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Book Summary of Undermining Local Democracy
This book examines the institution of local self-government and governance in rural India. Focusing on Karnataka, the book juxtaposes local self- govern- ment with parallel bodies of governance that have emerged over the last two decades, arguing that a decline in the effectiveness of the former has occurred. This is complicated further by the presence of parastatal organiza- tions that have spread in these areas as well.
Over the last two decades, numerous Societies have been set up under the aegis of centrally-sponsored schemes, which in turn have set up Commu- nity-based Organizations (CBOs) at the local level. These Societies bypass the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs), performing functions that rightly be- long to the latter. The author contends that if democratically-elected repre- sentatives are present at all levels ” from Parliament to local government institutions ” it is they who should be involved in decision-making on be- half of the people, regarding the developmental agenda of the country, rather than it becoming the mainstay of parallel bodies.
The study, though region-specific, has implications for the model of devel- opment sought to be introduced in the entire country following the liberali- zation reforms in the 1990s. It demonstrates that governance through insti- tutions that eschew political decentralization will result in increasing ine- quality and skewed development. Local representative institutions need, instead, to be restored and strengthened to achieve the inclusiveness that the national government seeks as part of its agenda.
isbn
9780415597470
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Pages : 246
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