What is Local Self-Government?

Local Self-Government: Local self-government is a form of democratic governance where involvement is accepted and encouraged at all societal levels. After 1882, when Lord Rippon, the founder of local self-government, took the initiative, elected local self-government organizations were founded. At the time, these were referred to as local bodies. Village panchayats were firmly established in various areas after the Government of India Act was passed in 1919.

What is Local Self-Government?

Local self-government, often referred to as local governance or decentralization, is a system of governance that empowers local communities and authorities to manage and make decisions on matters that directly affect their areas or regions. It is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, as it allows for the distribution of power and decision-making to levels of government closer to the citizens.

Lord Ripon’s Role in the Promotion of Local Self-Government

The idea of decentralization of administration was not new. Municipalities were already there in big towns. However, the government nominated the municipal commissioner. Lord Ripon reformed and promoted the idea of creating municipalities in small towns too. And the municipality’s power was expanded to make local bodies more capable. Non-officials got hold of some power through the local self-government. 

• According to Lord Ripon’s Resolution of Local Bodies in 1882 district boards and local boards were formed. Such boards in rural areas were known as ‘taluk’ or ‘tehsil’.
• Lord Ripon initiated the non-officials in the urban and rural local bodies through the election. But this election had some specific rules. People who were rent-payers could participate in the election. Non-officials would be elected when the officials felt like introducing an election in any place at any time.
• After the Resolution of 1882 non-officials could hold the position of chairman in the local bodies. And nominated members were a maximum of one-third of the total strength. Members were both elected and nominated. So, the strength of the elected non-officials raised in numbers. 
• Local bodies gained some financial power too. But there was supervision of the government in everything. Approval from the officials was necessary in certain cases like the imposition of new taxes, appeals for loans, and so on.
• The local bodies had financial powers which were to be controlled and examined by the government. Still, the formation of Local bodies changed the scenario of Indian history to a great extent. The interference of the officials was minimized in Local bodies.
• These acts were applicable in the local bodies of Madras, Punjab, and Bengal provinces. And such acts helped to attain Lord Ripon’s Resolution of 1882.

History of Local Self-Government in India

The village panchayat was created as a form of local self-government in response to requests for local autonomy during British rule. At the most basic levels of government, they distributed authority to the people. Provinces were also permitted to enact laws under the Government of India Act of 1935. Even though India had local self-government, the constitution’s authors weren’t happy with the current legal framework. In addition, they included Article 40, allowing states to establish autonomous organizations in the shape of local panchayats.

Growth of Local Self-Government in India

Village panchayats were firmly formed in a number of provinces following the Government of India Act in 1919. While Mahatma Gandhi is additionally recognized for playing a significant role in the decentralization of political and economic power at the local level, Rippon is well known for being the father of local self-government. Gandhi ensured that local self-governments were involved in all development efforts and encouraged the strengthening of village panchayats.

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments made it essential for every state to have established rural and urban local self-governments as well as the funding methods for these organizations. Additionally, it became mandatory for these organizations to hold elections every five years. With the establishment of this local government, both rural and urban local bodies received the constitutional protections necessary to assure consistency in their operations and organizational design throughout India. Over 3.1 million people are currently voted to over 250,000 local self-government committees across the nation. 1.3 million of these representatives are women.

Features of Local Self-Government

The following are some of the features of the local self-government:

• Local self-government had responsibilities related to sanitation, water supply, cleaning of local streets, medical aid, and even primary education.
• Improvement in district and taluk boards became noticeable after the promotion of local self-government by Lord Ripon. The administration in local areas became strategic and systematic just like in the big towns. 
• Lord Ripon’s intention behind creating local self-government was to make the Indians experienced in managing their affairs. There were already some existing local self-governments that controlled some specific areas like ferries, sanitation, etc. But these local self-governments lacked power. These were controlled by the officials. Lord Ripon eradicated these problems with the promotion of Local bodies in 1882.

Conclusion

The bureaucracy did not agree with Viceroy Ripon’s liberal ideas. The bureaucracy regarded the Indians as ineligible to participate in the administrative system. So, the local self governments could not gain power in every area. The government superseded and suspended the local bodies whenever needed. Still, Viceroy Ripon showed the Indians a ray of hope with the Resolution of 1882. He believed to empower the Indians. The Indians got partial power in some areas of administration. And this is why Lord Ripon was the ‘Good Viceroy of India’.

FAQs on Local Self-Government

1. What is meant by Local Self-Government?

Local self-government is a form of democratic governance in which even the most basic components of society are encouraged to participate. In other words, people living in cities, towns, and rural communities are the hosts in their own homes. People choose the leaders of local councils, giving them the power to address the most urgent issues.

2. What is the Local Self-Government System in India?

In India, local government is the level of governance below the state. Local self-government means that citizens of towns, villages, and rural communities elect local councils and the leaders who provide them the power to address current issues.

3. What Scheme did Lord Ripon Introduce?

Lord Ripon introduced Local Self Government in 1882 providing Indians with their first taste of freedom. He created the municipal institutions that had developed in the nation since the British Crown had invaded India with his plan for local self-government.

4. Which Governor General Introduced Local Self-government?

The Indian local self-government movement is attributed to Lord Ripon, a British governor-general. In 1882, the British viceroy Lord Ripon expanded the rights and authority of municipal governments. He established local self-government and built India’s representational institutions from the base.

5. Which Act was Passed by Lord Ripon?

The First Factory Act was passed between 1880 and 1884, under the rule of Lord Ripon. In 1881, the First Factory Act was adopted. The Act states that factories should not hire children under the age of seven and should limit their working hours.

6. What was the Objective of Lord Ripon?

According to Lord Ripon, the objective of Local Self Government was to teach the Indians how to run their own affairs. The Indians still remember Lord Ripon’s efforts to promote local self-government.

7. Which is the Oldest System of Local Self-Government in India?

The Panchayat Raj is a political structure that is mostly used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It is a system that originated on the Indian subcontinent. Historical references to it date back to the year 250 CE, making it one of the oldest municipal government systems on the Indian subcontinent.