Article on Local Govt.

["Premkumar S. Rallabandi" <psr3855@unix.tamu.edu>]

Friends:
	Thought this article on local govt. is of great interest to us on this
list. Remember, we are supposed to be focussing on this issue for this week
(or was it last week?). Anyway, I would like you to read this article in
Indian Express about Nagarpalika act; this can be found at:

              http://www.timesofindia.com/today/04edit11.htm 

It would be great if someone can post the text of the same here so that we
have a copy. I am unable to do this because of some technical difficulties.

To me it seems like there is a tremendous need to educate the common man as
well as those in power in the basic principles of democracy. I believe Govt.
has this responsibility to spread the message of preoples' involvement.
But how do we do it? Open schools to teach democracy? Fund NGO's to do this?
For one, we should have it in our educational policy to ensure
that appropriate lessons are designed to teach children the priciples of 
democracy very thoroughly. So should the lessons in basic equality of humans,
human rights, and the value of human life.

Also we should have courses developed for legislators that teach them about
these principles. Incentives should be designed to encourage them to attend 
the same.

Have to train people in city management. For this the govt. should open
special colleges for teaching and research in public adminstration. 

Criteria should be developed for measuring the professionalization of 
local govts. More funds should be allocated to cities that excel in this
respect.

Awards should be set up for recognizing people who strive to educate people
about democratic process.

What more do you all think would help make India more democratic? How to make
the local govts. stronger?

regards,

Prem.