Article 131 of the Indian Constitution bestows exclusive jurisdiction upon the Supreme Court in disputes arising between states and the central government. This provision plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power and resolving conflicts within India’s federal structure.
Understanding Article 131
Article 131 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court exclusive and original jurisdiction in disputes involving states and the central government.
Key Points
- Original jurisdiction: The power of the court to hear and decide a case in the first instance
- Exclusive jurisdiction: No other court can entertain such disputes
- Applicable to disputes between:
- The Government of India and one or more states
- The Government of India and any state or states on one side and one or more states on the other
- Two or more states
Scope and Limitations
While Article 131 provides a platform for resolving state-centre disputes, its scope is subject to certain limitations and conditions.
Scope:
- Disputes involving legal rights: The dispute must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends
Limitations:
- Not applicable to disputes arising out of treaties, agreements, covenants, or other similar instruments predating the Constitution
- Parliament may exclude the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction in disputes relating to the use, distribution, or control of inter-state river waters
- Does not extend to suits brought by private individuals against the Government of India
Recent Development
Kerala’s Suit and Centre’s Stance A recent case involving the state of Kerala has brought Article 131 into the spotlight. The Supreme Court disapproved of the Centre’s insistence on the withdrawal of Kerala’s suit as a precondition for granting consent to additional borrowing.
| Case Details | Kerala’s Suit against the Centre |
| Dispute | Kerala’s suit against the Centre under Article 131 |
| Centre’s Stance | Insisting on the withdrawal of the suit as a precondition for additional borrowing consent |
| Supreme Court’s View | Disapproved of the Centre’s stance, affirming Kerala’s right to approach the court under Article 131 |
The Supreme Court’s Observations
- Affirmed Kerala’s right to approach the court under Article 131
- Emphasized that a state’s right to file a suit under Article 131 cannot be curtailed
- Disapproved of the Centre’s insistence on the withdrawal of the suit as a precondition
Significance of the Supreme Court’s Stance
- Upholds the federal spirit and the autonomy of states
- Prevents the central government from using its power to coerce states into withdrawing legal proceedings
- Reinforces the role of the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter in state-centre disputes
Dispute Resolution under Article 131
The Supreme Court’s jurisdiction under Article 131 serves as a vital mechanism for resolving disputes between states and the centre.
Process:
- Filing of the suit by the aggrieved state or states
- Court’s examination of the dispute to determine if it falls within the purview of Article 131
- Hearing of arguments and evidence from both parties
- Judgment delivered by the Supreme Court, which is binding on all parties involved
Examples of Disputes under Article 131:
- Disputes related to the distribution of tax revenues between the centre and states
- Conflicts over the sharing of river waters between states
- Challenges to the constitutional validity of central laws by states
Article 131 of the Indian Constitution serves as a crucial safeguard in maintaining the balance of power between states and the centre.
- By granting the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction over such disputes, the article ensures a fair and impartial resolution of conflicts within India’s federal framework.
- The recent case involving Kerala highlights the significance of this provision and the Supreme Court’s role in upholding the rights of states.
- As the final arbiter, the Supreme Court’s decisions under Article 131 contribute to the smooth functioning of India’s federal system and the preservation of constitutional principles.
