NCERT · Class 10 · Social Science · Civics: Federalismभारतीय लोकतंत्र की त्रि-स्तरीय प्रणाली की चर्चा कीजिए, जिसमें 1992 के स्थानीय सरकार के सुधारों पर विशेष जोर दिया गया हो।

Introduction to Decentralization\nWhen power is taken from central and state governments and given to local government, it is called decentralization. The basic idea behind decentralization is that there are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level. People have better knowledge of problems in their localities.

The Need for Local Government

• It helps people to participate directly in decision-making.
• It inculcates a habit of democratic participation.
• Local government is the best way to realize one important principle of democracy, namely local self-government.

The Historic Constitutional Amendment of 1992\nMajor steps towards decentralization were taken in 1992 through a constitutional amendment to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective:

• Mandatory Elections: It became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
• Reservation of Seats: Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• Reservation for Women: At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
• State Election Commission: An independent institution called the State Election Commission was created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
• Sharing of Powers and Revenue: The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.

Structure of Local Government

• Rural Local Government (Panchayati Raj):
  • Gram Panchayat: Village level, consisting of ward members (Panch) and a President (Sarpanch).
  • Panchayat Samiti / Block: A few Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form this body.
  • Zilla Parishad: All panchayat samitis or mandals in a district together constitute the Zilla Parishad.
• Urban Local Government:
  • Municipalities: Set up in towns.
  • Municipal Corporations: Set up in big cities, headed by a Mayor.