Through UNDP’s involvement with this Community we strive to strengthen the institutions of local self-government - Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Municipal Bodies- in the light of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution, to help bring about more transparent and participatory governance, effective local development and better delivery of services.

UNDP’s Governance Programme share the concerns that are also of interest to the members of Decentralization Community.   Some of these issues are:   renewing public interest and political buy-in for empowered local bodies; effective devolution for administrative and fiscal decentralization and resource mobilization, ensuring clarity of accountability relationships-defining functional boundaries of line agencies vis-à-vis local authorities, building capacity for decentralized planning, data collection and providing information for effective devolution, and sharing information and experiences regarding local body elections and jurisprudence.

We hope to promote the movement towards effective democratic decentralization and good governance in India through our engagement with the Decentralization Community.  We also express our commitment to strengthen this initiative and make it broad-based and encompassing diverse view points, so important in the democratic milieu of India.

I wish you all a favorable experience participating, along with me, in Community discussions and activities.