Question

The following are different justifications given in favour of local government. Give them ranking and explain why you attach greater significance to a particular rationale than the others. According to you, on which of these rationales the decision of the Gram panchayat of Vengaivasal village was based? How?

Accepted Answer

I would rank the justifications in the following order: (c), (b), (a), and (d). I attach the greatest significance to rationale (c) because local government believes that local knowledge and local interest are essential ingredients for democratic decision making. It is about government that involves the day-to-day life and problems of ordinary citizens. While cost-effectiveness and accessibility are practical benefits, the primary rationale is that people know their needs best and should have the right to take decisions about their life. The other justifications are secondary; development plans having greater acceptability (b) and completing projects with lesser cost (a) are positive outcomes of local participation, while difficulty in contacting representatives (d) highlights a limitation of centralised governance. The decision of the Gram panchayat of Vengaivasal village was based on rationale (c). The context states that the village was able to retain its land and the right to decide what to do with it because of the relentless efforts of its Panchayat President and members. This aligns with the justification that people know their area and priorities best. By collective participation, the village successfully asserted its authority to decide on local resources, proving that local knowledge and the right to self-determination are crucial for protecting community interests. — The answer ranks the options by prioritizing the democratic ideal of participation (c) over…

Explanation

Apar Academy