A Constituent Assembly member wrote to its President that a weak central authority would be incapable of ensuring peace. Which provision of the Draft Constitution matched this view?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Article 356 let the Centre take over a state administration on the Governor's recommendation
Option (1) Fewer items were placed on the Concurrent list than were desired by the provinces — Incorrect. This is reversed. More items were placed on the Concurrent list than desired by the provinces.
Option (2) The states could levy sales tax and the tax on bottled liquor on their own — Incorrect. These taxes were left to the states. That gave the states their own income, so it does not add to the Centre's power.
Option (3) Estate duties were assigned to the states under the system of fiscal federalism — Incorrect. Estate duties went wholly to the states. This gave the states more income, so it worked for the states' side of the debate.
Option (4) Article 356 let the Centre take over a state administration on the Governor's recommendation — Correct. The member is Jawaharlal Nehru, who wanted a strong Centre. Article 356, which let the Centre take over a state administration, added to central power.
NCERT (2026-27): “4. The Powers of the State “The Draft Constitution provided for three lists of subjects: Union, State, and Concurrent. The subjects in the first list were to be the preserve of the Central Government, while those in the second list were vested with the states. As for the third list, here Centre and state shared responsibility. However, many more items were placed under exclusive Union control than in other federations, and more placed on the Concurrent list too than desired by the provinces. The Union also had control of minerals and key industries. Besides, Article 356 gave the Centre the powers to take over a state administration on the recommendation of the Governor.” |