The document discusses the concept of democratic decentralization as a governance mechanism to effectively manage rural and urban areas in the context of globalization and liberalization. It highlights the importance of local autonomy, devolution, and public participation in decision-making, emphasizing how decentralization can lead to greater representation and resource allocation equity. Furthermore, it reviews historical developments in India post-independence and the impact of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments on local governance.

1. DEMOCRATIC
DECENTRALIZATION

2. INTRODUCTION
 Decentralization have been found to be much more appropriate
to deal with contemporary trends of globalization, liberalization
and privatization.
 In this scenario an attempt is made in this unit to discuss
conceptual aspects and the significance of democratic
decentralization as an institutional mechanism to govern rural
and urban areas of the society.

3. DEMOCRACY:
MEANING

4.  “Democracy” is the word of Greek.“Demo” mean “people” and
“cratos” mean power of rule.
 Democracy is considered as one of the best forms of
government because it ensures liberty of thought, expression,
belief, faith and worship, equality of status and opportunity,
fraternity as well as the right to participate in political decision-
making.
 Participation and control of governance by the people of the
country is the essence of the democracy.

6.  “Decentralization” mean transfer of planning, decision-
making or administrative authority from the central
government to its field organization, local administrative
units, semi-autonomous organization, local governments or
non-governmental organizations.
 Decentralization means transfer of planning, decision-
making or administrative authority from the central
government to its field organizations, local administrative
units, semi-autonomous organizations, local governments or
non-governmental organizations

7. DEFINITION OF DEMOCRATIC
DECENTRALIZATION
 Democratic decentralization can be defined as
meaningful authority devolved to local units of
governance that are accessible and accountable to the
local citizenry, who enjoy full political rights and liberty.
 It thus differs from the huge majority of earlier
efforts at decentralization in developing areas. Blair
(2000: 21).

8. EVOLUTION OF DEMOCRATIC
DECENTRALIZATION
 After second world war the newly formed nation states adopted the growth-
centered model for development.
 The past experience of planned development for the last 50 years in India and
the results there of have raised doubts regarding achievement of the welfare
objectives, removal of poverty and social inequalities, economic growth with
social justice, etc.
 There was disillusionment with the results of highly centralized planning.
 It resulted in economic inequalities, regional disparities and increased absolute
poverty.
 Therefore, the basic premise of development theory came into question during
the 1970s.

9. CONT……
ꙮ Balwanta Rai Mehata Committee report (1957)
ꙮ Ashok Mehata committee’s principal (1978)
 With the introduction of the 73rd and the 74th Constitutional Amendments, the
decentralization has been democratized.

10. SIGNIFICANCE OF DEMOCRATIC
DECENTRALIZATION
 It will ensure greater representation of political, religious, ethnic and tribal groups
in development decision-making that could lead to greater equity in allocation of
resources.
 ensure better coordination.
 offset the influence of the elite people.
 Lead to a more flexible, innovative and creative administration.
 Closer contact between government officials and local population is possible.
 Local people can execute, monitor and evaluate better than the central agencies.

11. CRUX (MAIN POINT) OF
DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALIZATION
 Such participation is possible only when the powers of the state
are decentralized to the district, block and village levels where all
the sections of the people can sit together,
 Discuss their problems and suggest solutions and plan, execute as
well as monitor the implementation of the programmes. It is
called the crux of democratic decentralization.

12. IMPORTANT ESSENTIAL PART IN
DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALIZATION
 Local autonomy
 Devolution
 Public participation

13. LOCAL AUTONOMY
 “the local autonomy means the right and effective capacity of local government
authorities to resolve and manage the public affairs, on behalf of and in the
interest of local communities that they represent, according to the law“.
 To get willing capacity to manage the public responsibility

14. DEVOLUTION
 transference (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another
especially : the surrender of powers to local authorities by a central government.
 To provide or transfer the position power to public.

15. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
 Public participation can be any process that directly engages the public in
decision-making and gives full consideration to public input in making that
decision. Public participation is a process, not a single event.
 It ensures people’s participation in their development process.

16. HOWTO DOES DEMOCRATIC
DECENTRALIZATION FUNCTION IN INDIA?
 Those functions based on the 73rd and 74th constitution amendment of India.
 After independence,rural development forms the crux of india’s development strategy.
 Rural development programmes aim at the improvement of the living standards of the rural poor
by providing them opportunities for the utilization of their potential through active participation
in the development process.
 Municipal bodies like the panchayats are not functioning effectively as unites of local government
due to structural, financial constraint.
 Elected body of representatives of each Gram Sabha, also to function as an appellate authority
for unresolved disputes at lower level.

17. THANK YOU