Vice President of India, M.Venkaiah Naidu and union ministers dealing with rural and urban development voiced serious concern over less than the desired progress towards empowerment of rural and urban local bodies even after 25 years of legislation by Parliament and urged the States to shed their reluctance in strengthening local governments.
Addressing the first National Consultation Conference on “Swaraj to Suraj: Taking Forward the Governance Agenda’’ in Hyderabad, these lead speakers stressed on the importance of effective local governance for better implementation on development and welfare initiatives and for better service delivery. The theme of the first of the six conferences being organized by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) was ‘’Strengthening of Local Governments” on the occasion of 25 years of 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments since their enactment by the Parliament.
Referring to the daunting problems of poor service delivery encompassing primary health, primary and secondary education, drinking water and sanitation, rural roads, electricity, housing, rising economic inequalities etc., even after 70 years of ‘Swaraj’, Naidu called for a radical change in governance for which Parliament shall take the lead. He said “It is time to harness all the powers we have within our system. It is time for honest introspection. It is time for turning a new leaf. It is time for a radical change in governance. And that change must begin with Parliament, the State Legislatures and the Local Bodies, the crucibles of democracy”.
Expressing his anguish over the events in Parliament and State Legislatures, Venkaiah Naidu, quoting Mahatma said there is no place for violence in legislatures. He said “Let us recall Gandhiji’s wise words: No perfect democracy is possible without perfect nonviolence at the back of it. So, let us abjure violent emotions, violent speech and violent actions. Let us discuss, debate and decide in a dignified manner”. He urged the legislators to argue with the force of logic and conviction rather than stall the proceedings through brute force.
