Answer the following questions

1. What is meant by decentralization? What measures have been taken for centralization in India?

2.What are the merits and demerits of decentralization in India?

3.Explain briefly the need and significance of power sharing.

4.How is power shared among governments at different level.

5.What do you mean by Community government?

1. Decentralisation refers to the extension of federal principles and autonomous decision-making. It means providing people with the power to make decisions for themselves at grassroots levels.

   Major step towards decentralization was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective.

   
   
   • It is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
   • Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
   • At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
   • An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
   • The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State.
2. MERITS 

• Regional stability
• Equitable allocation of funds
• The participation of all in law making

  DEMERITS

•  irregular elections 
• upper caste domination
• power and responsibility diffused

3.It is necessary to share power among different social groups in a democracy because of moral and prudential reasons:

• Prudentially because power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. Imposing the will of majority community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation. Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
• Morally or deeper reason is that sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

4.  Power Sharing at Different Levels: Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. Such a general government for the entire country is usually called federal government. In India, we refer to it as the Central or Union Government. The governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names in different countries. In India, we call them State Governments. State Governments and Central Government have their distinct areas to exercise power. This is called federal division of power.

5. Community government is an elected body by people belonging to one language, one culture or any common property no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.