If a streetlamp in your neighbourhood is broken, who would you contact to fix it? If a village road needs to be repaired, would the local people reach out to the Central Government?
For a broken streetlamp in your neighbourhood, you would contact the local municipal corporation or panchayat office, as streetlights are managed by local governments.
For a village road repair, local people would not reach out to the Central Government directly. Instead, they would contact the local panchayat or municipality, which handles local infrastructure like roads.
This is because decisions regarding local matters should be taken at the level closest to the people. The local municipal body can do it faster.
The Central Government handles matters of national importance like defence and foreign affairs, not local infrastructure issues.
Explanation
This question appears on Page 20. The chapter explains decentralisation and why local problems should be solved locally: 'Tasks that can be performed locally should be left in the hands of the local people and their representatives. The local municipal body can do it faster.' The chapter also states that 'if the country's defence is at stake, that is the responsibility of the central government.'
Solution Steps
For a broken streetlamp, contact the local municipal corporation or panchayat office
For village road repair, contact the local panchayat or municipality, not the Central Government
Local matters should be decided at the level closest to the people
Central Government handles national matters like defence and foreign affairs