The media and the republic

Self-governance in tribal villages is not a threat to national sovereignty

Give more power to local bodies

Small cities win big on waste management

When it comes to managing their waste, small cities are showing the way through key policies and strict monitoring

Elected democracy: democratic enough?

Global trends reveal that people are no longer finding this popular governance mechanism effective

After the windfall

The Centre has promised more money to panchayats, but there is many a slip between cup and lip

At last in wonderland

Kerala's decentralisation programme is an example of the difference a strong civil society can make

Bill must ensure power to the people

The political debate on the Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika bills does not address the issue of giving power to the people so they can take …

Second disempowerment

Tribals have lost their decision-making power twice; first to the state then to the Maoists

Yojna Banao Abhiyan - then a hit, now a miss

The local administration in Jharkhand is undermining the decentralised scheme, created to enhance livelihood, manage natural resources and …

Nagaland tribal bodies are protesting reservation for women in local bodies

Women’s rights activists say that it shows the unwillingness of tribal bodies to share power

You can be sued for your social media posts

Copyright issues related to social media posts are a concern as platforms are shutting down accounts without notice

Boss, the real beehive!

Rahul Gandhi’s idea of governance needs fresh focus. How about more autonomy to nearly 240,000 panchayats?

Tamil Nadu district climate change missions: Is it really decentralised governance?

Climate change governance at the local / district level should be collaborative, flexible, strategic and reflective, rather than a bureaucrat-…

Karnataka revives dying lakes: Why a decentralised governance was long overdue

The High Court of Karnataka June 15, 2021 passed an order calling for decentralised governance of lakes in the state

Punjab’s panchayat flip-flop

State considers reverting to direct polls, court raps it for taking away right to recall sarpanch

Self-help

Democracy "of the people, by the people and for the people". Madhya Pradesh takes the lead

Panchayati bonanza

13th Finance Commission puts money in the hands of local governments

“It is a new model of development”

“Roles of village head are increasing”

“Basic service delivery has improved”

“Has space for women leadership”

“Panchayatiraj has opened the flood gate of democracy”

“Panchayatiraj ended people's isolation”

“The Supreme Court's Vedanta verdict is an irony”

Central concerns

In a bid to give more fiscal autonomy to states, the Centre in the last budget gave them a higher share in Union tax receipts. Has this helped …