1. Discuss the need for local self- government?

The need for local self- government arises out of the growth in size of a modern state and the multiplication of its functions. When the area of a state is too large and the population is too great, it becomes difficult for the government of a state to ably administer the affairs of the state and at the same time look after and attend to the particular needs of a particular area or the people.

Problems of a local nature in the vast area must necessarily differ and these cannot be solved by a uniform treatment. It becomes essential, therefore to decentralize power and hand it over to people in these local areas who can look after those affairs with greater interest, enthusiasm and active participation. They can handle problems like sanitation and primary education and other facilities more efficiently.

In the recent years the Local self Government has been playing a vital role. These local bodiesnot only provide services to the communities but also act as an instrument of democratic self government. Besides the local self government has become an essential part of the nationalgovernment structure. This level of local government is now recognized by the people as they areclose to the citizens and involve them in the decision making process.

2. What are the benefits of local self-government?

(i) In an area where the people are most interested in certain acts of government, it is in the interests of the people to have these acts performed efficiently.

(ii) Economy is secured by local self- government.

(iii) It acts as an agency to educate the people in modern representative system of government.

(iv) It shares the burden of the work of the government.

(v) It provides the necessary information and advice on proposed legislation.

3. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, marks a water-shed in the history of local self-government in the country - Explain.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, marks a water-shed in the history of local self-government in the country since it gives a constitutional mandate to the state governments to restructure and revamp rural local bodies in accordance with constitutional obligations. The Act provides for (i) the creation of three tier system of PRIs - gram panchayat at the village level,Janapad Panchayat at the block level and Zila Panchayat at the district level, with sufficient powers and functions contained in schedule XI of the Act, besides introducing the panchayati raj system as local self government for all states by providing for establishment of Panchayats.

4. State some important developments in the post-independence period with regards to local self- government?

Among the initiatives taken for strengthening of local governance in the post independence period, one sees a beginning having been made in making the local bodies as institutions of popular government by way of including a directive principle in the Constitution of 1949 in theform of Article 40 ,which reads as follows:

"The State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self- government."

As time passed by in 1957, the Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommended for adoption of democratic decentralization by setting up Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and devolution of necessary resources, powers and authority to them. This was soon implemented in Rajasthan,which became the first State to adopt Panchayati Raj in 1959, followed by Andhra Pradesh. By1959 most States were seen to have adopted Panchayats as units of local governance. However,with little devolution of funds and powers, strengthening these institutions of representative democracy didn't get translated into a vigorous reality in our country. Soon after the Ashoka Mehta Committee in 1977 came out with certain relevant recommendations ,which when implemented by our Government proved helpful in improving the functioning of the PRIs and States like West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh were able to set up effective panchayati raj systems within their own states respectively.

5. What are the obligatory functions of local self- government?

The obligatory functions of local self- government are the lighting of streets and public places, water supply, fire-control, registration of births and deaths, primary education, hospitals and dispensaries.

6. What challenges do the local self- government face in the present scenario?

The, local governments can be seen now functioning as the third tier of governance in the wholeof the country. While the constitutional amendments have introduced certain uniformity in the fundamental structure of these bodies at the national level, it being a State subject, State Legislative Acts govern these bodies and set out the limits of their powers, responsibilities,service delivery standards and constitutional obligations with regard to the necessary accounting, audit and oversight.At the State level, these local bodies are required to work in close co-ordination with the Department of Panchayati Raj or Rural Development and the Department of Municipal Administration. At the Central Government level, the various Ministries of Panchayati Raj,Urban Development and Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation and other relevant ministries are in charge of formulation of policies, and sponsor and support programmes, co-ordinate activities of various state governments and monitor programmes implemented by local bodies across the country. While these ministries can at best only influence and encourage these local bodies. Much of their functioning depends upon the functionaries and their level of education, awareness and political disposition and above all commitment to public service.While we can take pride in the fact that elections to these local bodies have widened the base of our constitutional polity, with roughly about 3.6 million directly elected representatives, and no less than 1 million women members, having made it as one of the biggest ever experiments attempted in our country in the direction of deepening of democracy and empowerment at the grassroots level. Further the number of local bodies in the country has now reached over 2.4lakh units.The functioning of this third tier of government now not any more solely dependent upon the mere devolution of resources, subjects and functionaries to the Panchayats and Municipalities.But with increased amount of funds being made available to the local self-governments and the gradual transfer of functions to these units, the question of accountability of these institutions need to be accorded as much priority as the quality of functionaries including the representativesat the local level. As such improvement of accountability of local self-governments in India along with the need for capacity building in their functioning has also become all the more critical in the context of our local governance need immediate attention for their effective functioning as local units of self governance in India.

7. Describe the functions of local self- government in the context of changing circumstances?

(i) to work as local units of self- government.

(ii) to provide local services and public conveniences for making an individual good citizen.

(iii) to ensure planned and regulated development of the urban and rural areas.

(iv) to mobilize local resources and utilize for public welfare.

(v) to promote social, economic and cultural development in an integrated way.

8. Mention the conditions for the success of local self- government ?

(i) Encouragement and guidance that it receives from the central government and the supervision that it exercises over local bodies.

(ii) Wise and helpful supervision which leaves enough scope for the local population to show its intelligence and initiative.

(iii) Adequate sources of revenue to manage the increasing functions properly.

9. Throw light on the defects of local self- government?

(i) It tends to encourage a narrow outlook amongst the people.

(ii) Persons may view every problem from a local angle and place their local interests above national necessity.

(iii) The evils of the party system may also creep into local administration for the promotion of their selfish interest.

10. Suggest ways to overcome the defects of local self- government?

(i) Awareness on the part of every citizen of his own responsibilities.

(ii) Citizens must have civic sense and must put in joint effort to remove such incompetent persons from office at the next election.

(iii) Civic consciousness also implies that the citizen must pay their taxes to the authorities regularly and help to maintain healthy and clear conditions of living.

(iv) Every citizen must understand that he is a part of society and that only active co-operation on his part can improve society.

(v) It is this spirit of give and take, of doing the best that one is capable of in his relation to society, that will improve civic life and strengthen the citizen's faith in local self- government.