The reasons listed for the seventy third and seventy fourth amendments of the Constitution 1992 have lamented on the failures of deep rooting of Democracy in form of functioning of Panchayati Raj and Municipalities . The amendment recognizes the the fact Article 40 has not been enforced and implemented. The article 40 which states “The State shall take steps to organize village Panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.”
The amendments while accepting failure go further in giving various proposals and modalities related to it. The amendments of 1992 go in further defining the roles of third level of Governance viz a viz the second level with regards to authority, devolution of powers and financial implication of decentralization.
One aspect on which both the amendments are silent upon is the reason of failure in implementation of Article 40 or self Governance. With all due respect to our peers of democracy, it seems that some ready made solution is being implemented without the diagnosis. Even the symptoms related to the malaise do not seem to be deliberated upon. Any student of any art or science in the present era will find it revolting way of solution.
Out of eighteen indicator to be addressed under NRDMS (Natural Resources Data Management System) under the twelfth schedule, some require huge investment and other technical inputs which can’t be done by Nagar Panchayats, municipalities or even corporations. For example Fire Services listed as seventh of the functional domain of Urban local bodies needs technical expertise on regular basis , huge investment ,regular supervision . Similar is required for water supply, Public health,Sanitation,Poverty alleviation . Authority without responsibility is a catchy proverb but urban local bodies also seem to suffer from" Authority without Knowledge."
Some the activities listed in the scheduled can be transferred to smaller units of local governance or the Mohalla Sabhas . Handling of “Provision of Public amenities and facilities” can be experimented in this regard with little fuss and effort . Part of revenue can be shared between the Mohalla Sabhas or Samitis and the third layer of local governance. The requirement of Public amenities in the locality can be best ascertained by the micro units of governance. Similarly with a little inputs like training and continuous communication between the Sabhas and Municipalities , part of land use and construction of small buildings can be partially off loaded. Even in the registration of death and birth these micro units can be of great help to municipalities.
With some of it’s far flung responsibilities transferred , the municipalities will gain in terms of efficiency and can concentrate on the larger issues plaguing our urban and semi urban areas. However it will be temporary measures.
The central government and Judiciary must be applauded in their effort in ensuring that elections are held in time and for reservation on basis of Gender and Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The reluctance of power sharing to the third tier of governance by the legislative assemblies was immense however the Center and the Courts stood firm. Some fruits of the power sharing can be seen in the recent pasts in sewage treatment plans , water harvesting schemes of some municipalities Much more is needed. Most state governments have still not transferred some powers to the local governments. Nor have they been given adequate resources.
The long term solution must flow from the up keepers of the Constitution. The Parliament must take the lead in this regard. Reasons of limitations and problems facing the local bodies should be revisited by the legislature and executive.
The dynamics of Indian Migration , though a complex phenomenon should be considered in defining ward and ward committees Mohalla Sabhas can form the basic level of Democratic units in Urban areas. These Sabhas can be the base in deciding the level of migration from rural areas . The needs of the locality base on influx should be looked into.
Another need of hour seems to be the resource crunch faced by these municipalities. Small entrepreneurs should encouraged in People Public Participation at micro level. Avenues like FM radio based on broader principle as decided by Center can be revenue generator for municipalities. It can strengthen the Information system, Traffic and Policing within the Urban locality.
The micro election within these Mohalla Sabhas can be introduced at a later stage to enhance the self governance as desired in Article 40.
