DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE IN INDIA: A GANDHIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Decentralization is a process that involves transfer of power to the popularly elected local governments so as to enhance the participation of the local populace in the political process and decision making, thereby according due importance and leverage to local public opinion. Mahatma Gandhi had innate love for equality, unflinching support for individual freedom and he consistently pleaded for bringing about a just order through the brotherhood of man that recognized no barriers. His idea of democracy was, in fact, rooted in the idea of decentralization of economic and political power. Gandhi firmly believed that the state was an instrument of exploitation and coercion. He emphasized that the decentralization of power could resolve such problems to a large extent by involving public participation and public opinion in the governance system. Gandhian concept of decentralization is very comprehensive in nature and linked closely with non-violence, swadeshi, khadi and trusteeship etc. Thus, an analysis of these concepts is essential for an in-depth comprehension of his concepts of decentralization and how they lead to political, social and economic decentralization of power. The purpose of the present research paper is to make a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the Gandhian concept of decentralization and to establish link between these concepts with political, social and economic dimensions of the decentralization.

 Keywords:Democracy, Decentralization, Panchayati Raj, Swaraj, Swadeshi