A 'District-First Democracy': A New Governance Model to Engage India's Youth
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Federalism, Decentralization, Role of MP, 73rd & 74th Amendments); Indian Economy (Demographic Dividend, Regional Imbalances, Inclusive Growth).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Population and associated issues; Regionalism.
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein; Role of civil services in a democracy; Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Key Highlights from the News
The article argues that deep centralization in India's administrative system is a major obstacle to fully utilizing the capabilities of the nation's youth.
The country's economic growth is concentrated in only a few metropolitan cities. Opportunities are scarce in districts where 85% of India's population resides.
The top-down nature of welfare schemes eradicates political agency at the local level and reduces elected representatives to mere intermediaries for benefits.
As a solution, the author proposes a new governance model called "district-first democracy."
Key components of this idea:
View the district not merely as an administrative unit, but as a democratic commons.
Divide national schemes at the district level and monitor their results locally. This will increase accountability of administrators.
Promote cooperation at the local level between elected representatives, civil society, and the private sector.
This approach will help prevent India's demographic dividend from being wasted and strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
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