Centre-State Relations

Centre- State Relations has been derived from the Constitution of Canada. The constitution of India being federal in structure divides all powers (Legislative, Executive and Financial) between the center and the states.

Constitutional Powers –

The Constitution provides a three fold distribution of legislative subjects between the center and the states. List -1 (union list), List- 2 (state list) and List -3 (concurrent list)

Union List – The parliament has powers to make laws in any matters enumerated in the Union List. Current there are 100 subject matters. Matters like defense, banking, foreign affairs, currency, atomic energy, insurance, communication, inter-state trade and commerce, census, audit, postal services, rail, air and water transport, broadcasting, foreign debt, foreign trade etc.
State List – The state legislature has power to make laws with respect to the matters enumerated in the State list. Current there are 61 subject matters. Matters like public service, agriculture, irregation, prisons, local government, fishries, markets, theaters, gambling, land revenue etc.
Concurrent List – Both the Parliament and the State Legislature can make laws with respect to any of the matter listed in the Concurrent List. There are total 52 subject matters. Matters like national waterways, criminal law and procedures, population control and family planning, electricity, labour welfare, economic and social plannig, drugs, newspapers, books and printing press, factories and others.

Administrative Powers –

Articles 256-263 in part XI of the Constitution deals with the administrative relations between Centre and States.

Under Article 312 of the Constitution, the Parliament can create new All-India Services on the basis of a Rajya Sabha resolution.
Under Article 263 the President can establish an Inter-State Council to investigate and discuss subjects of common interst between the Centre and States.

Financial Relations –

Article 268 -293 in the Part XII of the Constitution deals with the Centre-State financial relations.