India, Norway to study local governance

NEW DELHI: In a co-operation among unlikely partners, India and Norway are looking at forging ties in the area of local governance. Ties between India and Norway have been expanding, particularly in trade and economy, fisheries and shipping, but this is the first time that the two countries are looking at co-operating on the issue of self governance.

Elaborating on the unusual partnership, panchayati raj minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said India could learn from the local governance system in Norway which is the oldest in Western Europe.

"Local governance in Norway is probably the oldest in Europe. There is a huge devolution of powers which is not the case in India," he said at a joint press conference with Norwegian minister for local government and regional development Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa.

He added that the effort is to learn from Norway in certain areas of local governance, including delivery of municipal services, methods of accountability and forms of transparency. Indicating that such co-operation with other countries could be on the anvil, he said, "We can make a beginning with Norway, and create a model to develop (such linkages) with other democracies in Europe."

The two ministers have decided to continue meetings at the inter-ministerial and official levels, and establish linkages between institutions and individuals specialising in the area of local governance in Norway and panchayati raj in India.

The Norwegian minister also got a flavour of local governance in India by visiting Neemkheda panchayat in Haryana, which is run by an all-women team. She said it is natural for India, the largest democracy, and Norway, the front-runner in gender equity, to collaborate in the area of local governance.

"Norway and India share a common goal of excellence in local self-governance and a common goal of preparing women leaders in a participatory manner," Ms Kleppa added.