2025, Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A

The term local government means management of local affairs by people of the locality. It means the government freely elected by local bodies which are endowed with power, discretion, and responsibility to be exercised and discharged by them with discretion by any other higher authority. It is a territorial non sovereign community possessing the legal right and necessary organizations to regulate its own affairs. The local government system is rooted in the principle that a dynamic democracy can grow only out of meaningful relationship and spontaneous organization that spring up among the people when they come together at local level to solve their basic problems by cooperation among themselves. This principle was recognised in India even during the new Stone Age when people started to have a fixed abode and began cultivation. The traces of an organised local government can be seen even from the Vedic period (1500 BC to 600 BC).This article traces the utility of LSG in India, historical development of LSG in India under different rulers. It analysis the fall of LSG during the British rule and its rise with the inclusion of Article 40 in the Indian Constitution.It also throws light in to the 73^th and 74^th Constitutional amendments and attempts to legalise LSG in India. It also gives a brief analysis of Central legislation on LSG in India its lacunae’s and suggests effective steps for the better implementation.
Local Self-Government (LSG)-Decentralization-73^rd and 74^th Amendments-Grassroots Democracy-Historical Development of LSG in India-Panchayati Raj System