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Chapter 8: Local Government from the NCERT textbook Indian Constitution at Work explores the significance, structure, and challenges of local governance in India. It highlights how local governments enable grassroots democracy, allowing ordinary citizens to participate in decision-making processes that address their daily needs, such as water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure. The chapter traces the historical evolution of local government, the impact of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992), and the challenges faced by local bodies, including limited autonomy and financial constraints. These notes provide a clear and concise summary for revision and exam preparation.
Table of Contents
Explore Notes of Class 11 Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
Why Local Government?
Local government refers to governance at the village, town, or city level, bringing administration closer to the people. It ensures that local knowledge and interests shape democratic decision-making, making governance efficient and people-friendly. The chapter illustrates this through examples like Geeta Rathore, a Sarpanch in Madhya Pradesh, who transformed her village by addressing issues like water management and women’s rights, and the Vengaivasal Gram Panchayat in Tamil Nadu, which successfully challenged a land acquisition order, asserting its constitutional rights.
Key Features of the Local Government:
Local government plays a vital role in managing community needs. It focuses on services like waste, water, and local roads, ensuring citizens’ daily lives run smoothly and efficiently. Here are the key features of the local government that you should know.
- Grassroots Democracy: Local governments involve common citizens in decisions affecting their lives, fostering participation and accountability.
- Proximity to People: Being close to communities, local governments are accessible, enabling quick and cost-effective problem-solving.
- Protection of Local Interests: As seen in Vengaivasal, local bodies can safeguard community rights against external interventions.
- Empowerment through Leadership: Leaders like Geeta Rathore demonstrate how local governance empowers individuals, especially women, to drive change.
- Accountability: Strong local governments, as shown in both stories, ensure accountability through active citizen engagement.
Importance of Local Government:
Local government is vital for deepening democracy by enabling direct participation and ensuring that local needs are addressed efficiently. It empowers communities, particularly marginalised groups like women, and protects local interests, as evidenced by the Vengaivasal case. The chapter emphasises that local governance reduces the burden on higher governments and fosters accountability, making it essential for inclusive and responsive administration.
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Growth of Local Government in India
Local government in India has evolved from ancient village assemblies (sabhas) to modern constitutional bodies. Traditional panchayats resolved village issues, but modern local governance began with Lord Ripon’s local boards in 1882. The Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935 furthered this trend, while Mahatma Gandhi advocated for decentralised power through village panchayats. Post-independence, local government was assigned to states under the Constitution’s Directive Principles, but its development was initially limited due to unitary biases and concerns about rural factionalism.
Key Developments of Local Government in India:
Local government in India has evolved significantly, empowering communities through decentralisation and improved governance, shaping the country’s democratic and development processes at the grassroots level. Here are the key developments of Local Government in India:
- Historical Roots: Village sabhas and panchayats existed in ancient India, evolving into modern local bodies.
- Colonial Initiatives: Lord Ripon’s 1882 local boards marked the beginning of elected local governance, followed by the 1919 and 1935 Acts.
- Gandhi’s Vision: Emphasised decentralisation for effective local involvement and participatory democracy.
- Constitutional Status: Initially under Directive Principles, local government was non-justiciable, reflecting concerns about national unity and rural social divisions.
- Post-Independence Efforts: The Community Development Programme (1952) and early Panchayati Raj systems in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra aimed to promote local participation, though with limited powers.
Local Governments in Independent India
Post-independence, local government faced challenges due to limited powers and financial dependence. The Community Development Programme (1952) promoted local participation, but many states relied on indirect elections or dissolved local bodies. The P.K. Thungon Committee (1989) recommended constitutional recognition, leading to the 73rd and 74th Amendments in 1992, which came into force in 1993, granting local bodies constitutional status and uniformity.
Here are some of the things that you should know about Local Government in Independent India:
- Early Challenges: Local bodies lacked autonomy, faced dissolution, and depended on state and central governments for funds.
- Community Development Programme (1952): Encouraged local participation in development but had limited impact due to insufficient powers.
- P.K. Thungon Committee (1989): Recommended constitutional recognition, periodic elections, and devolution of functions and funds.
- Constitutional Amendments: The 73rd (rural) and 74th (urban) Amendments formalised local government as the third tier, ensuring elections and reservations.
- State Role: Local government remains a state subject, but states had to align laws with the amendments within a year.
73rd Amendment
The 73rd Amendment (1992) established a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj system for rural local governance, comprising Gram Panchayats, Mandal (Block) Panchayats, and Zila Panchayats. It aimed to empower rural communities through direct elections, reservations, and devolution of functions.
Key Provisions of 73rd Amendment
- Three-Tier Structure: Gram Panchayat (village), Mandal Panchayat (block), and Zila Panchayat (district), with smaller states optionally excluding the intermediary level.
- Gram Sabha: Comprises all adult voters in a panchayat area, with roles defined by state legislation, ensuring community oversight.
- Elections: Direct elections every five years, with mandatory re-elections within six months if a panchayat is dissolved.
- Reservations: One-third of seats and leadership positions reserved for women, with proportional reservations for SCs, STs, and optionally OBCs.
- Transfer of Subjects: 29 subjects (e.g., agriculture, education) listed in the 11th Schedule to be transferred to panchayats, subject to state legislation.
- Adivasi Areas: A 1996 act extends Panchayati Raj to tribal areas, protecting traditional resource management with enhanced Gram Sabha powers.
- State Election Commissioner: An independent officer conducts panchayat elections, free from state government control.
- State Finance Commission: Reviews and recommends financial allocations to rural local bodies every five years.
The 73rd Amendment is a landmark in decentralising power, ensuring democratic participation through direct elections and reservations, particularly for women and marginalised groups. It strengthens rural governance by assigning development functions and protecting tribal customs, while independent election and finance commissions enhance autonomy and accountability.
74th Amendment
The 74th Amendment (1992) formalised urban local governance (Nagarpalikas), covering municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats. It mirrors the 73rd Amendment’s provisions for elections, reservations, and devolution, tailored to urban needs.
Key Provisions of 74th Amendment:
- Urban Local Bodies: Municipal corporations (large cities), municipalities (smaller towns), and nagar panchayats (transitional areas).
- Urban Area Definition: Minimum population of 5,000, 75% male workforce in non-agricultural occupations, and population density of at least 400 per sq. km.
- Elections and Reservations: Direct elections every five years, with one-third seats reserved for women and proportional reservations for SCs, STs, and optionally OBCs.
- Transfer of Subjects: 18 subjects (e.g., urban planning, public health) listed in the 12th Schedule, subject to state legislation.
- State Election and Finance Commissions: Apply to urban bodies, ensuring independent elections and financial reviews.
The 74th Amendment addresses the challenges of urbanisation by empowering urban local bodies to manage issues like infrastructure and public health. It promotes inclusive governance through reservations and ensures democratic continuity through regular elections, making urban administration responsive to citizens’ needs.
Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments
Since 1993, states have implemented the 73rd and 74th Amendments, conducting at least two rounds of elections by 2004. Over 32 lakh representatives, including 13 lakh women, are elected to more than 600 Zila Panchayats, 6,000 block panchayats, 2.4 lakh Gram Panchayats, and various urban bodies. However, challenges like limited autonomy and financial dependence persist.
Key Outcomes of Implementation are:
- Scale of Representation: Over 32 lakh elected members, with significant women’s representation (e.g., 80,000 women sarpanchas, 30 women mayors).
- Social Inclusion: Reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs make local bodies more representative, though tensions arise with dominant groups.
- Limited Autonomy: Many states have not transferred all 29 (rural) or 18 (urban) subjects, restricting local bodies’ effectiveness.
- Financial Constraints: Local bodies raise only 0.24% of total revenues but account for 4% of expenditure, relying heavily on state and central grants.
- Women’s Empowerment: Reservations have increased women’s participation, though some face challenges as proxies for male relatives.
The implementation of the amendments highlights the success of increasing democratic representation, particularly for women and marginalised groups. However, it also underscores the need to address challenges like limited devolution and financial dependency to fully realise the potential of local governance in empowering communities.
Important Definitions in NCERT Class 11 Political Science Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 8: Local Government
This section clarifies key terms of this chapter for revision:
- Local Government: Governance at the village, town, or city level, enabling citizen participation in addressing local needs.
- Panchayati Raj: A three-tier rural governance system (Gram Panchayat, Mandal Panchayat, Zila Panchayat) established by the 73rd Amendment.
- Nagarpalikas: Urban local bodies (municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats) established by the 74th Amendment.
- Gram Sabha: All adult voters in a panchayat area, overseeing the Gram Panchayat’s functioning.
- 11th and 12th Schedules: Lists of 29 (rural) and 18 (urban) subjects assigned to local bodies for development and welfare.
- State Election Commissioner: An independent officer responsible for conducting local body elections.
- State Finance Commission: Reviews and recommends financial allocations to local governments every five years.
- Reservations: Constitutional provisions reserving seats for women, SCs, STs, and optionally OBCs in local bodies.
Explore Notes of Class 11 Political Science: Political Theory
Download the Solutions of Other Chapters of Class 11 Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
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FAQs
Local government promotes grassroots democracy, enabling citizens to address local issues like water and sanitation, and ensures accountability, as seen in Geeta Rathore’s and Vengaivasal’s stories.
The 73rd Amendment (1992) establishes the Panchayati Raj system for rural areas, and the 74th Amendment formalises urban local bodies (Nagarpalikas), granting them constitutional status.
The Gram Sabha, comprising all adult voters, monitors the Gram Panchayat, ensuring community oversight and participation.
Challenges include limited devolution of subjects, financial dependency on state and central grants, and social tensions with dominant groups.
Reservations for women (one-third), SCs, STs, and OBCs ensure diverse representation, empowering marginalised groups, though some women face proxy representation issues.
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