What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest…

Question

What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The Union has introduced cooperative platforms such as NITI Aayog and the GST Council but also unilateral changes, from Jammu and Kashmir's reorganisation to farm laws, that strained trust. Regular Inter-State Council consultation, time-bound assent to Bills and capped cesses would rebuild that trust.

**Introduction**

Since 2014 the Union has reshaped Centre-State relations through new institutions, fiscal reform and assertive use of its powers. The GST Council and a string of Article 131 suits by states show both sides of that change.

**Cooperative Changes Introduced by the Union**

1. **NITI Aayog**: It replaced the Planning Commission in 2015, seating every Chief Minister on its Governing Council, and ranks districts under the Aspirational Districts Programme (2018).
2. **GST and devolution**: The 101st Amendment (2016) gave states two-thirds of GST Council votes, and the Fourteenth Finance Commission's 42% devolution widened untied funds.

**Changes That Have Strained Centre-State Trust**

1. **Reorganisation without consent**: Jammu and Kashmir became two Union Territories in 2019; the Supreme Court upheld it in 2023 but asked for early restoration of statehood.
2. **Laws on state subjects**: The 2020 farm laws, passed without consulting states, were repealed in 2021, and a 2023 law reversed the Court's Delhi services ruling.
3. **Agencies and Governors**: BSF jurisdiction rose to 50 km in three border states (2021), and delayed assent led to State of Punjab v. Governor (2023).

SKETCH: flow-cycle | Cycle of Federal Distrust
- Unilateral central move
- State protest
- Article 131 suit
- Court as arbiter
- Hardened positions

**Way Forward**

1. **Consult first**: Convene the Inter-State Council regularly and consult states on Concurrent List laws, as Sarkaria (1988) and Punchhi (2010) advised.
2. **Neutral offices and fair money**: Set a time limit for assent to Bills, cap cesses and surcharges, and restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

**Conclusion**

Cooperative platforms are in place, but unilateral moves have eroded the trust they need. Consultation, neutral constitutional offices and fair sharing would make cooperative federalism durable.

What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.

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