This book discusses the evolution of the third tier of the Indian federal system, with a focus on rural local governance (commonly known as Panchayati Raj) against the backdrop of important theoretical and empirical literature on the relevance and effectiveness of service delivery in the decentralized system. It evaluates the quintessence of the functioning of the Panchayati Raj in the past two decades of its existence.

This pioneering book also discusses the treatment of the third-tier government in the inter-governmental fiscal transfer framework and the delineation of the unique institution of local self-government in the Northeastern Indian States. In the light of the loosely evolved fiscal relations between three levels of government, it has been observed that local self-governments in the bottom tier have not been truly empowered yet. The book argues in favor of integrating the third-tier government into the Indian federal system and suggests how this could be achieved.

Discusses how the third-tier government has been treated in the inter-governmental fiscal transfer framework as provided in the Indian Constitution. Addresses the issue of integrating the third-tier government generally, covering both panchayats and municipalities in the Indian federal system. Describes the structure and design of the Panchayati Raj and highlights some of the design deficits. Suggests steps towards integrating the third-tier government in the Indian federal system.

Autorentext

Atul Sarma is currently Chairman Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati and also Visiting Professor at Institute of Human Development, New Delhi. He was the Head and Professor of Economics at the Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi and also the Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University. He was also an ICSSR National Fellow. Prof. Sarma was a Member of the Thirteenth Finance Commission, Government of India. He authored several books and a large number of research papers in reputed national and international journals in the areas of Public finance and policy and Development economics. Debabani Chakravarty is a Ph.D in Economics from Gauhati University and currently works as a senior researcher in DEFT Advisory and Research Pvt. Limited. Previously, she had been with the Women's Studies Research Centre, Gauhati University and the Institute for Human Development, New Delhi. Apart from public economics, her areas of research interests include gender, environment and issues of urban transport.

Inhalt
Acknowledgments.- Abbreviations.- Chapter 1 Introduction.- Chapter 2 Economics of Decentralization.- Chapter 3 Evolution of Panchayati Raj in India.- Chapter 4 Unique Institution of Local Self Government in the Northeast.- Chapter 5 Design of the Panchayati Raj.- Chapter 6 Two Decades of Panchayati Raj.- Chapter 7 Third-tier Government in Inter-governmental Fiscal Transfer Framework.- Chapter 8 Towards Integrating Third-tier in Indian Federal System.