Devolution index

The word Devolution is used in any contexts. it is both compared and contrasted with decentralization, delegation and de-concentration. Some scholars have articulated that decentralization involves devolution, delegation and de-concentration. Other feels that decentralization may proceed without devolution whereas devolution necessarily leads to decentralization. Passing down or descent through successive stages can easily be defined as any of these four processes.
In the context of governance devolution is concerned with passing on of power, authority and rights and/or duties and responsibilities or even funds from a higher level of jurisdiction to a lower level jurisdiction and making them autonomous in decision making. Many a time the lower level jurisdiction is referred to as subordinate or substitute, which may not always be true. For example, in India, much of transfer of funds takes place from the union to the states under the direction of the Constitution and yet the states are not necessarily subordinate to the union. This phenomenon is termed as down scaling government to bring government closer to the people or elected to the electorate (Chaudhri,2007). It may be noted that the discussion revolves around a situation of extant centralized polity.
The Commission on Scottish Devolution (2008) defines devolution as a process of decentralization in which power and responsibility is moved outwards and downwards and hence closer to the people. This definition comes closet the purpose of constructing a devolution index in India, where the state, comprising the union and the states, have tried to move the government closer to the people by recognizing the third tier of government both panchayats and municipalities in the constitution of India through its amendment. Part IX was inserted by the constitution (73rd amendment) Act, 1991 with effect from 24 April 1993 for panchayats in rural areas and part IXA was inserted by the constitution (74th amendment) Act, 1992 with effect from 1 June 1993 for municipalities in urban areas. The amendments made state legislatures responsible for devolving powers to both panchayats and municipalities in order to enable them to carry out devolved responsibilities.
The devolution index, constructed in India, compares sub national governments by assessing the enabling environments created by them for the panchayats to function under. These assessments are made on six dimensions i.e. framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building and accountability. Each state in India submits proposal annually in a prescribed format on the above six dimensions. The data obtained from state are validated through field visit in select panchayats of all states. The devolution index is constructed by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) annually at the instance of the government of India.

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