UPSC Mains 2024 GS2 Q5 — Local Self Government
Analyse the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Analysebring out
- Scope keywords
- local bodiesgood governancelocal levelmergingrural local bodiesurban local bodies
- Implicit sub-parts
- The 73rd and 74th Amendments' role in enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
- Arguments for a unified governance structure (Rurbanism) in the context of urban sprawl and peri-urban areas.
- Operational and constitutional challenges in merging distinct administrative frameworks.
- Impact on resource allocation and representative demographics (reservations).
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time on the history of the 73rd/74th amendments rather than their role in 'good governance'.
- Failing to mention the concept of 'Peri-urban' areas or 'Rurban' clusters where the merge is most relevant.
- Neglecting the constitutional barriers, such as the different lists and functions under the 11th and 12th schedules.
- Treating 'pros and cons' of merging as a general list without connecting them to administrative efficiency or service delivery.
- Dimensions required
- Constitutional (11th and 12th Schedules)Administrative (Service delivery, planning, and synergy)Financial (Revenue generation and tax base expansion)Social (Inclusion and grassroots representation)Developmental (Continuity in land-use planning and infrastructure)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 40-50 words to analyze the 'good governance' role (accountability, participation). Use the remaining 100 words to evaluate the merger, ensuring a balanced 50-50 split between pros (synergy, peri-urban management) and cons (constitutional hurdles, dilution of rural focus), concluding with a brief way forward like Rurban clusters.
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