Articles by Rajagopal Devara

With the effects of the pandemic becoming increasingly severe by the day, there has been an almost total shift to online modes of operation. However, this has created a huge digital divide in the country, aggravating the already existing inequalities. To realise the dream of a digitally inclusive India, internet has to be provided as a public good and at subsidised rates for low-income households.

The ultimate objective of the decentralisation of power and participatory democracy is to build a society wherein the governed people are not just passive voters, but active decision-makers and stakeholders in local self-governance. In 2015, the Government of Maharashtra took a decision to devolve 5% of the Tribal Sub-Plan funds to gram panchayats in districts under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act. This initiative allowed communities to make informed decisions regarding various local matters pertaining to electrification, sanitation, building of roads, schools, etc, and in turn improve the responsiveness of the government in bringing accountability, efficiency and equity.