What is the importance of local bodies in the modern times?

Importance of the local bodies:

1. Related with the daily life of the people: The local self-bodies are directly related with the daily life of the people. There is no area of the citizen's life which is not connected with these institutions. These institutions perform the functions related to education, sanitation, public health, industry, etc., and try to tackle the day-to-day problems of the local people.

2. Right solution of the local problems: In a big country like India, there live the people belonging to different religions, languages, caste and customs. There are different types of problems in the different parts of the country. The Union Government or the State Governments are unable to know the local problems of the citizens. Only the local people know the local problems and they can suggest the right solution to the local problems. In this way the local self-bodies play an important role.

3. These bodies lessen the workload of Central and State Governments: In the big countries like India where the population is in millions and the area is very vast, the Central Government and the State Governments have many other important works and problems to solve. Therefore, they may not have much spare time to attend to the local problems. A need arises for local bodies well versed with the nature of the local problems who can solve these problems and lessen the burden of Central and State governments.

4. They awaken the Political Consciousness: The local self-bodies are considered the best schools of democracy. These institutions develop the qualities of the citizens. They awaken the political consciousness of the people and they experience the feelings of liberty and equality. Therefore, for the success of democracy in any country the local self-bodies are essential.

5. Decentralisation of Powers: According to a great thinker of the Political Science Prof. Seeley, “Democracy is that Government where every citizen takes part.” In a country where there is a provision of the local self-institutions, there exists decentralisation of powers. So. people directly take part in the functions connected with their daily needs and the government goes on working in a normal way. The people feel happy and satisfied.

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M. Imp.