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Chairpersons

India Needs Greater Decentralisation to Improve Rural Wages and Trust in Grassroots Democracy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), India requires greater decentralisation to empower local councils and improve rural wages through the increased use of technology in the agricultural sector. The level of decentralisation in China and the US is significantly higher, and India needs to learn from these models. Dev highlighted the success of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which improved wages and built trust in grassroots democracy by implementing the program through panchayats.

Key Takeaways:

  • India needs greater decentralisation to empower local councils and improve rural wages, with a focus on increasing the use of technology in the agricultural sector.
  • The level of decentralisation in China and the US is significantly higher than in India, and India can learn from these models.
  • The implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) through panchayats improved wages and built trust in grassroots democracy.
  • Panchayats play a crucial role in implementing rural development programs, and empowering them with more powers is essential for effective decentralisation.
  • The use of technology in the agricultural sector can improve rural wages and increase the efficiency of rural development programs.
  • The Rohini Nayyar Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Development is a prestigious award that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to rural development in India.

Statistics:

  • The Rohini Nayyar Prize comes with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy.
  • The prize is given out annually by the Nayyar Foundation for Social and Economic Purpose.
  • India has a significant gap in decentralisation compared to China and the US, with Dev highlighting the need for greater decentralisation to empower local councils.

Sources:

  • HT Digital Content ServicesPublished by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Pioneer, India.

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