Local Self-Governments are institutions that look after the administration of an area or a small community such as a village, a town or a city. They operate at the lowest level of society – the grassroot level, close to the people. Local Self-Government is the management of local affairs by local bodies elected by the local people; they provide services and act as an instrument of democratic self-government.
1. Historical Background
- Local self government is a very old concept in India. It was at its peak under the later Cholas (Imperial Cholas of Tanjore).
- There are historical records of local self government under the Mauryan administration.
- In the medieval period it declined due to the onslaught of feudalism.
- It was revived in the British period, in the last quarter of the 19th century, with Lord Ripon's Resolution in 1882. Lord Ripon is known as the 'Father of Local Government'; he gave Indians the first taste of freedom and advocated decentralisation of administration.
- Under the Government of India Act, 1935, provincial autonomy was introduced; the Act came into force in 1937.
- After Independence, the Gandhian ideal of Grama Swaraj (Village Republic) greatly influenced the constitution makers. Restoration of panchayats had become an article of faith during the freedom struggle.