To what extent in your opinion has the decentralization of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?

Democratic decentralization is the process of devolving the functions and resources of the state from the center to the elected representatives at the lower levels so as to facilitate greater direct participation of citizens in governance.

Decentralization and People’s participation through 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act changed the governance landscape at the grassroots:

• Women empowerment by ensuring their political participation – 14.54 lakh women are their in PRIs. 
• Social justice by reserving seats for SCs & STs 
• Fixing accountability through Social auditing tool 
• Resolved issues through community participation like water management and disaster management. 
• Developing programs for weaker sections and backward areas 
• Financial management and budget sanctity 
• Simplification of procedures and processes by the use of technology – Social Auditing, e-governance, M-governance, Twitter governance etc.

Focus on service delivery through Citizen Charter and Sevottam Model It would make growth - sustainable, equitable, and inclusive.

Issues with local govt in India:

• Insufficient funding 
• Inflexibility in spending 
• Lack of staff 
• Untimely and delayed action 
• Corruption

Suggestions given by Sumit Bose committee:

• State governments should put a quorum in gram sabha meetings for participation of panchayat representatives 
• Recruitment and appointment of support and technical staff to ensure the smooth functioning of panchayat. 
• Devise a comprehensive mechanism for taxation at the local levels. 
• Capacity building and training enable them to prepare better Gram Panchayat Development Plans 
• Sumit Bose committee recommended - performance based payments for better outcomes in rural development schemes

6th report of 2nd ARC, says a clear-cut demarcation of functions of each tier of the government & States should adopt the concept of ‘activity mapping’ to achieve the objective of article 40.