Online published on 8 August, 2018.
Decentralization is considered to be the most sought concept for ushering the good governance, especially in Panchayat Raj System in India. The experiments of decentralization decentralization in India, popularly known as democratic decentralization, has enabled self-governing institutions like Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads in rural areas mainly to play a pivotal role in rendering of public services including maintenance of public goods, planning and implementation of developmental activities. The term ‘Decentralization’ plays key role at Mandals and Zilla Parishads’ administration. Participation and control of governance by the people is the essence of democracy. Such participation is possible only when the powers of the State and extended to the districts, block/mandals and villages where all the sections of the people can sit together and discuss their problems, as well as monitor the implementation of the programmes. Therefore, ‘Decentralization’ became a prime mechanism through which democracy becomes truly representative and responsible. Thus, it emerged as the crux of democratic decentralization.
Decentralisation, MandalParishads, Panchayat Raj, ZillaParishads