Government at all levels should be guided by the principle of subsidiarity. Comment

[PUB AD- Answer writing]

13th report

2nd ARC 

page 77

[McGregor]

Principle of Subsidiarity(PoS) means that what can be delegated should be delegater to lower tier of governments by union government. 

Merits of PoS

1. It strengthens the social contract between the people and the government by involving people in process of governance. e.g. Soial audits. 

2. Accountability for any action or inaction by the government e.g. Mahila gram sabhas pressurizing state to take action against social evils like child trafficking.

3. Improves quality of service delivery thereby making governance client oriented (NPM value) through improved effectiveness and outcomes. e.g. better identification of beneficiary.

4. Greater convergence between multiple schemes and programmes of upper tier of government.

5. Local problems have local solutions thereby making development more customized and bottom up. 

6. Delegation and Decentralization through PoS leads to creative and innovative participatory governance e.g. Dantewada district became cashless inspite of minimum ICT infrastructure. 

7. Promotes Inclusive development by giving voice and choice to the vulnerable sections such as women through increased leadership roles in local level e.g. chhavi rajjawat , Ashajee pandit

8. Overcomes Governance deficit and aid curse by boosting intitutional capaity e.g. community policing PRAHARI in ASSAM 

2nd ARc has argued strongly in favour of practicing principle of subsidiarity for securing COMMON WEAL for every section of the society. For that we need to empower local self governance in India which is possible through adoption of SWADESH MODEL or KERELA model wherein there is increased participation of people in the process of governance.