Devolution to local bodies

Empowering Urban Governments – UPSC GS2

RBI Report: Local governments played a great role in combating the pandemic, but this has now worsened their economic situation. Functional autonomy of civic bodies must increase and governance structures should be strengthened. What steps have been taken for urban governance empowerment in the past? National Commission on Urbanisation with Charles Correa as Chairperson was …

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Annual Report on State Finances – UPSC GS2

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its annual study of state finances. Findings of Report: On State Finance: States’ gross fiscal deficit breached the 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) mark. Combined revenue deficit of the state governments rose from 0.1% of GDP in 2018-19 to 2% of GDP in 2020-21 because of the pandemic. This was in …

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Need to strengthen Panchayati Raj System – UPSC GS2

Evolution of Panchayati Raj System During the Ancient period, the Cholas pioneered the formation of local bodies to oversee the implementation of State plans. During the British period, in 1884, the Madras Local Boards Act was passed. After that, unions in both small towns and big cities were formed to ensure better administration. Gram panchayat laws were …

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Decentralisation for Human Capital – UPSC GS2

Why should there be a focus on a decentralised approach? The government has launched various programs like Poshan Abhiyan and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. But they have failed to deliver optimum results. International studies show there is a positive correlation between decentralisation and human capital formation. India spends only 4% of its GDP on human capital …

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Municipal Reforms : 15th FC – UPSC GS2

Reforms are suggested by the 15th Finance commission to improve the financial governance of India’s municipalities. Facts: Note: India has 4,500 municipalities out of which approx. 250 municipalities are urban agglomerations with 53 million-plus population. It contains 44 per cent of the total urban population. Whereas, the remaining 4,250-plus municipalities comprise 56 per cent of the total urban …

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