Towhatextent,inyouropinion,asthedecentralisationofpowerinIndiachangedthegovernancelandscapeatthegrassroots?explainin10paragraphs
Decentralisation of power in India has had far-reaching implications on the governance landscape at the grassroots level. At the outset, it has helped to bring governance closer to the people, making it more responsive and accountable. The decentralisation process has been initiated through the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution, which have mandated the formation of local government bodies such as Panchayats, Municipal Corporations and Nagar Palikas.
The 73rd Amendment, enacted in 1993, has provided a legal framework for the formation of Panchayati Raj institutions at the village, block and district level. These institutions are empowered to take decisions on matters such as local taxation, public works and public health, thereby providing a platform for local governance. This has allowed people from the villages and remote areas to be involved in the decision-making process, thus making the governance system more inclusive.
The 74th Amendment, enacted in 1992, has provided a legal framework for the formation of Municipal Corporations and Nagar Palikas at the urban level. This has helped to bring the governance system closer to the citizens in urban areas, enabling them to have a greater say in the decision-making process.
Decentralisation has also resulted in the devolution of powers and resources to local government bodies. This has enabled the local government bodies to plan, finance and implement development projects in their respective areas. This has led to the emergence of new governance models such as the Gram Swaraj, which is based on the principles of self-governance and collective decision-making. This has helped to strengthen the democratic process at the local level and has resulted in better governance.
Furthermore, decentralisation has also enabled the local government bodies to take up local issues and address them more effectively. This has resulted in a more participatory form of governance, wherein citizens are actively involved in the decision-making process. This has led to the emergence of new forms of governance, such as the Community Based Planning, which is based on the principles of people’s participation in the planning and implementation of development projects.
Finally, decentralisation has also enabled the local government bodies to access external resources and funding. This has allowed them to take up projects and programs that are of relevance to the local population and to develop the local infrastructure. This has helped to improve the quality of life at the grassroots level and to reduce the disparities between rural and urban areas.
In conclusion, the decentralisation of power in India has had a profound impact on the governance landscape at the grassroots level. It has enabled the local government bodies to become more responsive and accountable, and has resulted in the emergence of new forms of governance such as Gram Swaraj and Community Based Planning. It has also enabled the local government bodies to access external resources and funding, thus helping to improve the quality of life at the grassroots level.
One more very niche question I asked from GS2 Mains 2022
Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body. explain in 10 paragraphs
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is a government agency in India that was established to protect the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged groups, also known as backward classes. The NCBC was originally established as a statutory body through the National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993. However, in 2018, the Indian Parliament passed the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Act, which amended the Constitution of India to provide for the establishment of the NCBC as a constitutional body.
This transformation of the NCBC from a statutory body to a constitutional body represents a significant milestone in the government's efforts to address the challenges faced by backward classes in India. As a constitutional body, the NCBC now has a stronger mandate and greater powers to safeguard the interests of these disadvantaged groups.
One of the key responsibilities of the NCBC is to consider the grievances of backward classes and to make recommendations to the government on measures that can be taken to address these grievances. This may include making recommendations on the allocation of resources to improve the socio-economic conditions of backward classes, or suggesting changes to government policies that may be discriminatory or disadvantageous to these groups.
Another important role of the NCBC is to identify which groups should be considered as backward classes. This is a complex and sensitive task, as there are many different criteria that can be used to determine whether a group is socially and economically disadvantaged. The NCBC uses a combination of factors, including income, occupation, education levels, and social status, to identify which groups should be considered as backward classes.
As a constitutional body, the NCBC now has the power to enforce its recommendations through the courts. This means that if the government fails to implement the recommendations of the NCBC, the NCBC can take legal action to ensure that the government takes action to address the grievances of backward classes. This gives the NCBC a stronger ability to hold the government accountable for its actions and to ensure that the interests of backward classes are protected.
The transformation of the NCBC into a constitutional body also provides it with greater financial autonomy. This means that the NCBC now has greater control over its own budget and can decide how to allocate its resources to best serve the needs of backward classes. This is important because it enables the NCBC to be more effective in carrying out its mandate and to respond more quickly to the changing needs of backward classes.
Overall, the transformation of the NCBC into a constitutional body represents a significant step forward in the government's efforts to address the challenges faced by backward classes in India. It provides the NCBC with a stronger mandate, greater powers, and greater autonomy to protect the interests of these disadvantaged groups and to ensure that their rights are safeguarded.
Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two ? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation ?
BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organization that brings together seven countries from the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It is similar to the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), which is a regional organization comprising eight countries in the South Asian region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
One of the main similarities between BIMSTEC and SAARC is that both organizations aim to promote economic cooperation and regional integration among their member countries. Both organizations also focus on addressing common challenges and opportunities facing their member countries, such as promoting trade and investment, improving connectivity, and addressing issues related to poverty and development.
However, there are also some key differences between BIMSTEC and SAARC. One of the main differences is that BIMSTEC includes countries from both South Asia and Southeast Asia, whereas SAARC is limited to South Asian countries. This means that BIMSTEC has a wider geographical reach and a more diverse membership than SAARC. Additionally, BIMSTEC is a relatively new organization, having been established in 1997, whereas SAARC has been in existence since 1985.
In terms of Indian foreign policy objectives, BIMSTEC provides an important platform for India to engage with other countries in the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions. Through BIMSTEC, India can promote its economic and strategic interests in the region, such as enhancing trade and investment ties, improving connectivity, and building stronger political and security ties with other member countries. BIMSTEC also provides India with an alternative forum for regional cooperation, outside of the SAARC, which has been hampered by tensions between India and Pakistan. Overall, BIMSTEC serves as an important tool for India to advance its foreign policy objectives in the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions.
