Local Bodies in India (Local Self-Governments) - Part 3

British Period

• In 1688, the first municipal corporation, Madras was started

• In 1726, Municipal corporations at Bombay and Calcutta were started.

• In 1870, Lord Mayo's resolution,he introduced financial decentralization and proposed to increase local governments.

• In 1882- Lord Ripon's resolution, he is called as the father of the local governments. he took steps to establish elected local governments.

• In 1907- Royal Commission for decentralization, and it was lead by Hobhouse. It proposed to establish Village level Panchayats

• In 1919-1935- The Government of India Act gave more importance to local governments.

• According to the charter act of 1813, the power of taxation was given to local governments.

• In 1872, Warren Hastings introduced collector system.

Features of Local Bodies

1. Local bodies are established by the central government in countries following a unitary system, and by state governments in countries following a federal system.
2. State governments cannot dissolve local governments even if they dissolve the state government. Therefore, local governments are referred to as "governments within the government" or "Imperia in Imperium."
3. Local governments perform their functions within a certain local limit.

Historical Background

• Before Independence
  • Ancient Period: Sabhas and Samithis existed in this period
  • Indus Valley Civilization: The main feature of Indus valley civilization is Town planning.
  • Kautilya's Arthashastra: Kautilya mentioned about local governments in his book, Arthashastra. The local governments were collecting taxes without any fail. Kautilya also mentioned about the existence of 2 courts at that period.
    They are:
    • Dharmasthiya - It is a court which used to deal civil cases.
    • Kantakashodhana - It is a court which used to deal criminal cases.
  • Kamandhaka's Neethisaram: He wrote Neethisaram in which it says that a father used to check whether his would be son-in-law is participating in local governmental activities and would give his daughter based on that.
  • Chola period It is considered as the golden era of local governments. In this period, First Parantaka Chola written Uthiramerur inscription which described about election procedures in local governments.
• After Independence
  • Community Development Programme (CDP)-1952
  • National Extension Service Programme-1953
  • Balwant Rai Mehta committee-1957

Balwant Rai Mehta committee

Balwant Rai Mehta committee was appointed by National Development council in 1957 January to study about CDP,NESS working and to recommend how to develop panchayat raj system

The committee submitted the report in 1957 November and the report was accepted by NDC in 1958 January.

Main features of the Report:

1. It recommended to establish three tier panchayati raj system.
2. Recommended to fix the term of panchayati raj institutions to 5 years.
3. Advised that political parties should not participate in the local government election.
4. Recommended to make direct elections for Gram Panchayats and indirect elections for Mandal Parishads and Zilla Parishads.
5. Advised to transfer the responsibility of primary education to local governments.

• In 1959- The first state which established a Panchayati Raj System is Rajasthan.
• The first union territory which established a Panchayati Raj System is Delhi.
• The first South Indian state which established a Panchayati Raj System is Andhra Pradesh.