Types of Local Self-Government
Local self-government is crucial for ensuring democratic governance at the grassroots level. This section classifies local self-government into two main types based on geographical context:
- Rural Areas: Governed by the Panchayati Raj System, which consists of a three-tier structure:
- Gram Panchayat: The lowest tier, dealing with village-level governance. It comprises elected members from the village who discuss and approve local projects.
- Panchayat Samiti: The intermediate tier, overseeing a block of villages, coordinating between them and the Zila Parishad at the district level.
- Zila Parishad: The apex body at the district level, responsible for providing guidelines and support to Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis.
- Urban Areas: Governed by Urban Local Bodies, which can be further classified into:
- Municipal Corporations: Larger urban areas or cities, headed by an elected Mayor.
- Municipalities: Smaller towns or cities with a chairperson or president leading.
- Notified Area Committees: Fast-growing urban areas managed by appointed administrators.
Understanding these structures is essential for comprehending how local governance operates in India and facilitates public participation in decision-making.