NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political science (India Constitution at Work) Chapter 7 Federalism

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 11th

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

Class : 11th

Subject : Political science

Chapter : 7

Chapter Name : Federalism

Q1 From the list of following events which ones would you identify with the functioning of
federalism? Why?

1.The Centre on Tuesday announced Sixth Schedule status to GNLF-led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill
Council, which would ensure greater autonomy to the governing body in the Hill district of West
Bengal. A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was signed in New Delhi between the Centre,
West Bengal government and the Subhas Ghising-led Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)
after two days of hectic deliberations.

2. Government for action plan for rain-hit States : Centre has asked the rain-ravaged States to
submit detailed plans for reconstruction to enable it to respond to their demands for extra relief
expeditiously.

3. New Commissioner for Delhi : The Capital is getting a new municipal commissioner.
Confirming this,present MCD Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said he has received his transfer
orders and that he is likely to be replaced by IAS officer Ashok Kumar, who is serving as the
Chief Secretary in Arunachal Pradesh. Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, has been heading the
MCD for about three-and-a-half years.

4. CU Status for Manipur University : Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill to convert the
Manipur University into a Central University with the Human Resource Development Minister
promising such institutions in the North Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and
Sikkim as well.

5. Funds released : The Centre has released Rs. 553 lakh to Arunachal Pradesh under its rural
water supply scheme. The first installment was of Rs.466.81 lakh.

6. We’ll teach the Biharis how to live in Mumbai : Around 100 Shiv Sainiks stormed J. J.
Hospital, disrupted daily operations, raised slogans and threatened to take matters into their
own hands if no action was taken against non-Maharashtrian students.

7. Demand for dismissal of Government : The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in a
representation submitted to State Governor recently, has demanded the dismissal of the ruling
Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government for its alleged financial mismanagement
and embezzlement of public money. 8 NDA government asks naxalites to surrender arms: Amid
a walkout by opposition RJD and its allies Congress and CPI (M), the Bihar government today

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

appealed to the naxalites to shun the path of violence and reaffirmed its pledge to root out
unemployment to usher in a new era of development in Bihar.

Answer.

(a) Functioning Federalism as West Bengal Government was part of the political decision.
(b) Functioning Federalism as the relation between Centre-State shows coordination for the
welfare of the rain-ravaged areas.
(c) Functioning Federalism because of the subject of transference.
(d) Functioning Federalism as it empowers the notion of decentralisation and strengthening
of education.
(e) Functioning Federalism because of the transfer of funds.
(f) Not a Functioning Federalism as the actions are not justified.
(g) Functioning Federalism.
(h) Functioning Federalism.

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Q2 Think which of the following statements would be correct. State why.

1. Federalism enhances the possibility of people from different regions to interact without the
fear of one’s culture being imposed upon them by others.

2. Federal system will hinder easier economic transaction between two different regions that
have distinct types of resources.

3. A federal system will ensure that the powers of those at the centre will remain limited.

Answer.

(a) Correct, as federalism ensures the proper representation and powers to each level of
distributive governance.
(b) Incorrect, as federalism aims at the proper economic development.
(c) Correct, as it ensures the proper clarification and limitation on governmental powers.

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Q3 Based on the first few articles of Belgian constitution – given below – explain how federalism
is visualised in that country.Try and write a similar Article for the Constitution of India. Title I: On

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

Federal Belgium, its components and its territory. Article 1: Belgium is a Federal State made up
of communities and regions. Article 2: Belgium is made up of three communities: The French
Community, the Flemish Community and the German Community. Article 3: Belgium is made up
of three regions: The Walloon region, the Flemish region and the Brussels region. Article 4:
Belgium has four linguistic regions: The French speaking region, the Dutchspeaking region, the
bilingual region of Brussels Capital and the Germanspeaking region. Each «commune» (county
borough) of the Kingdom is a part of one of these linguistic regions. …….. Article 5: The
Walloon region is made up of the following provinces: The Walloon Brabant, Hainault,Liege,
Luxemburg and Namur. The Flemish region is made up of the following provinces: Antwerp,
Flemish Brabant, West Flanders, East Flanders and Limburg. ……

Answer. The above article states that the country of Belgium is to be considered as the classical
example of federalism. It defines Belgium as ‘federal state’ and mentions the diverse section of
communities present there. It is to be understood that the formation of Belgium is to be
understood under the light of prudential and moral reasons necessary for the functioning of
Federalism.

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Q4 Imagine that you were to rewrite the provisions regarding federalism.Write an essay of not
more than 300 words making your suggestions about:

a. division of powers among the centre and the States

b. distribution of financial resources

C. methods of resolving inter-state disputes

D. appointment of Governors

Answer.

(a) The division of powers among the State and Centre requires a rigid mechanism were the
flow of the power would be quite decentralised. The establishment of consensus over
the subjects of financial power is to be given primacy. The division of powers is important
to be done for prudential reasons as it will minimise the conflict between the Centre and
States.
(b) The distribution of financial resources requires a major change in the financial autonomy
given to the states and also regarding the transference of funds from Centre to
States.The financial aspect of funding is subject to hegemonization of Centre and
requires a major change.

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

(c) The creation of the committees for the resolution of the conflict between the states is
imperative to resolve the conflict on mutual lines.
(d) The participation of State for the appointment of Governor’s is quintessential as the state
government’s mainly target Governor for being “centre’s agent”.

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Q5 Which of the following should be the basis for formation of a State? Why?

a. Common Language

b. Common economic interests

c. Common religion

d. Administrative convenience

Answer. (d) Administrative convenience, as it will be the most practical decision to unify the
factions despite their socio-cultural identities and understandings.

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Q6 Majority of people from the States of north India – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar— speak Hindi. If all these States are combined to form one State, would it be in
tune with the idea of federalism? Give arguments.

Answer. No, it would not be true to the spirit of federalism as the main aspect of federalism is
that it respects the culture and respective linguistic identities of individuals despite their affiliated
groups or geographical territories.

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

Q7 List four features of the Indian Constitution that give greater power to the central government
than the State government.

Answer. The four features of the Indian Constitution that give greater power to the central
government are :

(a) The provisions for the establishment of the centre’s hegemony over the major avenues
of regional and national importance.
(b) The establishment of Single Judiciary at the Central Level that clearly indicates the
biased nature and greater power given to the Centre.
(c) The monopolisation over the financial resources and the aspect that the Centre transfers
the funds to state.
(d) The aspect of Single Citizenship, where the citizens are considered as the citizens of the
whole nation, rather than of nation and state.

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Q8 Why are many states unhappy about the role of the Governor?

Answer. Many states are unhappy about the role of the Governor as the appointment of the
respective position is mainly under the jurisdiction of the Central government. The powers and
functions of Governor are subject to the monopolization of the Centre and through the office of
the Governor, Centre often monopolise the state’s actions.

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Q9 President’s rule can be imposed in a State if the government is not being run according to
the provisions of the Constitution. State whether any of the following conditions are a fit case for
imposition of President’s rule in the State. Give reasons.
√ Two members of the State legislative assembly belonging to the main opposition party have
been killed by criminals and the opposition is demanding dismissal of the State government.
√ Kidnapping of young children for ransom is on the rise. The number of crimes against women
are increasing.
√ No political party has secured a majority in the recent elections of the State Legislative
Assembly. It is feared that some MLAs from other parties may be lured to support a political
party in return for money.

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

√ Different political parties are ruling in the State and at the centre and they are bitter
opponents of each other.
√ More than 2000 people have been killed in the communal riots.
√ In the water dispute between the two States, one State government refused to follow the
decision of the Supreme Court.

Answer.
(a) No, the situation is not a fit case for imposition of President’s rule as there is no failure of
Constitutional machinery.
(b) No, the situation is not a fit case for imposition of President’s rule as there is no failure of
Constitutional machinery.
(c) No, the situation is not a fit case for imposition of President’s rule as there is no failure of
Constitutional machinery.
(d) No, the situation is not a fit case for imposition of President’s rule as there is no failure of
Constitutional machinery.
(e) Yes, the communal riots can result in the failure of the constitution to curb the masses,
so president’s rule is applicable.
(f) Yes, the state government has refused to work upon the decision of the Supreme court,
so its president’s rule is applicable.

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Q10 What are the demands raised by States in their quest for greater autonomy?

Answer. The demands that are raised by States in their quest for greater autonomy are:

(a) The desire to achieve more financial autonomy to decrease the domination of Centre
over the financial resources.
(b) The desire to challenge the office of ‘governor’ as he is considered as the agent of
Centre.
(c) To resolve disputes with other states without any interference.
(d) To achieve more autonomy in terms of “civil service examinations” to decrease the
autonomy of Centre in bureaucracy.

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Q11 Should some States be governed by special provisions? Does this create resentment
among other States? Does this help in forging greater unity among the regions of the country?

Answer. Yes, some states should be governed by special provisions as these provisions are
made for the respective states to feel unity and constant integration with the country. No, it does

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 7 Social Science Political Science

not result in resentment among other states because these avenues are made as the conditions
for these states to be the part of the Union.

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