Administrative Relation under Center State Relations: An Insightful Overview

Introduction

Administrative Relation under Center State Relations: Administration is a key to handling and controlling the law and order of any state. In the Indian federal structure, the administrative relation between the center and states is strengthened with the duties of each.

Even Administrative Relation under Center State Relations is an important topic for those who are preparing for government exams like UPSC, SSC, NDA, and many more. If you are also here to gain knowledge of it then please stay with us till the end of this article.

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Administrative Relation under Center State Relations

Administrative relations between centers and states guide us to the distribution of administrative powers between the Central and state governments in India. The administrative relations between the Center and the states are established by the Constitution of India, which provides for a federal structure with a clear division of powers between the Center and the states. Here are some important points about administrative relations under Center-State Relations:

The Constitution divides powers between the Center and the states, with some subjects being exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Center, some exclusively under the jurisdiction of the states, and others being shared.

The Central government has the power to establish and manage administrative agencies that are responsible for subjects under its jurisdiction, while the state governments are responsible for managing their own administrative agencies for subjects under their jurisdiction.

The Constitution provides for a scheme of fiscal transfers from the Center to the states in order to support their administrative functions. The Central government provides grants-in-aid to the states for various purposes, including the maintenance of law and order, health, and education.

The Central government has the power to give directions to the state governments for the proper implementation of Central laws and policies.

The Central government also has the power to deploy its own administrative machinery in the states for specific purposes such as maintaining law and order or disaster management.

The Constitution provides for the appointment of a Governor in each state who is the representative of the President of India and acts as the head of the state government.

The Constitution also provides for the creation of the All India Services like IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), and IFS (Indian Forest Service), which serve the Central government as well as the state governments.

Distribution of Executive Powers

• The Constitution provides for a clear division of executive powers between the Centre and the states.
• The powers of the President of India extend to the whole of India and are exercised through governors appointed for each state.
• The Council of Ministers of the Union is responsible to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Parliament of India), while the Council of Ministers in a state is responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the state.

Obligation of States and the Centre

• The Constitution imposes an obligation on the states to comply with the laws made by Parliament.
• The Centre has the power to give directions to the states in certain matters where the Centre has legislative power.
• The states have an obligation to give effect to the policies and programmes of the Centre, particularly in areas such as economic and social planning.

Centre's Directions to the States

• The Centre can issue directions to the states in matters where the Centre has legislative power.
• However, the Constitution provides that the state governments are not bound to follow such directions if they are not in accordance with the Constitution.
• The directions of the Centre must be of a general nature and should not be discriminatory in nature.

Mutual Delegation of Functions

• The Constitution provides for the mutual delegation of functions between the Centre and the states.
• The states can delegate certain functions to the Centre and the Centre can delegate certain functions to the states.
• This enables the Centre and the states to work together to ensure efficient governance.

Cooperation Between the Centre and States

• The Constitution emphasizes the need for cooperation between the Centre and the states.
• The states and the Centre can cooperate in areas such as economic and social planning, law and order, and disaster management.
• The Centre can also provide financial assistance to the states to implement various development programmes.

All-India Services

• The All-India Services (IAS, IPS, and IFS) are a key feature of the administrative relations between the Centre and States.
• They are created by the Centre but operate in the States, with officers being allocated to different states.
• The cadre control of the All-India Services is with the Centre, but the day-to-day administration is handled by the State governments.
• The All-India Services provide a high level of continuity and expertise in the administration of the country.

Public Service Commissions

• Public Service Commissions are responsible for the appointment, promotion, and transfer of civil servants in the States.
• The appointment of members of the State Public Service Commission’s is done by the Governor of the State, with the consultation of the Centre.
• The Union Public Service Commission is responsible for the appointment and transfer of officers of the All-India Services.

Integrated Judicial System

• The Indian Constitution provides for a single integrated judicial system for the entire country.
• The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal for both civil and criminal cases, and has jurisdiction over the whole country.
• The High Courts are the highest courts in the States, and have jurisdiction over their respective States.
• The subordinate courts operate under the High Courts and handle cases at the district and sub-district levels.

Relations During Emergencies

• During times of national emergency, the Centre has the power to assume complete control over the administration of the States.
• The President can proclaim a national emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution, which suspends the normal operation of the federal system.
• The Governor of the State acts as the agent of the Centre during a national emergency and is required to act in accordance with the directions of the Centre.

Extra-Constitutional Devices

• In addition to the constitutional provisions, there are also extra-constitutional devices that are used to regulate the administrative relations between the Centre and States.
• The most important of these devices is the system of intergovernmental conferences, which provide a forum for discussion and resolution of administrative issues.
• Other devices include the Zonal Councils and the Interstate Council, which facilitate cooperation and coordination between the Centre and States on issues of common interest.