Question

Article 1 of the Constitution delineates India as a ‘Union of States’, comprising regions that have been organised into States and as Union Territories. The existence of Union Territories is a departure from the federal form of Government. Give reasons.

Answer 1

1. Direct Central Control: UTs are administered by the President through appointed administrators, destroying the independent dual-government structure required for federalism.
2. No Sovereign Power: UTs do not possess independent legislative powers; Parliament can make laws for them on any subject, including those on the State List.
3. Restricted Local Legislatures: Most UTs lack assemblies, and even those with legislatures (like Delhi) have their laws overridden by the Central Government.
4. Unequal Representation: Several UTs have no representation in the Rajya Sabha, leaving them without a voice in federal decision-making.
5. Vulnerable Boundaries: Parliament can unilaterally destroy, alter, or downgrade a state into a UT without local consent, undermining territorial integrity.