Learning Offer 2Collectivization/Federating Local Government

Travel workshop in India

Date: 24 August ~2nd September, 2014

Supported by, LOGIN-Asia Network

LOGIN AsiaLocal Governance Initiative and Network

- South and East Asia centric multi stakeholder knowledge network on Decentralization and Local Governance

- The network is serviced by a Secretariat located in Delhi, sponsored and hosted by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

- Thematic Priority: Improving Public Service Delivery- Strengthening Transparency and Accountability- Building Capacities for Local Governance- Gender and Social Inclusion- Strengthening Fiscal Decentralization

Participants ….

• Bangladesh participants:

# Jahirul Islam, Helvetas-Intercoperation # Israat Jahan, DASCOH # Rakhi Barua,CDD

Collectives led by Civil Society Experience in Bhuj, Gujrat,

- Setu Avhiyan –Civil society organizationKutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan(KMVS),--GramShashini- federation of Elected Women Representatives(EWR) and

potential women leaders,c urrent and former Sarpanc-Susashinee-Panchayet cell of KMVS-Association of Gram Panchayet representatives of Ajar and Gandhidham

Block by

Snap shots…

Collectives/federations in other places..

• Mahila Rajsatta Andolon(MRA), at Maharastra.-a campaign with village women in Governance initiated by RSCD,Mumbai

• Rajib Ghandi Panchayet Raj Sanghathon, by Congress Party

• Janavikasa, Karnataka- strengthening democracy through decentralization

Panchayati Raj Institutions in IndiaLegislative framework for Decentralization

• Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayati Raj a decentralized form of Government where each village is responsible

for its own affairs, as the foundation of India's political system• The term for such a vision was Gram Swaraj ("village self

governance")• The genesis -In 1958, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru coined this

term as an extension of Gandhiji’s belief. Rajasthan was the first state to adopt Panchayat Raj in 1958.

• The Constitutional (73rd Amendment) Act, passed in 1992 by the Narasimha Rao government, came into force on April 24, 1993.

• by the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Indian Constitution 3- tier Panchayts at village ,Block and District level came into existence

Reason behind the Collectivization of LG/WER….

-provide a uniform constitutional, structural and legal framework for devolution of powers to the local governing bodies, including financial powers

to plan for economic development & social Justice and ensure effective service delivery

-33% percent or one third of the total elected member seats are reserved for women candidates, women successfully entered into politics

Even after… -A large number are illiterate, powerless, disadvantaged, exploited , unaware

women-Patriarchal attitude to EWR- “politics is not women ‘s job “ - Influence of men in decision making and oppressing……. - Were denied to execution/administration/implementation power/cooperation,

respect, express of opinion..-Centralization of schemes, top down planning, little devolution, absence of clear

cut Panchayat functions and a weak gram sabha has stalled decentralizationPRIs remain weak

What happened when they collectivize..

• Served as a platform for EWRs to share their issues and interact with Government to rural governance

• Pre Election Voter Awareness Campaign,programm felicitation

• Support GPs for the implementation of schemes of Gov.• To voice and address issues related to GPS• Enabling EWR through community radio program….etc

etc…• Operates Mahiti Kendra or Information centre – Interaction

with communities to help them understand nitty-gritty of schemes & benifitts.

• These Federations have been success full in enhancing capacities of elected representatives

• Institutionalising reform on women centric issue• Influencing policy through advocacy on behalf of

elected representatives.

Kerala Gram Panchayath Association(KGPA)

Kerala is the role model for Institutional Decentralization, pioneering state in India adopted decentralized planning.

KGPA one of the first of its kind to be organized in India for local governments

• Existing 978 Grama Panchayaths in Kerala are affiliated to this association.

.• KGPA president is the member of Governing body of Kerala

Institute of Local Government (KILA)• Head office of the association is in Thiruvanathapuram, • KGPA had executed many programmes and activities

independently as well as with the support from SDC CapDeck

Extent of Decentralisation…

• Important institutions of public service like health centre, hospitals, schools, krishibhaban, Integrated child development services, agriculture extention, and so on are transferred to GPs

• Devolution of state plan funds to LG-unlike rest of the India• Power to collect taxes• Kudumbashree programme is a unique women empowerment

antipoverty program associated with LG program • Inputs to the 11th and 12th Year Plan process in Kerala (under

India’s 5year planning process) through a consultative approach

Mumbai Workshop Group work of Bangladesh team• Why Collectivization in Bangladesh:• To share best practices to policy influence• To strengthen decentralization• To improve capability and capacity of LGI• To better address the needs of the community• To get the written policies into actions• To solve problems• To advocate for the reforms in the governance• There are many actors like LGD, NILG, Donors, development

partners. National capacity development framework. It is easier for them to work through collectivization.

Enabling factors in Bangladesh..

• Strong LG system• LG functionaries are well aware about their

problem so there is FELT NEED• No legal Constraints• NILG is mandated to support• No of donors/Civil society organizations• National frameowork

Constraints/inadequacies in Bangladesh…

• Not much effort so far• Lack of awareness• No need assessment undertaken• No awareness building incollectivization• Existing initiatives are not being shared• Vested interest• Lack of clarity on who will take the initiatives.• Lack of collaboration among development

partners, big NGOs

Reflection at the end by Bangladesh team….(group work)

• Inspiration we took back as group…

• Collective efforts from all the stakeholders make a difference• True manifestation of Inclusive Development

• At least one idea that I will speak amongst my colleagues/community

• Strengthen the existing standing committee of LG• Sensitizing government to speak in favour of collectivisation of LG• Mobilizing women to collectivize• VISIT KERALA to see Inclusive Practice by GramPanchayet

How can you do take the idea to carry forward?....• Workshop in individual organization and carry forward • Seminar on Collectivization with LG actors including LOGIN• Facilitating more stronger civic engazement-CDD• Advocacy with LG representatives for policy influence towards

inclusive practice.CDD

Any Further support from LOGIN on this topic… LOGIN supports to provide conceptual notes and technical assistance A follow-up learning workshop in next year Support from LOGIN to further disseminate best practices among it’s

members of other countries-CDD

Last but not the least..

Our great learning Facilitators….• Joy Elamon, Helvetas, India • Preera Lall, teamleader, LOGIN Secretariet• JayaPadma, learning facilitator• Sushma Ayer- learning facilitator• Along with staff members from

• KGPA, Kerala ; KMVS and Setu Avyguan Lata Sachdeb Shrestha , Kruti, Veena Mohor