The blog is dedicated to a noted Economist and a Author of repute who spared his time to the read the unfinished piece. The blogger is well aware of the incoherence in the piece. Still dedicates his crude attempt to the teacher.
Social scientists
agree that there is another divide between Urban,Semi Urban India and Rural
India. It is not based on economic inequality, literacy or human index . This
particular difference in much more relevant than all the factors combined. It
borders on limits of existence even after Sixty odd years of Democratic
rule.The term which comes most near to describe it is "Measure of
Vigilance".
Some factors
which emanate from this "Measure of Vigilance" are right to be heard
,acceptance and duty towards society
The Gram Sabhas
show the real scenario.It has to meet at least twice or thricein a year to
approve the annual budget of the gram panchayat and to review the
performance of the gram panchayat. Gram sabhas offer the public access to
democratic decision making at the grassroots level and it is imperative that
all sections of society participate in such meets.These are seldom held on
scheduled and if held are done in clandestine manner.Even if Gram Sabhas are
held regularly ,most are stage managed.The essence of Panchayti Raj or people
involvement as perceived by the Mahtma has been compromised.
It will not be
a exaggeration when one says that Rural India apes the Urban India in
this age of communication.
When AAP
promise "Mohalla Sabhas" in its swaraj draft social scientists
and those in favor of decentralized power saw a ray of hope. Though
the modalities were far from perfect it was seen as an experiment worth the
risk.
Section of Media has
phooed this draft bill citing paradigm shift in favour of masses .In an opinion
in the Hindustan Times,the author writes that
But these sweeping
powers come with no responsibility because one of the clauses states that no
suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding can be undertaken against ward
sewaks, mohalla sewaks, mohalla sabha representatives and their employees. This
blanket legal protection to the members of mohalla sabhas is against AAP’s
commitment to transparency and accountability in public governance. - See more
at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/aap-s-mohalla-sabha-proposal-is-impractical-for-cities-like-delhi/article1-1182373.aspx#sthash.ogVxbxTo.dpuf.
After the
deepening of democratic norms most of the established democracies face the
challenge of expansion. This involves applying the basic principle of
democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and
institutions. Ensuring greater power to local government is one way to cope up
with the challenge of expansion. Whenever possible ,citizens should be able to
participate in decision making, that affects them . One of the basic outcome of
democracy should be that it produces a government that is responsive to the
needs and expectations of the citizens.
The three tier
governance when enforced in India paid more importance to Village Gram
Panchayats more that the Urban,semi Urban Municipal system. The genesis of non
so successful local governance seems to lie in the sequence in which
it was implemented. Implementation of Sabhas in Mohallas and wards before
Grams could have given better results .The success or the shortcomings of these
Sabhas could have easily fine tuned the implementation of Three Tier
Governance.
Planning of
small infrastructure with little help from expertise can be handed over to
Mohalla Sabhas . The success of a well thought Plan depends on
the succeeding actions like Do,Check and Act only. The centralized
planning as practiced in our part of world has inherent pitfalls.
Even the small plans are executed verified and audited by different
agencies . Mohalla Sabha can very well be an answer to
bring equilibrium between PDCA cycle.
In general terms,it
will mean nurturing and strengthening those institutions that help people’s
participation and control. It also will be perceived as an attempt to
bring down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in
decision making. It can also
help in removing alienation of the people.
Reduction in
corruption and better administrative control are other benefits the
Mohalla Sabhas can ensure other than propagation of true
Democracy,pioneering of efficient Gram Sabha and removal of alienation.
It is true that
the bill needs fine tuning on many accounts regards the responsibility of
“Mohalla Sabhas”. A nation wide debate on this can be started. We should focus
on the debate to better the draft through deliberations and
suggestion. Onus of Media and ideologues should be fore mount in this
debate.
Aping will follow in
GramSabha naturally
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