QUESTION: Independence of local level institutions in a democracy is the barometer of governance . Discuss.
GS-2 Mains
The Hindu Editorial Topic- THE CRITICAL ROLE OF DECENTRALISED RESPONSES
WHAT?
Role of local governments and decentralised response.
WHY IN NEWS?
COVID-19 has brought four major challenges: Economic, Health, Welfare/livelihood and resource mobilisation and these have to be addressed by all tiers of govt. in the federal polity , jointly and independently.
SIGNIFICANCE:
COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the critical role of local governments and decentralised responses.
This critical role of local govt’s will have to be recognised by all.
Local govts are at an advantage in terms of infra., monitoring and immediate action and so are better equipped to meet the challenges posed by disasters such as coronavirus.
ISSUES:
(1) GOVERNANCE RELATED ISSUES:
There is a lack of clarity in the assignment of functions , functionaries and financial responsibilities to local govts.
The bodies that came up after 73rd and 74th Const. amendments have distorted the functions of fund flow at the lower level of governance.
(2). WEAK LOCAL FINANCES:
A recent study shows that the share of property tax in GDP has been declining since 2002-03. This gives wrong signal.
In states such as UP, Bihar and Jharkhand, local tax collection at the panchayat level is next to nil.
The Eco. Survey 2017-18 points out that Urban local govts generate about 44% of their revenue from own sources as against only 5% by rural local govts.
Per capita own revenue collected by urban local govts is about 3% of urban per capita income. There is a gap between tax potential and actual collection , resulting in gross underperformance of these institutions.
(3). INADEQUATE GRANTS FROM FINANCE COMMISSION;
There is only an increase of RS.63 crore for panchayats.
Local govt. grant of RS.90,000 crore for 2020-21 by 15th Fin. Commission is only 3% higher than that recommended by 14th FC.
CURRENT MEASURES BY GOVT.:
Imposition of restrictive conditionalities on states availing themselves of the enhanced borrowing limits (3.5% to 5% of GSDP) for 2020-21 would impair state’s abilities to finance their plans.
WAY FORWARD:
Well-equipped and fiscally empowered local govts strategies can tackle COVID-19 crises.
LOCAL RESOURCE MOBILISATION: own revenue is the critical lever of local govt. empowerment.
PROPERTY TAX: Indian states should take necessary steps to enhance and rationalise property tax regime.
INNOVATIVE POLICIES: land monetisation and betterment levy may be tried in the context of COVID-19 in India.
MPLADS SCHEME: funds for local area devt. must be assigned to local govts
A special covid-19 containment grant to local govt. by 15th FC to be distributed.
There should be focus on basic infra. Such as HEALTH and Disease control strategies at local level.
There is a need for better functional mapping among the different organs of governance.
Short Notes
WHAT?
Role of local governments + decentralised response.
WHY IN NEWS?
COVID-19 & four major challenges: Economic, Health, Welfare/livelihood and resource mobilisation.
SIGNIFICANCE:
COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the critical role of local governments and decentralised responses.
Recognition of govts’ critical role + Local govts are at an advantage in terms of infra.& monitoring.
ISSUES:
(1) GOVERNANCE RELATED ISSUES: lacking clarity in functions + responsibilities.
The bodies that came up after 73rd and 74th Const. amendments have distorted the functions of fund flow at the lower level of governance.
(2). WEAK LOCAL FINANCES:
Declining share of property tax in GDP = since 2002-03.
In states such as UP, Bihar and Jharkhand= less tax collection.
The Eco. Survey 2017-18 points out that Urban local govts generate about 44% of their revenue from own sources.
(3). INADEQUATE GRANTS FROM FINANCE COMMISSION to local govts.
CURRENT MEASURES BY GOVT.:
Imposition of restrictive conditionalities on states + enhancing borrowing limits.
WAY FORWARD = Well-equipped and fiscally empowered local govts strategies.
LOCAL RESOURCE MOBILISATION
PROPERTY TAX = enhance + rationalise tax.
INNOVATIVE POLICIES: land monetisation and betterment .
MPLADS SCHEME: funds for local area devt.
A special covid-19 containment grant to local govt. by 15th FC to be distributed.
Should be focus on HEALTH and Disease control strategies at local level.
Need for better functional mapping among the different organs of governance.
QUESTION: The covid-19 crisis has made e-diplomacy a new way of conducting international affairs . Elaborate on the benefits and disadvantages
GS-2/3 Mains
The Hindu Editorials Topic – THE E-DIPLOMACY/DIGITAL DIPLOMACY EXPERIMENT
WHAT?
India-Australia ties and e-diplomacy .
WHY IN NEWS?
Recently, the first Indo-Australia virtual leaders’ summit held and India has engaged through video-conference.
UNDERSTANDING E-DIPLOMACY:
E-diplomacy / digital dip. is the use of digital tools of communication (social media) by diplomats to communicate with each other.
Leaders are using the digital space to spread awareness of govt. campaigns through hashtags and to disseminate info. and analyses during covid-19 like crises.
Hence India is no stranger to this.
BACKGROUND:
PM Modi has engaged in a few multinational e-diplomacy rounds since covid-19 outbreak like the SAARC leader video conference, G-20 leaders’ summit via Video link and the NAM virtual summit.
INDIA-AUSTRALIA TIES:
Both nations have upgraded their relations to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’.
DETAILS:
E-Summits are physically safer for leaders and also are time saving and economical.
Dangers by covid-19 have compelled the traditional art of summit diplomacy to adapt. Educational institutions are teaching online and are left with no other choice but to do the same.
CHALLENGES BEFORE E-DIPLOMACY:
There is a fear that digital diplomacy will be less productive in terms of deliverables.
Online summits may not be able to satisfy the broader political goals and bigger objectives.
Major threat to virtual summits is of CYBER INSECURITY . Hence e-dip. is riskier and could be subjected to hacking of classified content.
TAKEAWAYS:
Sustaining balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region will strengthen diplomatic ties between both nations and gaps in diplomatic summits can be cemented with collective resolve. Hence, having online summit is better than no summit at all.
Short Notes
THE E-DIPLOMACY/DIGITAL DIPLOMACY EXPERIMENT
WHAT?
India-Australia ties and e-diplomacy .
WHY IN NEWS?
Recently, the first Indo-Australia virtual leaders’ summit held + India’s engagement through video-conference.
UNDERSTANDING E-DIPLOMACY:
E-diplomacy / digital dip. = digital tools of communication (social media) by diplomats to communicate with each other + generating awareness digitally.
BACKGROUND:
PM Modi has engaged in SAARC , G-20 , NAM leaders summit = through virtual platform.
INDIA-AUSTRALIA TIES:
Both nations = ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’.
DETAILS:
E-Summits = physically safer + economical.
Educational inst. = teaching online.
CHALLENGES BEFORE E-DIPLOMACY:
less productive in terms of deliverables + not satisfying the broader political goals & bigger objectives + Major threat = CYBER INSECURITY.
TAKEAWAYS:
Balancing of power in the Indo-Pacific region = strengthen diplomatic ties & cementing gaps b/w both nations.
हिन्दी