Decentralisation in India
🏘️ Decentralisation in India
Decentralisation is a form of power-sharing where day-to-day decisions and local administration are handled by local governments. India’s size and diversity make a third tier (below the State) essential — the Local Self-Government.
🗳️ People’s Participation📍 Local Solutions🏛️ 73rd & 74th Amendments
✅ Advantages of Decentralisation
📍 Local knowledge
Locals understand problems & priorities; money is spent where it matters.
🗳️ Direct participation
Citizens help decide; builds democratic habits (local self-governance).
🧠 Less burden on higher tiers
Centre/States can focus on national/state matters; efficiency improves.
🎓 School of democracy
Citizens learn voting, accountability, leadership at the grassroots.
🏛️ Constitutional Status — 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992)
| Provision | What it Ensures |
|---|---|
| 🗳️ Regular elections | Mandatory every 5 years; conducted by the State Election Commission. |
| 👥 Reservations | Seats reserved for SCs/STs/Backward Classes; at least one-third for women (many states: 50%). |
| 💰 Finances | Local taxes, state devolution, and Central/State schemes to fund local bodies. |
🗺️ Three-Tier System (Hierarchy)
🏡 Gram Panchayat
Village level
🧭 Block / Panchayat Samiti
Block/Taluk level
🏛️ Zila Parishad
District level
Rural = Panchayati Raj · Urban = Municipalities / Municipal Corporations
🧩 Local Governments — Who does what?
| Body | Composition & Election | Key Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏡 Gram Panchayat | Ward members (“Panch”) + Sarpanch/Gram Pradhan, directly elected (18+ voters). | Village-level services, local works, beneficiary lists, implementing schemes. | Seats reserved for SC/ST/Women as per rules. |
| 👥 Gram Sabha | All adult voters of the village. | Supervises Panchayat; approves budget; reviews performance (meets 2–3 times/year). | Direct democracy at village level. |
| 🧭 Block Samiti (Panchayat Samiti) | Members from GPs + MLAs/MPs of the block; mix of direct/indirect elections. | Coordinates Gram Panchayats; plans block-level schemes. | Also called Khand/Pradesh Samiti (state-wise names vary). |
| 🏛️ Zila Parishad | Mostly elected members + MPs/MLAs from the district. | District planning; integrates block plans; oversees funds & programmes. | Chairperson is elected; District Collector/CEO is administrative head/exec. officer. |
| 🏙️ Municipal Council / Corporation | Councillors elected by city wards; Mayor is nominal head (Corporation). | Urban services: water, sanitation, roads, streetlights, markets, town planning. | Municipal Chairperson (Council) / Mayor (Corporation). |
📝 Trivia: First Panchayat after Independence — Nagaur (Rajasthan), 2 Oct 1959. DPSP Article 40 urges organisation of village panchayats.
🕊️ Gram Swaraj
Mahatma Gandhi envisioned self-rule through empowered, self-sufficient villages where Panchayats enjoy real autonomy.
⚠️ Disadvantages / Challenges
- ⏳ Irregular elections in some places → entrenched local elites.
- 🧱 Domination by few (wealth/caste) → need for effective reservations & oversight.
- 📉 Ignorance/illiteracy/poverty → low participation and awareness of rights.
- 🗂️ Excessive official control or interference → weak autonomy.
- 💸 Inadequate funds & capacity → stalled development works.
- 🚨 Corruption & weak accountability mechanisms.
💰 Separate Sources of Income — Snapshot
| Tier | Examples of Revenue |
|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 Union | Income & corporation tax, customs/excise, non-tax revenues; devolution to states per Finance Commission. |
| 🏞️ States | State GST share, stamp duty, land revenue, vehicle tax, electricity duty, fees. |
| 🏙️ Local | Property/house tax, water & sanitation charges, local cess; grants from State/Union & schemes. |
🧠 Quick Practice (Class 10)
- Define decentralisation. Why is it crucial for a country like India?
- State three features introduced by the 73rd/74th Amendments.
- Differentiate Gram Panchayat, Block Samiti, and Zila Parishad (any two points).
- Mention two challenges faced by local bodies and suggest remedies.