Subject: Indian Polity

The judicial interpretation of legislative powers between Centre and States has evolved through landmark judgments, establishing crucial principles of federal governance and constitutional harmony.

Principle of Federal Supremacy

• The doctrine establishes the predominance of Union laws over State laws in case of unavoidable conflict, as seen in cases like State of West Bengal v. Union of India (1963).

• It operates through various constitutional provisions:

  • Article 254 ensures federal supremacy by making Union laws prevail over State laws in concurrent list subjects.
  • Article 246 establishes a clear hierarchy of legislative powers between Union and States.

• The principle manifests in resolving inter-state water disputes like the recent Kaveri River dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where central intervention takes precedence.

Doctrine of Harmonious Construction

• This doctrine aims to reconcile seemingly conflicting provisions to maintain constitutional integrity and federal balance.

• Key features include:

  • Interpretation that gives effect to both Central and State laws without nullifying either.
  • Resolution of conflicts while preserving the federal structure.
  • Balancing regional autonomy with national unity.

• Recent applications include:

  • Resolution of border disputes between Maharashtra-Karnataka (Belgaum issue).
  • Addressing resource-sharing conflicts in Krishna and Mahanadi river waters.

Impact on Indian Federalism

• These principles have strengthened India's cooperative federalism by:

  • Providing clear guidelines for power distribution.
  • Establishing mechanisms for dispute resolution.
  • Ensuring harmonious Center-State relations.

• Challenges addressed include:

  • Overlapping jurisdictions in concurrent list subjects.
  • Inter-state conflicts over resources and boundaries.
  • Balance between regional aspirations and national interests.

India's constitutional framework, enriched by these judicial interpretations, demonstrates a unique blend of "unity in diversity" where federal supremacy coexists with state autonomy through the application of harmonious construction, as evidenced in recent cases like the Krishna River Management Board decisions and inter-state boundary resolutions.