Norwegian delegation in India to study functioning of decentralised governance

New Delhi, Jan 11 (ANI): A Norwegian delegation led by Liv Signe Navarsete, Minister for Local Government and Regional Development, Royal Kingdom of Norway, is on a four-day visit to India from 10th to 13th January.

The delegation which is in India to study the functioning of decentralised governance in India, on Tuesday participated in a briefing session on the governance system in India in New Delhi.

On Thursday, the delegation will be visiting the State Institute of Rural Development in Hyderabad. They will also be visiting the State Election Commission of Andhra Pradesh to understand the election process and the role of a constitutional authority in the process.

The visit, which is the outcome of the Joint Working Group on Mutual Cooperation on Local Governance held at Oslo on September 15, 2010 followed by signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the India's Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Royal Kingdom of Norway.

The MOU on Mutual Cooperation on Local Self Governance signed by both countries for a comprehensive dialogue and deliberation in the area of local governance was meant to facilitate transference of competence between the two countries for strengthening local self-governance including capacity building of institutions, focusing areas relating to achievement of Millennium Development goals, e-governance, solution sharing and mobilisation of resources.

Earlier, a delegation from India had visited Norway led by the Additional Secretary Ministry of Panchayati Raj along with senior officials from State Governments, district administration and UN women programme managers. This visit gave the Indian officials an insight into the structure and functioning of local governance - especially the Municipalities and the ombuds and the strategies to improve women's political leadership.

With a view to give shape to the Indo-Norway research agenda on decentralized governance, the Government of India will be signing an MOU with UN Women and bring out a grassroot's orientation to the GOI- UN Women Programme on promoting women's political leadership.

Under this programme a major thrust would be given to use the platform of the gram sabha in the select districts in five States of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka, so that the local governance can focus on issues like livelihood, security and entitlements from schemes which have an enduring impact on women's empowerment and gender equality.

The Norwegian minister is also expected to meet Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs, V. Kishore Chandra Deo on January 13. (ANI)