Introduction

A democracy is not complete with an elected government only at the centre and at the State level -- it is equally necessary to have an elected government right at the local level, to look after local affairs. This chapter studies how local government is structured in India, why local governments matter, and the ways the Constitution tries to give them independent powers. By the end of the chapter you should be able to explain the importance of local government bodies, describe the provisions made by the 73rd and 74th Amendments, and understand the functions and responsibilities that local government bodies actually carry out.