The Powers of the State
The rights of the Central Government and the States sparked intense debate in the Constituent Assembly. Jawaharlal Nehru advocated for a strong Centre, arguing that a weak central authority would harm the country’s interests by failing to ensure peace, coordinate national matters, and represent the nation effectively on the global stage. The Constitution proposed three lists of subjects: Union, State, and Concurrent. The first list was exclusively for the Centre, the second for the States, and the third shared responsibility between the Centre and the states.
Certain items were placed solely under Union control, while others were placed on the Concurrent list, despite objections from the provinces. The Union also had authority over minerals and key industries. Article 356 empowered the Centre to take over a state administration based on the Governor’s recommendation. The Constitution established a complex system of fiscal federalism. The Centre retained all revenue from certain taxes like customs duties and company taxes, shared others like income tax and excise duties with the states, and assigned some entirely to the states, such as estate duties. States could independently levy taxes such as land and property taxes, sales taxes, and the lucrative tax on bottled liquor.
Chapter 12 The Powers of the State| Class 12 History Notes
Class 12 History Notes Chapter 12: These notes for Class 12 History Chapter 12 “The Powers of the State” are made by subject experts to help students prepare for their board exams. They simply explain complex ideas so that students can understand them easily.
Understanding how power is divided between the Central Government and the states is important for students studying History. These notes make it easier for students to learn about federalism and governance, which are important topics in their syllabus. By using these notes, students can improve their understanding and do well in their exams.
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