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SUBJECT CODE- 3003

SUBJECT NAME- POLITICAL SCIENCE – III

(PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION)

SUBMITTED BY- ANTARIKSH SINGH JAMWAL

SUBMITTED TO- PROF. OM KRISHNA

BATCH- 2019-2024

SEMESTER- B
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EVOLUTION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF DECENTRALIZATION

-ANTARIKSH SINGH JAMWAL

INTRODUCTION

Decentralization form of governance is the saviour of the efficient governance in the

modern capitalistic world. Decentralization is a process of transferring power to elected local
governments. Transferring power, refers to providing local governments with higher political
authority, higher finances and provide more administrative responsibilities to the local
government. In other words, decentralizations refer to the delegation of powers form the higher
government to locally elected government for magnified attention on the public on lower or
local level. Decentralization has led to higher transparency, accountability and good
governance.
CONCEPT OF DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALIZATION
Democracy is probably the best form of government, the reason behind it lies in the
definition of democracy given by Abraham Lincoln i.e., “Democracy is for the people, of the
people and by the people”.1 In other words democracy is best form of democracy because it

1
Nsiah, Richard and Nsiah, Richard, Democracy for Ghana (September 1, 2014).
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safeguards people’s liberty of speech and expression, belief, faith, opportunity etc. The
participation and control over governance by the people of the country is the prime element of
democracy. Participation is attainable only when the influence of the state is decentralized to
the lower level such as district, block and village levels where all the sections of the people can
discuss their problems among their own people and suggest solutions and plan, execute as well
as monitor the implementation of the programmes. It is called the crux of democratic
decentralization.

Decentralization is a process that involves three different elements which include: de-
concentration, delegation and devolution. The de-concentration supports that the decision-
making authority lies with the higher-level authorities and the lower-level is just employed to
implement policies and programmes of the higher-level. In delegation, the higher-level
authority delegates decision-making power to the lower level to perform particular functions.
However, it is the devolution of political and administrative responsibilities and powers from
the central government to intermediate and local governments that is the true measure of
decentralization2

The words democratic decentralization is made up two words, “democratic” and

“decentralization” The work “democratic” implies that the nature of the concept of democratic
decentralization as also its basic claims in an institutional set up. The word ‘decentralization’
is basically indicative of the method to realize the end as contained in the word ‘democratic’.
Decentralization means delegation of planning, decision-making and administrative authority
from the central govt. to local elected units, semi-autonomous organizations. However, there
is a difference between delegation and decentralization. Delegation refers to the grant of power
from a higher authority to subordinates, to be used not as a right but as a derived concession
and that only on the request of the superior. However, ‘democratic decentralization’ is an
extended version of democratic principle which aims at expanding the area of the public’s
involvement, authority through dispersion of powers to people’s representative organizations
from the highest levels to the ground levels in all the three dimensions of political decision-
making, financial control and administrative management with least interference and control
from higher levels.

2
Shah, Anwar and Teresa Thompson (2004), Implementing Decentralized Governance: A Treacherous Road with
Potholes, Detours and Road Closures, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper Series, No. 3353. Washington
D.C.
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DECENTRALIZATION IN INDIA
India is a diverse country with 28 states, 8 union territories and more than 700 districts.
There are 22 registered language in India and for such diverse country the centralist
government is not the ideal form of government. Soon after independence in 1947, the political
leaders of the country realized that the condition of the nation were getting worse in terms of
problems like hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, gender inequality and so on, India was in
urgent need of a micro-level institutional arrangement to encourage public participation.3
Eventually the country was in need of a decentralized form of governance, article 40 4 of
the constitution inserted in part IV of the constitution to make a provision for village
panchayat.5 However the provision was not compulsory therefore both the government chose
to ignore the provision.6
The 73rd7 and 74th8 Constitutional Amendment Acts played a prime role in the direction
of decentralized governance in India. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment introduced reforms
in rural local bodies moreover the 74th Constitutional Amendment act brought reforms in urban
local bodies. These amendments have accorded constitutional recognition to rural and urban
local bodies. The Acts aims at integrating the concept of people’s participation in a formal way
with the planning process on the one hand and the devolution of responsibility to the people
themselves on the other. These acts have addressed the persistent problems of irregular
elections, suppression, inadequate representation, insufficient devolution of powers, lack of
administrative and financial autonomy, and inadequate resources.
The constitution through 73rd amendment, setup panchayats as foundations of local self-
governments, it is subjected to the extent of decentralization of powers and functions to the
will of the state legislature. For the first time, self-government was located at the Panchayat
level. The government on the urban level was established for the first time. These government
were established on lower level to keep the focus of the on the rural and urban level so that
public can participate in decision making and governance for their own welfare.

3
Girish Kumar, Local Democracy in India; Interpreting Decentralization, 2006
4
INDIA CONST, art. 40.
5
Mathur, O.P. (1999), Decentralization in India: A Report Card, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy,
New Delhi.
6
Mitra, S. and A.K. Dubey (1997), State Finance Commissions and State PRIs Financial Relations,
7
INDIAN CONST, 234A, amended by The Constitution ( 73rd amendment) act. 1992
8
INDIAN CONST, 244, amended by The Constitution ( 74th amendment) act. 1992
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SIGNIFICANCE OF DECENTRALIZATION
In 21st century, decentralization is a global phenomenon and most of the countries have
adopted the idea of democratic decentralization. Decentralization must be seen as a model of
development, which requires a variety of organization for empowering and uplifting the
marginalized and the poor. The several significances that can be enlisted are:
1) CLOSER CONTACT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LOCAL POPULATION IS

POSSIBLE.

The principle of decentralization is necessary for building a better contact between local
population and the authorities, if the people have direct relation between the decision-making
authorities the problems could be heard and solved in an efficient and effective way, which
leads to fulfilment of true principle of the democracy.
2) TOP MANAGEMENT WOULD BE RELIEVED OF ROUTINE JOBS AND DEVOTE TIME TO

MORE IMPORTANT JOBS.

India is a diverse nation with population of more than 1 billion the top level authorise could
not focus on each and every of the group in the country, however the decentralization helps
local authorities to focus of assigned area, which will reduce the work load on top level
authorities leading to efficient governance in local level as well as national level.
3) LOCAL PEOPLE CAN EXECUTE, MONITOR AND EVALUATE BETTER THAN THE

CENTRAL AGENCIES.

As mentioned earlier, India have more that 700 district and it is not possible for central
government to focus and improve the condition of each part, however it is not possible for even
central agencies to monitor the growth, however, the local people are aware about problems
and can evaluate the growth in much more efficient way leading to good governance
4) IT CAN ALLOW BETTER PENETRATION OF NATIONAL POLICIES TO AREAS REMOTE

FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

India is 7th largest country (population wise) in the world and have, people in the different
corners of the country, who speak different language, who look different language etc, in othere
world India is a diverse county and the implementation of the national policies could not be
same for everyone, however the decentralization helps to implement and execute the national
policies in effective and efficient manner.
5) IT WILL ENSURE BETTER COORDINATION.
The principle of decentralization is helpful for better coordination between central
government and people at local level because accountability of local government toward
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highest authorities will lead to good governance, since public will be the one wo will be making
decisions for themselves,9
CONCLUSION
Decentralization leads to the empowerment of the local people through decentralization
and devolution. Decentralized governance seeks to tap local initiatives and practices by
involving gross roots organizations such as self-help groups. Representative democracy and
participatory democracy both become possible through decentralized governance. Another
important feature of decentralized governance is interactive policy making which leads to
decentralized decision-making. Interactive policy is a process where government and non-
governmental sectors such as private sector, non-governmental organizations, communities,
gross roots organizations, pressure groups all participate in decision-making so as to influence
issues and suggest alternatives. Therefore, decentralized governance is an alternative strategy
of development, which is people-centred, participatory and bottomup development mechanism.
Decentralised governance is good for the people. The people will have a better
understanding of what the government does. It is a concept based on the right of the people to
initiative and executes policy decisions in an autonomous manner. It is a more effective way
meeting local needs. It also provides a mechanism responsive to the variety of circumstances
encountered from place to place. Decentralize governance enable poor people to take part in
politics, which is necessary for successful implementation of antipoverty prorammes.

9
G.Shabbir Cheema and Dennis A.Rondinelli, in their book Decentralization and Development.