“Though Kerala model of local governance is a mixed bag of achievements and setbacks, the State has shown the right way by reaching out to the last man in terms of localising the sustainable development goals (SDGs),” according to Mr. John Samuel, former UNDP Governance Advisor and the President of Trancivic International. He was speaking at the Local Governance Webinar on “Opportunities and Challenges to Local Governance” organised by the Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University in association with the Institute for Sustainable Development and Governance (ISGD). Mr. Samuel said that “Kerala, with a long history of social movements and civil society activism, has been able to maintain a relatively higher legitimacy quotient in local governance.” However, “there is a perceptible problem of ‘capacity gap’ in local governance due to a set of challenges in managing multiple projects and multiple responsibilities from both the state and Central governments.”
Mr. Samuel noted that “though expectations on local governance are too high, the institutions at the local level are over stretched leading to inefficiency.” “While panchayats are used as agencies for implementing too many livelihood and other projects, seldom do we look into their capacity in managing these things in a reasonable period.” The administrative officials, who still wield power in local governance and play a very critical role in the process of implementation, become a major factor of this ‘capacity gap.’ They can delay or deny the benefits of these projects in the context of uncertainty of people’s representatives being in office in successive terms.” “Moreover, the mentality of the state and central governments—that panchayats are the dumping yard of their programmes and projects—tends to dilute the very principles of decentralisation and local governance. What we see is a sort of administrative decentralisation without any significant role for people’s representatives in initiating new projects appropriate to the local conditions,” he noted.
Mr. Samuel also pointed out that one of the emerging issues of local governance across the world is identity politics. He said: “Caste is a predominant factor in local governance in many Indian states. Even in Kerala, the sectarian matrix is high. Though caste is not publicly discussed, it is a very live subject in our drawing rooms.” Citing the instances of the politics of exclusion of migrant communities in Europe and India, he said that “the very rationale of local governance comes under challenge in such cases.” Mr. Samuel said that inclusive practices in local governance require a political alternative in micro spaces, in the context of the emerging challenges faced by migrant population across the world.
Dr. S. Shaji, faculty, Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad said that local governance assumes a significant position in the debates on democracy as the latter is about participation and accountability. What follows from this view is that local governance ensures active participation (of citizenry) and increased accountability (of elected representatives). Another issue pertains to local governance at the global arena is strength of federalism since federalism defines the quality of local governance. Though federalism debates is quite active in Indian context, the issues pertaining to local governance is not given adequate attention. This baffling situation has to be seen in the context in India wherein 73rd and 74th Amendment of constitution gave ample powers to local bodies, thereby substantially transforming the governance at the grass root level, Dr Shaji said.
Dr Shaji pointed out that local governance has emerged as an important area of interest in public policy studies and governance. A comparative perspective blending a multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary approach would give us nuanced perspective to understand various systems of local governance around the world. Such an approach capturing the diversity in local governance systems with an in-depth analysis on what dynamics works/does not work can situate cases of local governance models in the country. In addition, capturing the ‘best practices’ (though specific to systems and nations), especially from Global South States, can guide us in developing/polishing our own policies, he noted.
Prof K.M. Seethi, Director, IUCSSRE welcomed and Dr. Mathew Varghese coordinator of webinar series proposed a vote of thanks.
