, and economic factors that shape Centre–state relations, this book stimulates understanding of some of the big dilemmas facing India today. The ability of India’s central government to set the economic agenda or secure implementation of national policies throughout the country depends on the institutions and practices of federalism. Similarly, the ability of India’s states to contribute to national policy making or to define their own policy agendas that speak to local priorities all hinge on questions of federalism. Organised in four chapters, this book introduces readers to one of the key living features of Indian democracy.

The Present Book Examines The Problems Of Constitutional Theory And Practice Of Federal¬Ism With Special Reference To The Centralizing Tendencies Of The Central Voluntary Grants And The Autonomy Of The States In India. These Are Studied Within The Theoretical Framework Of Three Federal Theories Classical Theory Of Federalism, Origin Theory Of Federalism And Theory Of Co-Operative Federalism.In Terms Of Conceptual Framework, The Pro¬Blem Of This Study Has Three Dimensions Structural Dimension, Contextual Dimension And Operational Dimension. It Has Three Determi¬Nants Constitutional Determinants, Socio-Eco¬Nomic Determinants And Political Determinants.The Book Examines How The Existing Socio¬Economic Conditions Compel The States To Ac¬Cept The Central Voluntary Grants. It Analyses How The Operational Aspects Of The Central Vol¬Untary Grants Have Built-In Mechanism To Pen¬Etrate Into State Autonomy. It Has Explained The Various Dimensions Of Central Means Of Penetration Into State Fields Through The Cen¬Tral Voluntary Grants. It Has Identified The Ar¬Eas Of State Into Which The Central Grants Have Made Penetration. It Has Evaluated Trends In Centralizing Tendencies Of The Central Grants. It Has Measured Reactions Of Leaders, Political Parties, Reports Of Commissions, Academicians, Etc., To Such Centralizing Tendencies.Though There Are Several Books On Indian Fed¬Eralism In General And On Centre-State Finan¬Cial Relations In Particular, Yet The Present Book Is The First Of Its Kind In Presenting All Pervading Picture Of Article 282 Which Was Considered As An Insignificant Article By The Framers Of The Indian Constitution But Which Has Become The Most Powerful Weapon In The Hands Of The Planning Commission And Of The Central Government To Penetrate Into State Autonomy In The Name Of Grants And Planned Development.

This volume analyzes centre-state dynamics in India placed against the backdrop of the election of a Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata (BJP) government to central power in 2014. It reflects on how centre-state relations have been shaped by the legacy of nearly two decades of broad-based coalition government at the centre and the concurrent and ongoing liberalization of the Indian economy. To this purpose, the volume engages with several relevant questions linked to the political economy of Indian federalism and its ability to manage ethno-linguistic difference. Did liberalization strengthen the economic or political autonomy of the Indian states? What impact did party system change have on the capacity of parties in central government to influence the actions of state governments? How did party system change and liberalization influence the fiscal and financial autonomy of the states and the capacity of the centre in planning and social development? Did both processes strengthen the autonomy of Chief Ministers in foreign policy-making? What are the strengths and weaknesses of Indian federalism in ethno-linguistic conflict management and what do the recent split of Andhra Pradesh or the proposed formation of Bodoland tell us about the dynamics underpinning the management of ethno-linguistic difference in contemporary India? The chapters originally published as a special issue of India Review.