local government

Since Independence in 1947 and its growth as a democracy, India has increasingly moved towards decentralisation of government and the use of participatory approaches at the local level. Central to decentralisation is the Panchayat Raj Institution (PRIs), which despite being firmly established must still overcome resistance from bureaucrats fearing loss of power and apathy among communities due to casteism. This paper examines the approaches of two Indian communities towards local services planning and delivery.

This report is about innovative ways of strengthening local governance in India. Drawing from various case studies, the conceptual underpinnings of participation in local governance are highlighted. In particular, the report explores the potential of community-based indicators and social auditing techniques to help India to work from below. It highlights techniques that enhance local governance through participation, while examining where techniques work in encouraging participative local governance and why.

This study captures the hopes and aspirations, concerns and needs of ordinary Indian citizens throughout the country. It had the following three basic questions: 1. What is your view of a 'good society'? To what extent does such a society exist today? 2. In such a 'good society', what roles are best played by citizens and what roles are best played by state institutions and other sectors? 3. What would enable citizens to play their roles more effectively in the development of such a society in the future?

The author of this report visited 12 project sites in India where participatory bottom-up planning processes were initiated by local NGOs in collaboration and partnership with local communities and Panchayati Raj Institutions. The first part of the report raises questions on this process, emphasizing that if 'local self-government' is to be fulfilled as a democratic ideal, then the elected bodies have to be given encompassing responsibility over local matters and be held accountable for these matters by their voters.