An effective and ethical governance arises from a balance—or a progression—from practical, pragmatic, realistic decision-making toward visionary, value-driven goals i.e. idealism. Pragmatism in local self-governance focuses on what works in the real world. It intends to bring flexible, adjusting policies as per local needs and constraints, like resources, time and fund. Pragmatism ensures that governance remains functional, responsive, and grounded in reality. Idealism ensures that governance remains ethical, aspirational, and people-cantered.
Good local self-governance arises when we start with the practical tools of pragmatism, people participation, mapping the magnitude of needs and use them to pursue the goals of idealism by tackling current problems realistically, while constantly steering toward long-term ideals, and adapting methods, but not losing sight of the destination.
Albeit, Panchayati Raj system in India has traditionally been seen as a grassroots mechanism for local dispute resolution, its true potential is far broader and more transformative.
Resolving local disputes is part of the system’s role — but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, gave Panchayats constitutional status, empowering them as institutions of local self-governance with a developmental mandate.
It envisages eligibility, entitlement, engagement, say in decision making, attaining goals like universalising education, skill development, health, livelihood by preparing 5-10 years roadmap with available and accessible money and trained manpower.
Panchayati Raj is a dynamic, evolving system, moving beyond dispute resolution to becoming the foundation of local democracy and development. It connects policy with people, ensuring that governance is not just for the people but by and with the people, using a clear, community-driven roadmap.
Transitioning is essential for true democratic decentralisation. Despite constitutional backing, there are challenges in full implementation of the 3Fs – Function, Fund and Functionaries, to ensure Panchayats control key development sectors like health, education, water, sanitation, environment etc., available and accessible untied, predictable funding to enable planning and execution and placing trained technical and administrative staff under Panchayat supervision, not just under state departments with regular follow up and capacity building of stakeholders.
The aim and effort should be that all development programmes converge at the local level – Gram Sabha. As Convergence at the Gram Sabha is not just administrative efficiency – it is democratic empowerment, when all schemes converge at the grassroots, the result will be better outcomes, real accountability, and most importantly, a sense of ownership among the people.
(The author is a former Chief Consultant to the Ministry of Education, Government of India. All views and opinions expressed are his own)
