In this blog, we are going to learn how the state government works. India is a union of states. It has 28 states and seven union territories. To carry on the smooth functioning of the states is an uphill task. Hence, there is a need for a state government. The constitution of India describes the organization, powers, and functions of the state government.

How The State Government Works?

The organization of the state government includes the governor, the state legislature, and the state council of ministers. At the top is the governor, then we have an Executive containing the chief minister and his council of ministers. And at the other end is the state legislature. The state legislature is further divided into legislative assembly and legislative council.

Powers of the state government

In the federal system, the government for the entire country is known as the union government while that for every state is known as state government. Both governments operate within the limits set for them by the constitution. The state governments make their policies considering the needs of their respective states. The union government cannot take away the powers of the state governments without their consent, nor can it interfere in the affairs of the state government.

The constitution has made a clear-cut division between the powers of the two governments. Three lists- the union list, the state list, and the concurrent list contain the details of these powers.

The union list consists of subjects of national importance like defense, external affairs, currency, railways, communications, banking, post, and telegraph. Laws on these subjects can be made by the union government only.

Similarly, the state list contains subjects like maintaining law and order in the state, police, health, transport, land policies, etc, on which only the state can make laws. However, in times of emergency laws on state subjects can be made by the central government also. The concurrent list includes subjects like education, forests, electricity, labor welfare, etc. both the central and state government are empowered to legislate on these subjects.

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