Ethics among elected leaders of municipal corporation Ludhiana: public perception

Ethics are sine-qua-non for the sustenance of good governance and service delivery. The local self governments world over and especially in the country like ours has magnified responsibility to provide the local community with their requirements and needs. The local bodies in India have roots in the past yet these have not been able to deliver to the expectations of the people. The urban governments are found seriously wanting in this area due to continuous and haphazard growth of urbanization. The urban local bodies, especially the Municipal Corporations and their leadership is facing stiff challenge from outside (Public) and within (from the Administration). The Public often accuses the government for its inefficiency, ineffectiveness, apathy and corrupt practices. The elected leadership of these urban local bodies is often found wanting on every front; be it their commitment, loyalty, honesty, efficiency or effectiveness. The present paper is an attempt to assess the People's perception about the behavior and conduct (ethics) of elected representatives of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.