The Local Government Commission’s recommendations to bolster the administrative backup for local bodies by constituting a unified Local Self-Government Department is expected to give a major fillip to decentralised planning and development and also ensure optimum utilisation of the resources devolved to them.
Despite scripting several success stories in devolution of powers and funds to local governments, lack of coordination among local bodies and among departments was deemed as a major ill plaguing the elected bodies and departments. This has led to duplication of projects and failure in attaining targets. The new proposal is considered to be a panacea to such problems.
Lack of coordination
Lack of coordination among block and grama panchayats and instances of these two tiers functioning contravention has affected the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and a slew of other schemes too. The new order would address such issues.
The commission that held several rounds of discussions with the stakeholders, mainly representatives of local government and about 30 service organisations of employees, had evaluated the gains of the People’s Plan Campaign during the past 20 years.
Sources privy to the functioning of the commission told The Hindu that it had adopted a multi-dimensional approach for drawing up the draft special rules. It has reduced the number of categories, but maximised the number of posts for mutual transfer, keeping in mind the career and promotion prospects of the employees.
Preparation of district plans is the constitutional responsibility of the District Planning Committees. The proposed unified department is expected to lend a creative leadership for the preparation of district Plans.
Lack of mechanical engineering and electrical wing is being cited as one of the major reasons for the delay in completing works in time. The commission has proposed to constitute these two wings to overcome such problems and also recommended local bodies to elicit the assistance of law graduates in service to seek legal advice in cases conducted by them.
Along with development, top priority has been attached for conducting cultural activities such as Keralaotsavam at the grassroots-level to counter a milieu of communal and caste hatred being spread by divisive forces.
