Context
The functioning of District Development Councils (DDCs) in Jammu & Kashmir has come under debate after completing five years since their establishment in 2021. The discussion focuses on whether DDCs have strengthened grassroots democracy or weakened the constitutional framework of democratic decentralisation.
Explanation:
- District Development Councils (DDCs) were established in Jammu & Kashmir in 2020 under the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, with the first elections held in 2020.
- The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) institutionalised Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as constitutionally mandated local self-governments.
- Under Article 243ZD, every State should constitute a District Planning Committee (DPC) to consolidate plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities into a district development plan.
- Unlike the constitutional DPC, DDCs are statutory bodies with elected representatives and developmental functions at the district level.
- The debate concerns democratic decentralisation, subsidiarity, district planning, grassroots governance, fiscal devolution, and the balance between executive control and elected local institutions.
- DDCs are significant for strengthening participatory governance, but concerns remain regarding their overlap with constitutionally envisaged institutions and planning mechanisms.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040