Union-state power imbalance grows as regulatory bodies erode federalism

The exercise of legislative power by statutory regulatory authorities undermines federalism and needs to be corrected

The Constitution of India divides the work of the state into four parts: (a) The Union list, (b) the state list, (c) the concurrent list, which is a joint responsibility of the Union and the states, and (d) Schedules 11 and 12, which define the role of village and city-level governments. We often think that matters in the Union list are fully under the purview of the Union government and the Lok Sabha.

 

A moment’s reflection will show that this is not the case. The Constitution envisioned a bicameral legislature. In addition to the Lok Sabha, there is also the