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Strong and Autonomous Local Government for Democracy



Strong and autonomous local government is one of the most vital prerequisites of democratic governance. ‘‘Local government is one of the keys to sound administration’.[1] Modern democracies’ administration is almost unthinkable without devolution of power to the local governments. Due to increase of population as well as to huge expansion of governmental activities certain matter of policy and administration concerning national and international interests as are reserved for central administration and the rest wide range of governmental functions are vested in local authorities.
Local government facilitates the mass people at the grass-root level to participate in national planning, program and administration. Through the local government system, they can share their opinion and views on national affairs. ‘Local authorities exist to provide public services. They don’t operate to make profit.’[2]The system of local government helps in different ways to bring transparency and efficiency within the state administration. First, it helps to solve local problems locally and relieves the central government much of its responsibility to deal with trifle and local matters. Second, it relieves MPs much of their burden of local responsibilities, which people usually expects from MPs. If local government is institutionalized, they will help develop leadership from the grassroots level giving gradually a strong base in democracy.  


[1] Harold, Aldefer, Local Government in Developing Countries, London, 1993, p. 175.
[2] Giffiths, Alan, Local Government Administration, London, 1961, p. 14.