There are three tiers of Government in India. Every tier governs the same citizens, but they have different jurisdictions. They govern matters like legislation, taxation and administration. The constitution of India explains the different jurisdictions of levels of the government.
The three-tier system of government is constitutionally guaranteed. Originally, the constitution contained only a two-tier system of government. They are the Union Government and the Central Government. Later, a third tier was introduced. It contains Panchayats and Municipalities. All these tiers have separate jurisdictions.
There is a fourth-tier of government that can be seen mostly in Bangladeshi countries. Gram Parishad comes under the fourth tier.
What are the Three Tiers of Government in India?
The three-tier system is a system in which the government is divided into three levels.
• Central Government
• State Government
• Panchayati Raj and Municipalities
- Central Government – The Central Government, handles the issues of the entire country. It is also responsible for handling foreign matters in India.
- State Government – The State Government handles the issues and affairs of the given state in India. It works on a state level. Its jurisdiction works at the state level.
- Panchayati Raj – It works in the village, municipality, and rural areas.
- Municipalities – It works in the district or town. Municipalities have local government.
Need for a Three-tier Government in India
In 1935, the Government of India was divided into Provincial and Federal levels. The act of division of powers, such as the Provincial List and the Federal List in 1935 Act, paved the way for 7 in the constitution. However, the concurrent list did not cover many residuary topics in which both the state and the Central Government had the power to make law.
The government made many committees focus on granting power to the root levels. Village Panchayat suggested another tier of government. The Balwant Rai Mehta committee highlighted Democratic Decentralisation. It also provided a framework for the three tiers of government. The Constitutionalisation of Panchayat Raj was highlighted by committees such as the GVK Rao and LM Singhvi.
Constitutional Provisions and Amendments
Article 245 of the Indian constitution states that:
- The Parliament has the power to pass any law regarding legislation for the whole country or extraterritorial operation
- The State legislature can only pass a law in a state or any part of it
Article 246 of the Indian Constitution states that
- Parliament can enact legislation on topics that are mentioned in the union list
- The state can enact laws on topics mentioned in the state list
- Whereas in the concurrent list, both the state and the union have the power to enact legislation
- The 73rd amendment act of 1992 consists of the Eleventh Schedule to the constitution and 16 articles
- The 73rd Amendment foresees the Gram Sabha because of the foundation of the Panchayat Raj system and the State Legislature’s charge power
- The 74th amendment act of 1992 consists of the Twelfth Schedule to the constitution and 18 articles
- The 74th Amendment foresees urban local bodies and the Municipalities because the State Legislatures charge the foundation of the Local bodies system to function and power
Significance of the Three-tier Government
Central Level
A centralised body makes laws regarding issues such as foreign relations, allotment of common resources, and defence. In addition, the Central Government works as a coordinator for securing unity in the country.
State Level
This level of government manages issues at the State level. It also ensures proper division of the powers established in the jurisdiction, mentioned in articles 246 and 245. Topics like health care, infrastructure, and agriculture are kept under the supervision of the State Government.
Local Body Level
They are responsible for constructing development infrastructure like transportation and roads. They also preserve and create community assets. Agricultural development like managing and controlling water management and minor irrigation soil conservation are also supervised. They also encourage animal husbandry, poultry, and dairy production. On the local level, they control health and education also.
Challenges
There are quite a few challenges that a three-tier system of government has to face. They are:
- Overlapping Jurisdiction: Schedules 7, 11, and 12 comprise exclusive divisions. Some of the topics in these divisions are overlapping, including gambling regulation
- Concurrent List: If both the centre and the state have legislation on a particular topic, the concurrent list comes to the rescue
- Residuary Powers: The residuary powers lie in the hand of the Central Government while the three levels do not have equal powers
- Grass-Root Level: The local bodies like the Panchayats and Municipalities depend on the state for devolving their powers and funds Instead of acting independently, they depend on the state for the decisions
Conclusion
The Indian government is federal. It contains some of the features of the Unitary Government. The Union, State, and Local bodies want separation of power, but not in the literal sense. The three-tier Government of India looks after the welfare of Indians on three different levels.
There are quite a few challenges that the three-tier system of government has to face. It includes overlapping jurisdiction, concurrent list, residuary powers, and grass-roots level. The three-tier government is important because it looks after the issues and needs of the country’s people. The welfare of the people depends on their shoulders.
