Decentralized Governance Versus State Dependence: Financial Challenges and Participatory Development in Small Cities of West Bengal

Abstract

The urban planning regime in Independent India started with the Master plan and the Town and Country Planning Act (1947), and continued for decades with an overwhelming importance on large and metropolitan cities. In the 1980s, the emphasis on urban planning and development experienced a shift from large cities to small and medium cities following the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) Program launched in 1979. In 1990s, the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) was passed to ensure decentralized planning and participatory development of cities in India under independent local governments. The present chapter, based on both secondary sources and empirical findings in the context of smaller cities, tries to explore the trajectories of changes in governing cities over the last three decades, especially after the 74th CAA and the impact of such changes. The models of urban governance differ from state to state followed by the State Municipal Acts. This chapter looks into the changes in the urban governance structure and in the pattern of municipal financing in West Bengal, and their impact on the efficiency of the provision of basic service in smaller cities. The paper critically analyses the nature of changes at the city level and shows how decentralization and people’s participation are undermined by the omnipresence of the party and the State in controlling the local governments of financially dependent smaller cities in West Bengal. For in-depth understanding of the ground level situation, the chapter focuses on four cities of West Bengal-Burdwan, Durgapur, Balurghat and Kalimpong.