LSG PPT Dhruv and Shruti

Evolution of
Local Self
Government in
India
DHRUV RAJ SINGH
SHRUTI MEHTA
Introduction
Local government is considered as the back-bone of any democratic setup because it implies active and
direct participation of citizens in the administration of the affairs of the community, understands the
local requirement & tries to fulfil them properly where local people co-operate with local
administrator.
Man being a social animal always wanted to live in a social society or more particular society.
Gradually as the social circle increased it faced many problems and needed a local solution. This is the
basic reason why Local Self Government came into existence. The concept of LSG has been known to
India since ancient times. There is sufficient evidence to establish the fact that Local Self Government
existed in ancient times also. The concept of LSG is indigenous to the Indian soil. Local institutions in
one or another form existed in India even during the ancient times .
The Mughal Period
The Mughal rulers inherited the system form Shershah, so the village panchayat administration
continued to remain somewhat same during this period. The village council (Panchayat) performed
every type of function like maintenance of local roads, irrigation work, temples, mosques and
educational institutions, cleanliness etc.
But it was in Akbar’s reign Panchayat Raj got the legal recognition. However the urban municipalities
cared to be governed by people representatives and the Kotwal who were responsible for the city
administration also managed the municipal affairs. With 3 the downfall of the Mughal Empire and with
the advent of British Rule the ties of social framework was loosened and local institutions almost came
to stand still.
The British Period
The history of LSG in India under the British rule can be divided in 4 phases:
1. During the early British rule due to centralized administration of East India Company the urban and
rural local bodies were abolished. But very soon they realized their mistake and in 1687 a municipality
was established in Madras under Royal Charter. Lord Ripon is rightly regarded as the father of Local
Self Government in Modern India.
2. The British’s were interested in creating a controlled local bodies which could help them in their
trade activities and collecting tax on behalf of them. For bringing administrative efficiency in meeting
people’s demand and to add to the colonized finances much needed impetus was given to the
development of local institutions. But the real benchmark of the government policy on decentralization
can be attributed to Lord Ripon.
The British Period
3. There was a marked increase in activity of the provincial legislature of the LSG for making them
self-governing units. Various bills were introduced in relation to both rural and urban local bodies in
different parts of the country. In 1935- 36 a number of municipalities in Punjab, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh and Assam showed working inefficiency of the local bodies.
4. There was no consensus among the leaders regarding the states and role to be assigned to the
institution of LSG freedom. The national movement for Independence was also reaching new heights
with the growing strength of the national movement and the achievement of provincial autonomy. The
local government in India became the constituent part of self-government for the country.
Post- Independence Period
After the country achieved Independence in 1947 and with the termination of alien rule there was a
self-government at all the 3 levels, Central, Provincial and Local. The local government was for the
first time functioning in an independent atmosphere. In 1948 a meeting was organized for the ministers
of LSG under the Chairmanship of the Central Minister for Health Amrit Kaur.
The meeting was called to discuss the importance of the LSG for the general well-being of the people
and proposed that such type of forum is an important part for the administration all over India
In 1950 after the Constitution came into force the LSG also entered a new phase and experienced
dramatic changes. But as compared to urban local government changes in rural local 5 government
were much visible and impressive.
Post-Independence Period
The Third Five Year Plan realized the significance of LSG and emphasized on proper planning for the
development of towns and cities and helping to create conditions for a better life of citizens
Many state governments setup committees to enquire into functioning of local government institutions
and to suggest remedial measures. The Central Government also appointed committees, Balwant Rai
Mehta Committee (1957) and Ashok Mehta Committee (1978) on Panchayati Raj Institutions. The
GVK Rao Committee (1985) to review the existing administrative arrangements for Rural
Development and Poverty Elevation Programs.
Conclusion
The idea of a self-government system is very innovative as it functions at the grass-roots level, which
is not feasible for state government. Still, they have a lack of funds because of which development of a
particular area is dawdling.
India is the largest democratic country in the world. Self-government bodies like municipality and
panchayat are very important for the daily life of the citizen. They provide basic amenities, which is
essential for every citizen. Giving up the concept of Self Government will lead to the degradation of
the social and economic life of an individual

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