Q10.The Indian Constitution exhibits centralizing tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts.

India's Constitution is quasi-federal, designed with a strong unitary bias to maintain national unity and integrity, especially during crises, ensuring a cohesive national response.

Constitutional Provisions Enabling Centralization

Centralizing tendencies are enabled by provisions like the Concurrent List, Article 249 (Parliament's power on State List in national interest), Article 250 (during emergency), and Article 253 (for international agreements).

Legislative Examples Illustrating Centralization

Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

This Act empowers Union and State governments to take special measures and prescribe regulations to prevent disease outbreaks. During COVID-19, the Centre issued nationwide directives, overriding normal state autonomy for public health.

Disaster Management Act, 2005

It establishes a hierarchical structure with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at its apex. The Union is empowered to issue binding directions to states for coordinated disaster response, ensuring a unified national approach.

Farm Acts, 2020

These Union legislations on agriculture and markets, traditionally state subjects, demonstrated the Centre's assertion of legislative power by citing Concurrent List entries. This centralizing move led to significant federal tensions.

These acts exemplify how the constitutional framework allows the Centre greater control in specific domains to ensure national cohesion and effective governance, sometimes creating federal friction.