The local government institutions in India have been in existence in some form or the other, since time immemorial. It has been reinvented and has emerged as a new avatar in modern times. These institutions are an integral part of the three tier system of government in India. These institutions are organs that promote grassroots democracy, provide civic services for the welfare of local people; and carry out the task of rural and urban development, and planning. They operate both in rural as well as urban areas. These institutions are created by the national and state enactments at the base of the governmental institutions with national government at the apex and state government at the middle level. “Local Government of India: Urban and Rural Setting” provides a comprehensive overview of the administrative and legal frameworks governing grassroots democracy in India, spanning from historical, community-based development programs to modern, digital-driven initiatives. It details the structures of both the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions and urban municipal corporations, including their nancial mechanisms and the pivotal 73rd Constitutional Amendment. The text covers key topics such as the Balwant Rai Mehta and Ashok Mehta Committee recommendations, the function of DRDAs, and the implementation of MGNREGA. This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of rural and urban local self-government in India, covering topics like Panchayati Raj, municipal bodies, and development programmes. It breaks down the study into units dealing with historical evolution, institutional structure, nancial resources, and constitutional amendments. Key areas like the 73rd Amendment, MNREGA, and urban administration are discussed.
Dr. Arvind Kumar Rawat is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Siddhartha University. He is a resident of Lucknow. He was selected by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission and served in the Government of Uttar Pradesh for eight years. He also worked as a Project Fellow at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University under the UGC-DST-II Programme. Dr. Rawat served as an approved Academic Counsellor at Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University (KMC Language University/KINOU). In 2025, he was appointed as a G-20 Ambassador under the University Connect Programme by the Higher Education Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. At present, he is serving as In-charge Deputy Librarian and Academic Council Member at Siddhartha University. He is also Coordinator of IPDS and is actively involved in several university responsibilities, including Member of the Selection Committee, Research Advisory Committee, and other academic bodies. He was also appointed as Chief Buyer (Purchase Ofcer) of Siddhartha University. Dr. Rawat received a Certicate of Appreciation for his excellent contribution during the G-20 University Connect Programme. He has been actively engaged in academics and research for more than 20 years.
Preface UNIT: 1 1.1. Meaning and Concept of Rural Local Government 1.2 Growth of Rural Local Government Institutions In India 1.3 Community Development Programme, National Extension Programme 1.4 Origin and Significance of Panchayati Raj: Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, Ashok Mehta Committee UNIT: 2 2.1 Composition of Zila Parishad, Functions and Powers 2.2 Personnel of Zila Parishad 2.3 Composition of Panchayat Samiti, Functions and Powers of Panchayat Samiti 2.4 Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha UNIT: 3 3.1 Financial Resources of Panchayati Raj Institutions 3.2 State Control Over Panchayati Raj Institutions 3.3 Political Parties and People’s Participation In Panchayati Raj Institutions 3.4 Integrated Rural Development UNIT: 4 4.1 District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) 4.2 73rd Constitutional Amendment 4.3 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MANREGA) 4.4 Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Rural Development UNIT: 5 5.1 Meaning and Significance of Local Government In India 5.2 Meaning and Significance of Urban Local Government 5.3 Urban Local Government In Ancient, Medieval and Modern Times 5.4 Urban Local Government After Independence UNIT: 6 6.1 Municipal Corporation, Meaning, Composition and Functions 6.2 Financial Resources of Municipal Corporation 6.3 State’s Control Upon Municipal Corporation 6.4 Mayor, Municipal Commissioner UNIT: 7 7.1 Municipal Council, Functions and Powers of Municipal Councils 7.2 Financial Resources of Municipal Councils, Financial Difficulties and Suggestions For Improvement 7.3 New Areas For Improving Municipal Resources 7.4 Municipal Personnel, Suggestions For Reforms in The Condition of Municipal Employees 7.5 Municipal Committee, Functions and Powers of Executive Officer UNIT: 8 8.1 Other Institutions of Local Government Working In Urban Areas 8.2 Town and Country Planning 8.3 74th Constitutional Amendment 8.4 Urban Government and Good Governance Bibliography Index
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