A. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
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Constitution of India |
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Union List |
State List |
Concurrent List |
Residuary Powers |
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Includes subjects like
Union Legislature alone can make laws on these matters. |
Includes subjects like
Normally only the State Legislature can make laws on these matters. |
Includes subjects like
Both Union & State Legislature can make laws on these matters. |
Include all other matters not mentioned in any of the Lists.
Union Legislature alone has the power to legislate on such matters. |
A.1. Functions and Responsibilities of the Union
The central executive body of the government, the Cabinet, performs a number of functions, in which its role is crucial and decisive.
These functions and responsibilities may be mentioned as follows:
- Formulation, implementation, evaluation and revision of public policy in various fields, which the ruling party desires to progress and practice.
- Coordination between various ministries and other organs of government, which may be prone to conflict, wastefulness, duplication of functions and empire building.
- Preparation and monitoring of the legislative agenda, under which the policies of the government are implemented through statutory enactments.
- Executive control over the administration through appointments, rule making powers and handling natural and political crises and disasters.
- Financial management through fiscal control and operation of funds such as the Consolidated Fund of India and the Contingency Fund.
- Planning and review of the functions of the Planning Commission.
A.2. Functions and responsibilities of the state
State government is defined as the government of the subdivisions of the country and it shares political power with the national government. In India, state governments are the governments below the central government. Each state of the country is governed by a state government.
- The functions and responsibilities of the state governments are as follows:
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Management of different departments |
State governments have different departments for the efficient running of the state. States have jurisdiction over education, agriculture, public health, sanitation, hospitals and dispensaries and many other departments. |
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Internal Security |
State governments have to maintain internal security, law and order in the state. Internal security is managed through the state police. |
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Public order |
States have jurisdiction over police and public order. |
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Agriculture |
State governments have to provide assistance to farmers, funds for best agricultural practices, disease prevention, and support during disasters such as floods or droughts. |
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Finance |
The State Legislature handles the financial powers of the state, including the authorization of all expenditure, taxation, and borrowing by the state government. It has the power to make money bills. It has control over taxes on entertainment and property and sales tax. |
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Reservation of Bills |
The Governor of a State can reserve any bill for the consideration of the President. |
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Transport |
The state government runs trains, trams, buses and ferry services and other public transport in the state’s cities and towns. |
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Water Supply |
Water supply to cities and towns for drinking purposes including irrigation for farmers is the responsibility of the state governments. |
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Budget |
State governments prepare the budget for the state. |