পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).pdf/৬০০

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড
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 All the political parties in the country demand provincial autonomy, although here are material differences among them about the nature and extent of provincial autonomy. Provincial autonomy in simple terms means that the provinces shall he the masters of their own house. It signifies that the powers of the government shall be divided between the federal government and the governments of the federating units in such a manner that the Federal and provincial governments are each, within a sphere, co-ordinate and independent. Each government is independent within its own sphere of authority. The constitution demarcates powers between the federal government and the government of the federating units. Neither is superior to the other; they exist as partners in a commonwealth. Neither government can make inroads into the jurisdiction of the other. The actual allocation of powers between the two sets of governments cannot be altered by either acting alone. This is the meaning of provincial autonomy,

 The exact quantum of powers to be given to each government, provincial and federal, depends on a number of factors: geography, political situation, the economic issues, history, and exigencies of circumstance. These are not uniform in all federations. There is nothing unusual about it. What is true of the U. S. is not true of Canada. The conditions in Pakistan differ from those in many other countries.

 There are various methods of dividing powers between the federal and provincial governments. First, the powers of the federal government may be enumerated and the residue may be vested in the provinces or states. Second, the powers of both the federal government and provincial governments may be enumerated. The residue may be vested in either of the two governments. Third, there may be a three-fold list: a federal list' a provincial list, and a concurrent list. Both the governments may make laws on the matter included in the concurrent list but in case of a conflict between the two laws the federal laws shall prevail.

 I propose to discuss the exact powers given to the federal or central government in Pakistan under the Government of India Act, 1935, as adapted and amended in the light of the Indian Independence Act, 1947, and the constitutions of 1956 and 1962. The main powers of the central government under the constitutional arrangements as stated above were almost identical, although the central government had more powers under the constitution of 1962 than under the two previous constitutional systems. After stating the powers of Central government, I shall discuss the use made of these powers by the Central government and the consequences that have stemmed out of it. This will go a long way in explaining the background of the demand for provincial autonomy and also the nature and extent of provincial autonomy that is now demanded.