1.
**Legislative Relations** (Articles 245–255)
- **Division of Powers**:
- **Union List (97 subjects)** – Only Parliament can legislate.
- **State List (66 subjects)** – Only State Legislatures can legislate.
- **Concurrent List (52 subjects)** – Both Parliament and State Legislatures
can legislate, but in case of conflict, the Union law prevails.
- **Residuary Powers**: Parliament has the power to make laws on subjects not
mentioned in any list (Article 248).
- **Parliament’s Power to Make Laws on State Subjects**:
- Under **National Interest** (Article 249) – Rajya Sabha resolution.
- During **Emergency** (Article 250).
- **With State Consent** (Article 252).
- **To Implement International Agreements** (Article 253).
- **Doctrine of Repugnancy** (Article 254): If a state law conflicts with a
Union law on the Concurrent List, the Union law prevails.
2. **Administrative Relations** (Articles 256–263)
- **Obligation of States and Union Control**:
- States must comply with Union laws (Article 256).
- Union can give directions to states (Article 257).
- **Centre’s Control Over State Legislation**:
- Governor may reserve a bill for President’s consideration (Article 200).
- President can impose **President’s Rule (Article 356)** if states fail to
follow Union directions.
- **Inter-State Councils (Article 263)**: To resolve inter-state disputes and
coordinate policies.
3. **Financial Relations** (Articles 268–293)
- **Division of Tax Revenues**:
- **Exclusive Union Taxes** (e.g., Customs, Corporate Tax).
- **Exclusive State Taxes** (e.g., Property Tax, Land Revenue).
- **Shared Taxes** (e.g., Income Tax, GST).
- **Grants-in-Aid (Article 275 & 282)**: Centre provides financial assistance to
states.
- **Finance Commission (Article 280)**: Recommends tax distribution between
Centre and States.
**Trends in Centre-State Relations**:
- **Over-Centralization**: States often complain of excessive central control.
- **Role of Governor**: Controversies regarding Governor acting as an agent of
the Centre.
- **Inter-State Water Disputes**: A major issue (Article 262).
- **GST & Economic Centralization**: Centre controls tax distribution under GST.
- **Recent Developments**: More demand for cooperative federalism and financial
autonomy for states.
**case studies and recent examples** related to **Centre-State Relations**
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## **1. Legislative Relations**
### **Case Study: Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2023)**
- **Issue:** Whether the Delhi government has control over services (bureaucrats)
in the NCT.
- **Verdict:**
- The Supreme Court ruled that **Delhi's elected government has power over
services** except in areas like public order, land, and police (which remain with
the Centre).
- However, the Centre later passed an **ordinance** to override this judgment,
leading to friction between Centre and State.
- **Significance:**
- Highlights the Centre’s increasing control over Union Territories with
legislatures.
- Brings up issues of federalism and state autonomy.
---
## **2. Administrative Relations**
### **Case Study: West Bengal’s Refusal to Implement CAA (2023-24)**
- **Issue:** The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed by Parliament, but
states like West Bengal refused to implement it.
- **Legal Angle:**
- As per Article 256, states must comply with Union laws, but there is **no
direct mechanism** to force them except President’s Rule (Article 356).
- **Significance:**
- Raises questions about cooperative federalism.
- Shows states’ resistance to laws that affect their political and demographic
landscape.
---
## **3. Financial Relations**
### **Case Study: GST Compensation Dispute (2020-2023)**
- **Issue:** States were promised compensation for GST revenue shortfall, but the
Centre delayed payments during COVID-19.
- **Conflict:**
- States demanded compensation under the **GST (Compensation to States) Act,
2017**.
- The Centre asked states to borrow funds instead.
- **Resolution:**
- After protests from multiple states, the Centre released GST dues in
installments.
- **Significance:**
- Shows states' financial dependence on the Centre.
- Highlights the need for reforms in **tax devolution and fiscal federalism**.
---
## **4. Governor’s Role in Centre-State Relations**
### **Case Study: Tamil Nadu Governor vs. State Government (2023-24)**
- **Issue:**
- The Tamil Nadu government accused the Governor of delaying assent to Bills
passed by the State Legislature.
- **Legal Angle:**
- Article 200: The Governor can **assent, withhold, or reserve** a Bill for
President’s consideration.
- Supreme Court (2024): Ruled that **Governors must act within a reasonable
time** and cannot delay indefinitely.
- **Significance:**
- Raises questions about **Governor acting as an agent of the Centre**.
- Highlights the **conflict between elected governments and appointed
Governors**.
---
## **5. Inter-State Disputes**
### **Case Study: Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Cauvery Water Dispute**
- **Issue:** Dispute over sharing **Cauvery river water** between Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu.
- **Legal Resolution:**
- **Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (1990)** awarded water distribution, but
conflicts continued.
- **Supreme Court (2018):** Modified the allocation.
- Centre formed the **Cauvery Water Management Authority** (CWMA), but Karnataka
has refused to release water in some years.
- **Significance:**
- Raises issues of **water federalism**.
- Highlights the **Centre’s limited power** in enforcing tribunal awards.
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### **Recent Trends in Centre-State Relations**
🔹 **Rise in Judicial Intervention:** Courts are playing a key role in resolving
Centre-State conflicts.
🔹 **Demand for More Fiscal Autonomy:** States want a greater share in central
taxes.
🔹 **Role of NITI Aayog:** Shift from **Planning Commission (centralized model)** to
**cooperative federalism**.
🔹 **Political Federalism:** Many states oppose central laws (e.g., Farm Laws, CAA),
showing **growing state assertiveness**.
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