DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA: A STUDY BASED ON CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

Decentralized governance means the transfer of power from central government or state government to the local government or local autonomous authorities. Decentralized governance has been increasingly seen as an instrument to develop democratic participation and get better the service delivery of the system of governance. In India, decentralized governance has been familiar with the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment act 1992. The 73rd constitutional amendment act 1992 deal with rural decentralized governance which is popularly known as Panchayati raj institutions and 74th constitutional amendment act 1992 is also known Municipalities or urban decentralized governance. Throughout the process of decentralized governance in India, the grassroots level people has got opportunity to involved in decision making process and raise their issues and demand to the grassroots level authorities. Majority of the people living in rural areas of India and the women are also victim of carelessness mostly in rural areas. Decentralized governance gives women an opportunity to involve in politics, participate in the decision making process, present their views to the society, enhanced their socio-economic and political status. The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment act 1992 has mandate 33 percent seats reservation for women in India, which is marked a new chapter in the conception of women empowerment in India. Therefore decentralized governance has playing a key role to making women empowerment in India. However, the main objectives of this paper are to study about the decentralized governance and women empowerment through the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment act 1992 in contemporary India.