Bypassing Political Leadership - Centre-State Relations
iasparliament
May 22, 2021
What is the issue?
The Centre has a duty not to bypass political leadership in dealing with States.
But two recent developments have raised concern that the Centre wants to give direct instructions to officials functioning under elected State regimes.
How important is Centre’s role?
India is a ‘federal country with strong centralising features.’
A major responsibility for the Centre is to maintain the balance, as well as mutual respect, between political structures at the central and State levels.
In particular, it is an obligation of the Centre to refrain from bypassing the elected leadership while dealing with States.
What are the recent events?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held two virtual meetings with district magistrates and State officials to review the COVID-19 situation.
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal held a virtual meeting with State Secretaries in charge of education.
This was on the National Education Policy, and related matters such as the conduct of Class XII examinations.
Such meetings are usual and help get some feedback from the field across India.
But, it is quite unusual for leaders in the central political executive to bypass their counterparts in the States.
The Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education took the right stand by not deputing any official to represent the State in Mr. Pokhriyal’s interaction.
The idea was not to boycott the meeting, but to say the Minister ought to have been included in a discussion on the NEP.
Likewise, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee highlighted that Chief Ministers felt humiliated when all of them were not allowed to speak to the PM in a virtual interaction.
Is this the first time?
The Prime Minister addressing district magistrates, or collectors, does have a precedent.
Former PM Rajiv Gandhi addressed the heads of the district administration in Uttar Pradesh on the issue of Panchayati Raj.
The defence then was that such direct interactions were permissible under the Constitution, citing Articles 256 and 257.
These provisions stipulate that the States are obliged to comply with laws made by Parliament.
They also allow some directions from the Union government.
What is the concern then?
There is also scope for resentment that the elected representatives of the States are being bypassed.
This is especially true if the Prime Minister belongs to one party, and the officials addressed are from a State run by another.
What is the way forward?
In the present case, it is true that the Centre has a major role in the pandemic response.
The Disaster Management Act has been invoked to specify guidelines on lockdowns and relaxations and to ensure smooth medical supplies.
However, in the larger interest, it is better if events and discussions are held without undermining the political structures at the States.
