Decentralisation in Contemporary India: Status, Issues and the Way Forward

This volume examines the process of decentralisation in India since the 1992 legislations which devolved powers to local government bodies to ensure greater participation in local governance and planning. It studies the functioning of gram sabhas, panchayats, school development committees, water supply and sanitation committees, welfare associations, and rural development schemes like the MGNREGS, analysing their effectiveness and tracing the political, administrative and fiscal powers the local government wields. With case studies from different Indian states, the book examines the functioning of local governance mechanisms and institutions in relation to crucial issues such as citizen participation, participation of women and disadvantaged groups, fiscal decentralization, peace-building, economic development, and education among others. Comprehensive and insightful, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of development studies, political science, public policy, governance studies, regional development, political economy, political sociology, and public administration, and South Asian studies especially those focusing on India.