Cooperative federalism is a concept of a stable relationship between the centre and state governments to coordinate on issues of common interests.
NITI Aayok Initiatives
Meetings between the Prime Minister/Cabinet Ministers and all Chief Ministers; subgroups of Chief Ministers on subjects of national importance;
Sharing of best practices; policy support and capacity development of State/UT functionaries;
launching of the Aspirational Districts Programme for development of backward districts;
Theme-based extensive engagements in various sectors; framing model laws for land leasing and agriculture marketing reforms;
Area-specific interventions for the North-Eastern and Himalayan States and island development.
NITI Aayog has been providing relevant technical advice to the Centre, States and UTs.
NITI has also established models and programmes for the development of infrastructure and to reignite and establish private-public partnership
Examples – The Centre-state partnership model Development Support Services to States and Union Territories (DSSS); and the Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH) programme.
Legislative/Administrative
Separation of Power: Schedule 7 of Constitution provides strict delineation of powers between center and state.
Article 131 of the Constitution, which gives the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases between states and the Centre. Ex: Chhattisgarh moved SC against NIA Act in Jan 2020
Coalition governments: It has increased states’ bargaining power.
Political: In relation to the imposition of President’s rule under Article 356 of the Constitution, federalism is far more mature than what it was earlier
Financial
GST Council: Passing of GST is a shining example of cooperative federalism where States and Centre have ceded their power to tax and come up with a single tax system to realize the dream of one Economic India with ‘One Nation, One Market’.
Since 10th FC, state’s share has been continuously increasing till 14th FC by devolving 42%.
Other Areas
NITI Aayog: Replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission, the Aayog is promoting bottom-up approach to development planning.
Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas involves State’s as equal partners of development. There is a move towards competitive and cooperative federalism.
