Citizen participation is a fundamental aspect of any democratic process. When citizens unite to hold the government accountable and ensure their voices are heard, significant changes can take place. To actively contribute to this process, it is crucial for citizens, especially the youth, to have a clear understanding of their role in the democratic process and the potential impact they can have. With this objective in mind, a session on Urban Governance and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act was organised to emphasise the importance of public engagement in ensuring local government's accountability.
As part of the governance module, the session was led by Ms. Kathyayini Chamaraj, a journalist, author, and civic activist who has dedicated over three decades to working on urban issues. Ms. Chamaraj is currently associated with CIVIC, a prominent non-governmental organisation based in Bangalore. CIVIC focuses on urban governance, decentralisation, and promoting citizen participation in decision-making processes. With her wealth of knowledge and expertise, Ms. Chamaraj provided valuable insights during the session.
The development of our country heavily relies on urban areas, making it essential to establish efficient urban areas through effective administration. With this objective in mind, the 74th constitutional amendment was enacted in 1993. This amendment aimed to empower local communities and transform urban local bodies into self-governing institutions. The act aimed to decentralise power, ensure comprehensive urban development, promote social justice, and provide essential civic services such as housing, waste disposal, and road infrastructure.
In today's world, our cities face numerous challenges, including pollution, corruption, the influence of illicit waste management networks, inadequate mechanisms for addressing grievances, and a lack of adherence to the rule of law. In light of these issues, active citizenship becomes crucial to ensure that the government fulfills its responsibilities, prevents the misappropriation of tax funds, and effectively tackles these systemic problems. Throughout the discussion, the facilitator emphasised the significant role citizens can play in addressing these issues and bringing about positive change.
During the session, an overview of the functions, rules and procedures of municipalities, Area Sabha’s, and ward committees were discussed. To translate the provisions of the act into reality, the facilitator suggested numerous actions to promote citizen participation. The fellows were encouraged to familiarise themselves with the functions of ward committees and actively participate in their meetings. They were also urged to engage with monitoring committees in other departments, such as vigilance committees for ration shops, Bal Vikas Samities for Anganwadis, and school development and monitoring committees. By submitting applications, attending ward committee meetings, and submitting petitions, citizens can address issues that require attention, as active citizen involvement and pressure can foster positive change.
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act provides a framework for citizen participation in urban governance, and strengthening citizen participation is crucial to ensure accountable and transparent local government. By actively engaging in the decision-making process, citizens can contribute to the development of their cities and effectively address pressing issues. As our fellows will also be working on a social action project around the issues of urban governance and social accountability in Mysuru, prior knowledge of urban governance, challenges, and the role of citizens in the governance process was necessary.
The session left the fellows with the determination to demand the implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act and actively participate in local governance processes to bring about positive change and improve the quality of life in and around their communities.