Johnson, Craig. 2003. Decentralization in India: Poverty, Politics and Panchayati Raj.
http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/1767.pdf
Panchayats, 'village republic' are in existence in India since 2000 BC. In 1992, the 73rd Amendment gave village, block and district level bodies (panchayats) a constitutional status. The Amendment guarantees the participation of traditionally excluded groups, such as women, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the panchayats and of all eligible voter within a Gram Panchayat area in the Gram Sabha at the village level (for panchayat administrative structure, please see my previous post.) The degree of decentralization varies from state to state. Johnson analyzes the problems most commonly associated with a lack of decentralization in India are States that are unwilling to develop substantive power, a resistant bureaucracy, and local elite capture.
Toko Sakamaki
Toko,
ReplyDeleteThe successful decentralization of governance and administrative structures is critical. For Americans the extent of centralization of governance and administration in India, as compared to the US, can be difficult to understand. In my view, the problem first arose from the centralization of administrative structures under British rule as well as the their denying legitimacy to existing local governance institutions such as Panchayats. Once India became independent, its adoption as socialism and a more dominant role of the state also contributed to centralization. In my mind, effective decentralization is key to effective governance at the local level and a better alignment of accountability with responsibility.