The reasons listed for the seventy third
and seventy fourth amendments of the
Constitution 1992 have lamented
on the failures of deep rooting of
Democracy in form of functioning of
Panchayati Raj and Municipalities . The amendment recognizes the the fact
Article 40 has not been enforced and implemented. The
article 40 which states “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.”
The
amendments while accepting failure go further in giving various proposals and
modalities related to it. The amendments of 1992 go in further defining the
roles of third level of Governance viz a viz the second level with regards to
authority, devolution of powers and financial implication of decentralization.
One
aspect on which both the amendments are silent upon is the reason of failure in
implementation of Article 40 or self Governance. With all due respect to our
peers of democracy, it seems that some ready made solution is being implemented
without the diagnosis. Even the symptoms related to the malaise do not seem to
be deliberated upon. Any student of any art or science in the present era will
find it revolting way of solution.
Out of
eighteen indicator to be addressed under NRDMS (Natural Resources
Data Management System) under the twelfth schedule, some require huge investment and other technical inputs which can’t be done by Nagar Panchayats, municipalities or
even corporations. For example Fire
Services listed as seventh of the functional domain of Urban local bodies needs technical expertise on regular basis ,
huge investment ,regular supervision . Similar is required for water supply,
Public health,Sanitation,Poverty alleviation .
Authority without responsibility is a catchy proverb but urban local bodies also seem to suffer from" Authority
without Knowledge."
Some the activities listed in the scheduled can be
transferred to smaller units of local governance or the Mohalla Sabhas . Handling
of “Provision of Public amenities and facilities” can be experimented in this
regard with little fuss and effort .
Part of revenue can be shared between the Mohalla Sabhas or Samitis and
the third layer of local governance. The
requirement of Public amenities in the
locality can be best ascertained by the micro units of governance.
Similarly with a little inputs like
training and continuous communication between the Sabhas and Municipalities , part
of land use and construction of small buildings can be partially off loaded.
Even in the registration of death and birth these micro units can be of great
help to municipalities.
With some of it’s far
flung responsibilities transferred , the municipalities will gain in terms of efficiency and can concentrate on the
larger issues plaguing our urban and semi urban areas. However it will be
temporary measures.
The central government and Judiciary must be applauded in their
effort in ensuring that elections are held in time and for reservation on basis
of Gender and Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The reluctance of power sharing to
the third tier of governance by the
legislative assemblies was immense however the Center and the Courts stood
firm. Some fruits of the power sharing can be seen in the recent pasts in sewage treatment plans , water harvesting schemes of some municipalities Much
more is needed. Most
state governments have still not
transferred some powers to the local governments. Nor have they been given
adequate resources.
The long term solution must flow
from the up keepers of the Constitution. The Parliament must take the lead in
this regard. Reasons of limitations and problems facing the local bodies should
be revisited by the legislature and executive.
The dynamics of Indian Migration , though a complex
phenomenon should be considered in defining ward and ward committees Mohalla
Sabhas can form the basic level of Democratic units in Urban areas.
These Sabhas can be the base in deciding the level of migration from rural areas . The needs of the
locality base on influx should be looked into.
Another need of hour seems to be the resource crunch faced
by these municipalities. Small entrepreneurs should encouraged in People Public
Participation at micro level. Avenues
like FM radio based on broader principle as decided by Center can be revenue
generator for municipalities. It can strengthen the Information system, Traffic and
Policing within the Urban locality.
The micro election within these Mohalla Sabhas can be
introduced at a later stage to enhance the self governance as desired in
Article 40.
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