Short Essay on Centre-state Relations – India is a Union of States. Parliament can create a new State, change boundaries of existing States or wipe out a State’s existence by a simple majority.
The relation between Centre and States can be placed under three heads:
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(1) Legislative Relations:
The Seventh Schedule contains three Lists. The Union List contains items that are in the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament. The State List contains items which are within legislative competence of State Legislatures.
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Finally there is a Concurrent List on which both Parliament and States can make laws, but in event of any conflict or overlap, the law made by the Parliament prevails.
(2) Administrative Relations:
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The executive power is co-extensive with legislative power. The Constitution has created the mechanism of All India Services, which provides administrative cohesion and efficiency in both Union and the States.
(3) Financial Relations:
Both Centre and States have certain independent sources of income. However, it is the Centre that has access to enormous amounts of funds and thus provides funds to States.