Majority of people from the States of north India – Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar—speak Hindi. If all these States are
combined to form one State, would it be in tune with the idea of
federalism? Give arguments.
Which of the following should be the basis for formation of a State?
Why?
a. Common Language
b. Common economic interests
c. Common religion
d. Administrative convenience
Imagine that you were to rewrite the provisions regarding federalism.
Write an essay of not more than 300 words making your suggestions
about:
a. division of powers among the centre and the States,
b. distribution of financial resources,
c. methods of resolving inter-State disputes and
d. appointment of Governors
Based on the first few articles of Belgian constitution – given below
– explain how federalism is visualised in that country. Try and
write a similar Article for the Constitution of India.
Title I: On Federal Belgium, its components and its
territory. Article 1 : Belgium is a Federal State made up of
communities and regions.
Article 2 : Belgium is made up of three communities: The
French Community, the Flemish Community and the
German Community.
Article 3 : Belgium is made up of three regions: The Walloon
region, the Flemish region and the Brussels region.
Article 4 : Belgium has four linguistic regions: The French-
speaking region, the Dutch-speaking region, the bilingual
region of Brussels Capital and the German-speaking region.
Each «commune» (county borough) of the Kingdom is part of
one of these linguistic regions. ……..
Article 5 : The Walloon region is made up of the following
provinces: The Walloon Brabant, Hainault, Liege, Luxemburg
and Namur. The Flemish region is made up of the following
provinces: Antwerp, the Flemish Brabant, West Flanders,
East Flanders and Limburg. ……
Think which of the following statements would be correct. State
why.
√ Federalism enhances the possibility of people from different
regions to interact without the fear of one’s culture being
imposed upon them by others.
√ Federal system will hinder easier economic transaction between
two different regions that have distinct types of resources.
√ A federal system will ensure that the powers of those at the
centre will remain limited.
From the list of following events which ones would you identify with
the functioning of federalism? Why?
√ The Centre on Tuesday announced Sixth Schedule status to
GNLF-led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, which would ensure
greater autonomy to the governing body in the Hill district of
West Bengal. A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was
signed in New Delhi between the Centre, West Bengal
government and the Subhas Ghising-led Gorkha National
Liberation Front (GNLF) after two days of hectic deliberations.
√ Government for action plan for rain-hit States: Centre has asked
the rain-ravaged States to submit detailed plans for
reconstruction to enable it to respond to their demands for extra
relief expeditiously.
√ New Commissioner for Delhi: The Capital is getting a new
municipal commissioner. Confirming this, present MCD
Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said he has received his transfer
orders and that he is likely to be replaced by IAS officer Ashok
Kumar, who is serving as the Chief Secretary in Arunachal
Pradesh. Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, has been heading
the MCD for about three-and-a-half years. √ CU Status for Manipur University: Rajya Sabha on Wednesday
passed a Bill to convert the Manipur University into a Central
University with the Human Resource Development Minister
promising such institutions in the North Eastern States of
Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim as well.
√ Funds released: The Centre has released Rs. 553 lakh to
Arunachal Pradesh under its rural water supply scheme. The
first instalment was of Rs. 466.81 lakh.
√ We’ll teach the Biharis how to live in Mumbai: Around 100 Shiv
Sainiks stormed J. J. Hospital, disrupted daily operations, raised
slogans and threatened to take matters into their own hands if
no action was taken against non-Maharashtrian students.
√ Demand for dismissal of Government: The Congress Legislature
Party (CLP) in a representation submitted to State Governor
recently, has demanded dismissal of the ruling Democratic
Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government for its alleged financial
mismanagement and embezzlement of public money.
√ NDA government asks naxalites to surrender arms: Amid a
walkout by opposition RJD and its allies Congress and CPI (M),
the Bihar government today appealed to the naxalites to shun
the path of violence and reaffirmed its pledge to root out
unemployment to usher in a new era of development in Bihar.
How is judicial activism related to the protection of fundamental
rights? Has it helped in expanding the scope of fundamental rights?
Do you think that judicial activism can lead to a conflict between
the judiciary and the executive? Why?
Read the following statements: Match them with the different
jurisdictions the Supreme Court can exercise – Original, Appellate,
and Advisory.
√ The government wanted to know if it can pass a law about the
citizenship status of residents of Pakistan-occupied areas of
Jammu and Kashmir.
√ In order to resolve the dispute about river Cauvery the
government of Tamil Nadu wants to approach the court.
√ Court rejected the appeal by people against the eviction from
the dam site.