The Concept of Local Self-Government

The concept of local self-government is not new. It has existed in history in different forms as part of different political systems. As always, the notion of local self-government is considered central to the implementation of good governance.

This entry is about the concept of local self-government and its functions. Moreover, it contains a link at the end related to the topic under discussion.

What is local self-government?

The concept of local self-government refers to:

• a government formed at the local level by the local people themselves.
• management of the local affairs by the people of a locality.
• local administration by local people without any outside influence.
• the government of a specific locality made and run by the local people themselves.

What is the importance of local government? 

The needs of the people of a locality cannot be better noticed and addressed by the central government.  On the contrary, a government made of locals can better understand and address local issues. Because, the elected public representatives from among the local population can have a better idea about local resources, issues, and their solutions.

Similarly,  a local government consisting of local people provides the opportunity for communities to participate in the conduct of public affairs. The locals will also have the access to the authorities thus making it easy to communicate their complaints and grievances to their representatives directly.  

A local government is all the more important as in its absences, the local issues would remain unattended. Being preoccupied with more important and higher-level responsibilities, the provincial government cannot have the time to pay attention to local issues.

Though the local bodies are supposed to enjoy the powers to administer the localities, the government at the center can also set limits for the local government as specified in the constitution of a state. 

What are the roles and functions of a local government?

The following are the responsibilities and functions of the local government:

• Dealing with issues related to cleanliness, epidemics, and garbage disposal.
• Planning, development, and maintenance of rainwater drain.
• Regulation of hospitals, dispensaries, and other basic health care units.
• Registration, record keeping, and certificate issuing of births, deaths, marriages.
• Supply of clean drinking water and maintenance of the drainage system.
• Development and maintenance of public parks and other recreational facilities.
• Maintenance and provision of fire fighting services.
• Taxation at the local level to generate revenue for local administration.
• Regulation of matters related to slaughterhouses and to facilitate them.
• Maintenance of street lighting, local roads including traffic planning and regulation.
• Responsibility of Social welfare i.e.:
  • Maintainance and regulation of welfare institutions e.g. shelter houses, etc.
  • Prevention of consumption of alcohol and the use of drugs, gambling, etc.

• Local-level Economic Planning and community development.
• To promote culture by undertaking events, i.e. cultural fairs and shows, sports and entertainment activities, etc.
• Undertake arrangements for exhibitions, to maintain museums, art galleries, public libraries, museums, etc.

View the PowerPoint Presentation related to the concept of local self-government, its importance, and functions in the link given below:

View the PPt here Concept of self-government Noor Akbar