The Dynamics of Multilevel Federalism in India with a Special Reference to Rural Local Governments

Federalism, in its rudimentary essence, denotes the partitioning of legislative and executive authority between a central governing body and regional governing entities, thereby enabling each government to operate autonomously within its respective domain. The perpetual discourse and deliberation surrounding the notion of federalism persistently captivate the intellectual community and statespersons both globally and within the context of India. Following its attainment of independence, the Republic of India, in its wisdom, embraced the doctrine of federalism as a strategic mechanism to foster cohesion and solidarity within the nation-state. In light of the constitutional and non-constitutional evolutions within the realm of Indian politics, it is evident that the essence of federalism is undergoing a transformative process within the nation. The concept of federalism is currently confronted with a multitude of challenges that manifest themselves both at the structural and functional dimensions. It becomes imperative to delve deeper into the dynamics of centre-state relations, as potential significant transformations may ensue. The author, through this paper, would inquire into the working of the federal structure with special reference to working of third tier government at rural level.