Thought of some reality byte on policy before the blog on how much has been devolved to Local Bodies Of Governance by the State Government . Though cynical the piece has to be
read before reading the level of Devolution.
DOP ,
Delegation of Power or Devolution of Power is a much hyped jargon in Indian
Administration. Ask any layer of
Administration and buckets of wishes will emerge. Do scratch deeper a little further the aversion
to give away even the irrelevant invested with the layer concerned will nearly give the real picture.
Expectations from democracy is a function
to judge any Democracy.Democracies are
always in a Test Mode from one test to another test. As people get some benefits of
democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better. People
will and should always come up with more expectations. Complaints are testimony
to the success of democracy.Grievances show that people have developed awareness and expect .People
look critically at power holders and the high and the mighty. A public expression
of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project. (Summary
from Outcomes and Expectation of Democracy NCERT)
However the above extract from a
high school book can not be used to justify “Anarchy”, a word that gained
common political speech acceptance a month ago.
Power sharing in democracies
between pillars of democracy has never been easy. One gets the feeling that that conflicts regards power sharing
between institutions have become less visible in public Domain in last 25 years.
“ this reduced friction bear well
for the democracy” raises a million dollar understated question. The reasons of the
lack of conflict between the four Ks of democracy may have very deep meanings.
Seeing the cynicism present in
masses ,one is tempted to believe that all the four institutions have entered into comfort zones. Can one rule out an
unholy alliance between the four checks and power sharing pillars . Old timer whisper that the little
skirmishes thrown in public domain could be a ploy to hide the “mutual back
scratch club”.
While horizontal distribution of power
allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise
different powers. The Judiciary in case
of any dispute about the division of powers is entrusted to resolve.Division of
powers involving higher and lower levels of government i.e vertical division of power is based on
Federalism. Herein the sharing has been not so easy. State Center relationship
has seen a new dimensions in Coalition era
at national level. However the sharing has not been forthcoming as on principles
but has been based upon political and adjustmental inabilities.
Further devolution of power to
local bodies have suffered due to this comfort zone and “why gain if too much
pain” syndrome arising from our own social and educational upbringings. Enjoy and flaunt the rights provided seems to be the
“mantra” of Urban Local Body representatives.
Can the citizens and local bodies to expect Courts
to play the role of Activists and “Suo- Motto Cognizance always ? The higher
courts took ample interest in implementation of three- tier system initially Can
Judiciary be absolved of shying away from the final thrust after creating a
hope and hoopla about the three tier governance?
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