Articles by Ghayur Alam

compounded not only by giving weightage to Centrally-sponsored schemes in different areas of development which fall within the sphere of responsibility of the states, but also by more detailed supervision by Central authorities of the allocation of funds and their deployment under these schemes. This is bound to hamstring the initiative of the states in the implementation of these schemes in the light of local conditions and circumstances. Such a dispensation is bound to create frictions and tensions in Centre- State relations which will in due course find political expressions in a variety of ways and forms. The fact is that the Prime Minister does not subscribe and is indeed allergic to the concept and principles of a federal polity. He is fond of insisting that India is not a federal set-up but is a union in which Central authority is supreme and must prevail in regulating relations between the Centre and states. This is the basic position which colours his views on strengthening national unity and integration.