PPT: Local Governments | Political Science Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Page 2


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
INTRODUCTION
In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected 
government at the centre and at the State level. It is 
also necessary that even at the local level, there should 
be an elected government to look after local affairs.
After going through this presentation it will be easy to 
study the importance of the local governments and 
ways to give them independent powers: the 
importance of local government bodies; the provisions 
made by the 73rd and 74th amendments; and 
functions and responsibilities of the local government 
bodies.
Page 3


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
INTRODUCTION
In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected 
government at the centre and at the State level. It is 
also necessary that even at the local level, there should 
be an elected government to look after local affairs.
After going through this presentation it will be easy to 
study the importance of the local governments and 
ways to give them independent powers: the 
importance of local government bodies; the provisions 
made by the 73rd and 74th amendments; and 
functions and responsibilities of the local government 
bodies.
WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?
1
Geeta Rathore's Story
Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab 
Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya 
Pradesh. She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 
from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village 
people rewarded her for her admirable work 
by electing her again - this time from a non-
reserved seat. From a housewife, Geeta has 
grown into a leader displaying political 
farsightedness - she has harnessed the 
collective energy of her Panchayat to 
renovate water tanks, build a school building, 
construct village roads, fight against 
domestic violence and atrocities against 
women, create environmental awareness, and 
encourage afforestation and water 
management in her village.
2
Tamil Nadu Gram Panchayat 
President's Story
In 1997, the Tamil Nadu government allotted 
two hectares of land to 71 government 
employees. This piece of land fell within the 
vicinity of this Gram Panchayat. On the 
instructions of higher authorities the District 
Collector of Kancheepuram directed the 
President of the Gram Panchayat to pass a 
resolution endorsing the allotment of the said 
land for the purpose already decided. The 
President and the Gram Panchayat refused to 
pass such an order and the Collector issued 
an order to acquire the land. The Gram 
Panchayat filed a writ petition in the Madras 
High Court against the Collector's action. The 
single judge bench of the High Court upheld 
the Collector's order and ruled that there was 
no need to take the Panchayat's consent. The 
Panchayat appealed to the Division bench 
against the single judge's order. In its order, 
the Division Bench reversed the order of the 
single judge. The judges held that the 
government order amounted to not only 
infringement of the powers of the Panchayats 
but a gross violation of the constitutional 
status of the Panchayats.
Both these stories are not isolated incidents. They are representative of a larger transformation that is taking place 
across India especially after constitutional status was accorded to local government institutions in 1993.
Page 4


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
INTRODUCTION
In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected 
government at the centre and at the State level. It is 
also necessary that even at the local level, there should 
be an elected government to look after local affairs.
After going through this presentation it will be easy to 
study the importance of the local governments and 
ways to give them independent powers: the 
importance of local government bodies; the provisions 
made by the 73rd and 74th amendments; and 
functions and responsibilities of the local government 
bodies.
WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?
1
Geeta Rathore's Story
Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab 
Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya 
Pradesh. She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 
from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village 
people rewarded her for her admirable work 
by electing her again - this time from a non-
reserved seat. From a housewife, Geeta has 
grown into a leader displaying political 
farsightedness - she has harnessed the 
collective energy of her Panchayat to 
renovate water tanks, build a school building, 
construct village roads, fight against 
domestic violence and atrocities against 
women, create environmental awareness, and 
encourage afforestation and water 
management in her village.
2
Tamil Nadu Gram Panchayat 
President's Story
In 1997, the Tamil Nadu government allotted 
two hectares of land to 71 government 
employees. This piece of land fell within the 
vicinity of this Gram Panchayat. On the 
instructions of higher authorities the District 
Collector of Kancheepuram directed the 
President of the Gram Panchayat to pass a 
resolution endorsing the allotment of the said 
land for the purpose already decided. The 
President and the Gram Panchayat refused to 
pass such an order and the Collector issued 
an order to acquire the land. The Gram 
Panchayat filed a writ petition in the Madras 
High Court against the Collector's action. The 
single judge bench of the High Court upheld 
the Collector's order and ruled that there was 
no need to take the Panchayat's consent. The 
Panchayat appealed to the Division bench 
against the single judge's order. In its order, 
the Division Bench reversed the order of the 
single judge. The judges held that the 
government order amounted to not only 
infringement of the powers of the Panchayats 
but a gross violation of the constitutional 
status of the Panchayats.
Both these stories are not isolated incidents. They are representative of a larger transformation that is taking place 
across India especially after constitutional status was accorded to local government institutions in 1993.
IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1
Government Closest 
to the People
Local government is 
government at the village and 
district level. Local 
government is about 
government closest to the 
common people. Local 
government is about 
government that involves the 
day-to-day life and problems 
of ordinary citizens.
2
Essential for 
Democratic Decision 
Making
Local government believes 
that local knowledge and local 
interest are essential 
ingredients for democratic 
decision making. They are 
also necessary for efficient 
and people-friendly 
administration.
3
Convenient and 
Efficient
The advantage of local 
government is that it is so 
near the people. It is 
convenient for the people to 
approach the local 
government for solving their 
problems both quickly and 
with minimum cost.
4
Protects Local Interests
Local governments can be very effective in 
protecting the local interests of the people.
5
Ensures Participation and 
Accountability
Democracy is about meaningful participation. It is 
also about accountability. Strong and vibrant 
local governments ensure both active 
participation and purposeful accountability.
Page 5


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
INTRODUCTION
In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected 
government at the centre and at the State level. It is 
also necessary that even at the local level, there should 
be an elected government to look after local affairs.
After going through this presentation it will be easy to 
study the importance of the local governments and 
ways to give them independent powers: the 
importance of local government bodies; the provisions 
made by the 73rd and 74th amendments; and 
functions and responsibilities of the local government 
bodies.
WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?
1
Geeta Rathore's Story
Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab 
Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya 
Pradesh. She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 
from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village 
people rewarded her for her admirable work 
by electing her again - this time from a non-
reserved seat. From a housewife, Geeta has 
grown into a leader displaying political 
farsightedness - she has harnessed the 
collective energy of her Panchayat to 
renovate water tanks, build a school building, 
construct village roads, fight against 
domestic violence and atrocities against 
women, create environmental awareness, and 
encourage afforestation and water 
management in her village.
2
Tamil Nadu Gram Panchayat 
President's Story
In 1997, the Tamil Nadu government allotted 
two hectares of land to 71 government 
employees. This piece of land fell within the 
vicinity of this Gram Panchayat. On the 
instructions of higher authorities the District 
Collector of Kancheepuram directed the 
President of the Gram Panchayat to pass a 
resolution endorsing the allotment of the said 
land for the purpose already decided. The 
President and the Gram Panchayat refused to 
pass such an order and the Collector issued 
an order to acquire the land. The Gram 
Panchayat filed a writ petition in the Madras 
High Court against the Collector's action. The 
single judge bench of the High Court upheld 
the Collector's order and ruled that there was 
no need to take the Panchayat's consent. The 
Panchayat appealed to the Division bench 
against the single judge's order. In its order, 
the Division Bench reversed the order of the 
single judge. The judges held that the 
government order amounted to not only 
infringement of the powers of the Panchayats 
but a gross violation of the constitutional 
status of the Panchayats.
Both these stories are not isolated incidents. They are representative of a larger transformation that is taking place 
across India especially after constitutional status was accorded to local government institutions in 1993.
IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1
Government Closest 
to the People
Local government is 
government at the village and 
district level. Local 
government is about 
government closest to the 
common people. Local 
government is about 
government that involves the 
day-to-day life and problems 
of ordinary citizens.
2
Essential for 
Democratic Decision 
Making
Local government believes 
that local knowledge and local 
interest are essential 
ingredients for democratic 
decision making. They are 
also necessary for efficient 
and people-friendly 
administration.
3
Convenient and 
Efficient
The advantage of local 
government is that it is so 
near the people. It is 
convenient for the people to 
approach the local 
government for solving their 
problems both quickly and 
with minimum cost.
4
Protects Local Interests
Local governments can be very effective in 
protecting the local interests of the people.
5
Ensures Participation and 
Accountability
Democracy is about meaningful participation. It is 
also about accountability. Strong and vibrant 
local governments ensure both active 
participation and purposeful accountability.
GROWTH OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN INDIA
1
Ancient Times
Self-governing village communities existed in 
India from the earliest times in the form of 
'sabhas' (village assemblies).
2
Modern Era
In modern times, elected local government 
bodies were created after 1882. Lord Rippon, 
who was the Viceroy of India at that time, 
took the initiative in creating these bodies.
3
Freedom Movement
During India's freedom movement, Mahatma 
Gandhi had strongly pleaded for 
decentralisation of economic and political 
power. He believed that strengthening village 
panchayats was a means of effective 
decentralisation.
4
Post-Independence
When the Constitution was prepared, the 
subject of local government was assigned to 
the States. It was also mentioned in the 
Directive Principles as one of the policy 
directives to all governments in the country.