The division of powers in and functions between the Centre and states are the crux of the federal Constitution. The whole structure of the federal system continues to revolve around this central point. Usually certain powers are allotted exclusively to the Centre; certain powers are allotted exclusively to the regions, and there may be a common or concurrent area of both to operate simultaneously. A basic test applied to decide what subjects should be allotted to the one or the other level of government is that functions of national importance should go the Centre, and those of local interest should go to the states. The India constitution contains a very elaborate scheme of distribution of powers and functions between the Centre and the States. The obvious tendency of the Indian Constitution is towards centralisation within a federal pattern and framework. The scheme of the Constitution secures a constitutionally strong Centre having adequate powers both in extent and nature so that it can maintain and protect the unity and integrity of the country.

Author:
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Associate Professor & Director – CCJR, Unitedworld School of Law (UWSL)

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