About the Awards

The V Ramachandran Awards For Excellence In Urban Decentralisation have been instituted in the memory of Mr V Ramachandran, a doyen of decentralisation, is being instituted in recognition of ground-breaking work in decentralisation in the urban context by State Government, Urban Local Bodies, Civic Agencies, State Election Commission and State Finance Commission. The Awards seek to recognise outstanding work that either enables decentralisation in cities through laws, policies and institutions or operationalizes decentralisation in cities through execution and implementation. Rather than reward past achievements, it seeks to identify and honour present accomplishments that germinate far-reaching impact.

Mission

More than two decades have passed since the enactment of the 74th Constitution Amendment Act. But decentralisation continues to be a crucial governance reform agenda in India. This is more so in the urban context given how Panchayati Raj has marched far ahead of Nagara Raj, and the rapid urbanisation that India is witnessing, with 50% of India's population expected to be in urban areas by 2050. These Awards in the name of Mr V Ramachandran, a doyen of decentralisation, is being instituted in recognition of ground-breaking work in decentralisation in the urban context by State Government, Urban Local Bodies, Civic Agencies, State Election Commission and State Finance Commission. The Awards seek to recognise outstanding work that either enables decentralisation in cities through laws, policies and institutions or operationalizes decentralisation in cities through execution and implementation. Rather than reward past achievements, it seeks to identify and honour present accomplishments that germinate far-reaching impact.

Eligibility Criteria

General

  1. Any State Government, Urban Local Body, Civic Agency that provides services in urban areas, State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions in India are eligible to apply.
  2. The Application should provide evidence of ground breaking work in decentralisation in the urban context. It could cover areas such as decentralized planning, fiscal decentralisation, functional devolution, administrative devolution and practices, community participation or any other initiative that has furthered urban decentralisation
  3. Applications should be made only for initiatives undertaken post December 2010
  4. Applications submitted during V Ramachandran Awards inaugural edition are not eligible to apply for this edition
  5. The decision of the Awards jury shall be binding

Criteria By Award Categories:

Award Category Eligibility Area of Work
Best State Efforts by State Government through departments such as Local Self Government/ Urban Development / Directorate of Municipal Administration/ Finance to further the cause of urban decentralisation
  1. Enactment of laws, drafting of policies, setting up of institutional mechanisms to successfully foster urban decentralisation in the city / state.
  2. Implementation of a policy / programme / scheme to successfully foster urban decentralisation in the city / state.
Best Municipality Initiatives by Urban Local Bodies for initiatives that have helped further decentralisation and citizen participation
  1. Drafting of policies, setting up of institutional mechanisms to successfully foster urban decentralisation in the city.
  2. Directly implemented or facilitated implementation of initiatives (laws, policies, schemes, programmes) that have furthered urban decentralisation in the city
Best Civic Agency Initiatives by Development Authority/ Metro Rail Cooperation/ Water Supply Board /any city civic agency excluding Urban Local Bodies that have demonstrated inter-agency coordination and decentralisation Effective implementation of project / scheme through demonstrable inter-agency/government coordination and decentralization in practice
Best State Election Commission Drafting of policies and setting up of institutional mechanisms and processes and implementing such initiatives to successfully conduct elections to the ULB council such as improving voter participation, accuracy of electoral rolls, promoting candidate disclosures and using technology to improve election process management Drafting of policies and setting up of institutional mechanisms and processes and implementing such initiatives to successfully conduct elections to the Municipal Bodies such as improving voter participation, accuracy of electoral rolls, promoting candidate disclosures and using technology to improve election process management
Best State Finance Commission State Finance Commissions across India. Setting up of institutional mechanisms to successfully foster urban decentralisation in the state. Initiatives could typically include steps that help improve financial management and transparency in ULBs and role in improving decentralised governance in India.