"Decentralised governance must serve as an instrument of realising social change and social justice." Comment on the statement.

Constitutional Basis and Mechanisms for Social Justice

The 73rd and 74th Amendments provided constitutional recognition to PRIs and Municipalities, mandating regular elections, reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women (at least one-third of seats). This reservation is a crucial mechanism for ensuring representation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes. Furthermore, these amendments devolved functions relating to 29 subjects (Article 243G for Panchayats and Article 243W for Municipalities) to local bodies, including those directly impacting social justice – such as agriculture, health, education, and social welfare.

Decentralisation as an Instrument of Social Change

• Empowerment of Marginalized Groups: Decentralisation empowers historically disadvantaged communities by giving them a voice in local governance. Reserved seats and participation in local planning processes enable them to articulate their needs and priorities.
• Improved Service Delivery: Local bodies are better positioned to understand local needs and deliver services effectively. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations who may face barriers in accessing services from distant central authorities. For example, PRIs can tailor health programs to address specific local health challenges.
• Increased Accountability: Decentralisation promotes accountability by bringing governance closer to the people. Citizens can directly engage with local representatives and hold them accountable for their actions. Social Audit mechanisms, mandated under schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), further enhance transparency and accountability.
• Promoting Social Inclusion: Decentralised planning allows for the incorporation of the needs of all sections of society, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. This fosters social inclusion and reduces disparities.

Challenges to Realising Social Justice through Decentralisation

Despite the constitutional framework, several challenges hinder the effective realisation of social justice through decentralisation:

• Lack of Capacity: Many PRIs and Municipalities lack the financial and human resources to effectively perform their functions. This limits their ability to implement social justice initiatives.
• Dominance of Local Elites: In many areas, local elites continue to dominate local governance, marginalizing the voices of the poor and vulnerable.
• Insufficient Devolution of Funds and Functions: State governments often hesitate to fully devolve funds and functions to local bodies, limiting their autonomy and effectiveness. A 2019 report by the Reserve Bank of India highlighted that own-source revenue of ULBs is only around 10% of their total revenue, indicating high dependence on state transfers.
• Social Discrimination and Exclusion: Deep-rooted social discrimination and exclusion continue to prevent marginalized groups from fully participating in local governance.
• Political Interference: State-level political interference can undermine the autonomy of local bodies and hinder their ability to pursue social justice agendas.

Case Studies & Examples

Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign (1996-97): This initiative, a pioneering example of decentralised planning, involved extensive participation of local communities in identifying and prioritizing development projects. It led to significant improvements in infrastructure, education, and health, particularly in marginalized areas.

MGNREGA and Social Audit: The implementation of MGNREGA, coupled with mandatory social audits, has empowered rural communities and increased transparency in the use of funds. This has led to improved accountability and reduced corruption.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Capacity Building: Investing in capacity building programs for PRI and Municipal officials is crucial.
• Ensuring Adequate Funding: State governments must ensure adequate and timely devolution of funds to local bodies. The 15th Finance Commission recommended increased devolution to local bodies.
• Promoting Social Inclusion: Implementing affirmative action measures and promoting the participation of marginalized groups in local governance is essential.
• Strengthening Social Audit Mechanisms: Expanding and strengthening social audit mechanisms can enhance transparency and accountability.
• Promoting Inter-Sectoral Coordination: Effective coordination between different government departments and local bodies is crucial for addressing complex social justice issues.