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Ch 08 - Local governments11th Indian Constitution at Work

Local Government: Definition & Advantage

What is the core definition and primary democratic advantage of 'Local Government'?

DEFINITION

Government at the Doorstep

Definition: Government operating at the village and district level, situated closest to the common people.
Core Advantage: It directly involves ordinary citizens in managing their day-to-day lives and local problems.
Efficiency: It allows citizens to approach the government to solve immediate issues quickly and with minimum cost.
Principle: It is built on the belief that local knowledge and local interest are essential for effective democratic decision-making.

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The Principle of Subsidiarity

What is the 'Principle of Subsidiarity' in the context of democratic decentralization?

CONCEPT

Power at the Lowest Competent Level

The Concept: The governance principle stating that functions should be performed by the level of government closest to the people, provided they can execute them effectively.
The Application: Central and State governments should only handle tasks that cannot be managed at the local level (e.g., national defense, state highways).
Significance: This philosophical principle provides the core justification for transferring powers, funds, and responsibilities to Panchayats and Municipalities.

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Gandhi's Vision vs. Ambedkar's Fear

How did Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar fundamentally differ on the role of Village Panchayats?

DISTINCTION

Decentralization vs. Social Reality

Mahatma Gandhi: Believed that 'Independence must begin at the bottom.' He championed profound decentralization, arguing that every village should be a self-sustained republic capable of managing its own affairs.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Was highly skeptical of empowering traditional village structures. He feared the factionalism and caste-ridden nature of rural society would defeat the purpose of equitable local government, famously calling villages 'dens of localism, ignorance, and narrow-mindedness.'

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Also in this chapter

39 more cards to study in Prism

4Article 40: Directive Principles
5British Era Initiatives: Mayo vs. Ripon
6Community Development Programme (1952)
7Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)
8Ashok Mehta Committee (1977)
9G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985)
10L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986)
11P.K. Thungon Committee (1989)
12The 64th Amendment Bill (1989)
13The Historic 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992)
14National Panchayati Raj Day
1573rd Amendment: The Three-Tier Structure
16Definition of Gram Sabha
17Gram Sabha vs. Gram Panchayat
18Panchayat Election Procedures
19Dissolution and Re-election Rules
20Election Qualifications (Article 243F/V)
21The Two-Child Norm Controversy
22Reservation Policy in Local Bodies
23Impact of Women's Reservation
24The 'Sarpanch Pati' Phenomenon
25Functions of Panchayats: 11th Schedule
26State Election Commission (SEC)
27Bar on Judicial Interference (Article 243-O)
28State Finance Commission (SFC)
29Exempted Areas (Article 243M)
30PESA Act (1996)
3174th Amendment: Municipalities
32Defining an 'Urban Area'
33Ward Committees (Article 243S)
34District Planning Committee (DPC)
35Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC)
36The Challenge of Fiscal Dependence
37The Problem with 'Tied' Funds
38SVAMITVA Scheme: Empowering Panchayats
39Bureaucracy vs. Local Democracy
40Mani Shankar Aiyar Committee (2013)
41Case Study: Vengaivasal Gram Panchayat
42Comparative Case Study: Bolivia (1994)

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11th Indian Constitution at Work

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