Centrally sponsored schemes are increasingly becoming instruments of policy centralisation. Examine the structural and procedural factors driving this trend. Assess its implications for cooperative federalism. Propose mechanisms to reconcile national priorities with subnational autonomy in shared domains.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Q3. Centrally sponsored schemes are increasingly becoming instruments of policy centralisation. Examine the structural and procedural factors driving this trend. Assess its implications for cooperative federalism. Propose mechanisms to reconcile national priorities with subnational autonomy in shared domains. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question: The Kerala government has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to withhold the release of Rs 1,500 crore to the state under various centrally sponsored education schemes, according to Kerala’s Education Minister Key Demand of the question: The question requires an examination of the institutional and procedural causes behind centralisation through CSS, an analysis of its federal consequences, and feasible mechanisms to balance national imperatives with state-specific autonomy. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Briefly define CSS and its role in India’s quasi-federal system; mention growing concerns over central dominance in shared domains. Body Examine factors driving centralisation: Highlight how fiscal asymmetry, conditional transfers, and uniform scheme design lead to centralised control. Assess implications for cooperative federalism: Discuss how it reduces state autonomy, fuels political frictions, and undermines participatory governance. Propose mechanisms for balance: Suggest strengthening intergovernmental bodies, revising CSS design for flexibility, and ensuring transparent, equitable fund allocation. Conclusion Reinforce the idea that true cooperative federalism requires not just shared responsibility, but shared authorship of national policies.
Why the question: The Kerala government has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to withhold the release of Rs 1,500 crore to the state under various centrally sponsored education schemes, according to Kerala’s Education Minister
Key Demand of the question: The question requires an examination of the institutional and procedural causes behind centralisation through CSS, an analysis of its federal consequences, and feasible mechanisms to balance national imperatives with state-specific autonomy.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction Briefly define CSS and its role in India’s quasi-federal system; mention growing concerns over central dominance in shared domains.
• Examine factors driving centralisation: Highlight how fiscal asymmetry, conditional transfers, and uniform scheme design lead to centralised control.
• Assess implications for cooperative federalism: Discuss how it reduces state autonomy, fuels political frictions, and undermines participatory governance.
• Propose mechanisms for balance: Suggest strengthening intergovernmental bodies, revising CSS design for flexibility, and ensuring transparent, equitable fund allocation.
Conclusion Reinforce the idea that true cooperative federalism requires not just shared responsibility, but shared authorship of national policies.