Q18.To what extent, in your opinion, as the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?

Decentralisation, constitutionally enshrined through the 73rd and 74th Amendments, empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), fundamentally aiming to shift power closer to the grassroots.

Positive Transformations in Grassroots Governance

• Significantly increased political participation, especially for women and marginalized sections, through mandated reservations, fostering inclusive democracy.
• Enabled improved local planning, decision-making, and more effective implementation of welfare schemes, making governance more responsive to specific community needs.

Limitations and Unaddressed Gaps

• Persistent challenges include inadequate devolution of the '3 Fs': Funds, Functions, and Functionaries, severely limiting the autonomy and operational effectiveness of local bodies.
• Issues such as political interference, bureaucratic resistance, and insufficient capacity building for local representatives continue to hinder robust grassroots governance.

While decentralisation has profoundly altered India's governance landscape by fostering local democracy and accountability, its full transformative potential remains largely unrealized due to inherent structural and operational gaps.