ABSTRACT
This handbook examines 25 years of decentralised governance and development in India. It provides a historical overview of developments since the introduction of decentralisation reforms (73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts) and critically assesses the measures initiated to strengthen decentralised institutions and deepen grassroots democracy. It also discusses the status of service delivery and identifies the issues and challenges involved in achieving development at the local level. The volume studies themes such as the devolution of powers in India, administrative and fiscal decentralisation, decentralised planning, Panchayats in scheduled areas, the sociological aspects of decentralisation, caste, gender and local democracy, capacity building, ICT for local governance, urban local governance, workfare and decentralisation, and decentralised natural resource management. It also looks at Panchayati Raj institutions from a Gandhian perspective.
The first of its kind, this handbook will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of decentralisation and development, development studies, fiscal decentralisation, political studies, political sociology, Indian politics, Indian government, public policy and governance, political economy, South Asian studies, and South Asian politics.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|44 pages
The setting
part 2|90 pages
Dimensions of decentralisation
chapter 5|16 pages
Rural local governance and administrative decentralisation
chapter 7|14 pages
State–sub-state level fiscal decentralisation in India
chapter 9|13 pages
Implementation of PESA and status of panchayat raj institutions in fifth scheduled areas of Indian states
part 3|98 pages
Decentralised rural governance
chapter 12|17 pages
Interrogating local democracy
chapter 14|18 pages
Capacity development for good governance in Panchayats
part 4|54 pages
Decentralised urban governance
chapter 16|14 pages
Decentralised governance in urban areas
chapter 18|23 pages
Intergovernmental transfers to urban local bodies in India
part 5|52 pages
Sectorial aspects of decentralisation