Who proposed the 'Chaukhamba Model' of decentralization?

Correct option is A

Ram Manohar Lohia proposed the 'Chaukhamba Model' of decentralization. This model advocated for a four-pillared structure of governance, emphasizing decentralization at multiple levels of administration: village, district, provincial, and central. Lohia believed in empowering local bodies and argued for grassroots-level democracy to ensure that power and decision-making were not concentrated at the top but were instead distributed across different layers of governance.
Information Booster:
1. Ram Manohar Lohia: A socialist thinker and political leader who played a significant role in advocating for decentralized governance and participatory democracy in India.
2. The Chaukhamba Model promoted a four-tier governance structure:
· Village (Gram Panchayat)
· District (Zila Parishad)
· State (Provincial)
· National (Central Government)
3. Lohia was critical of centralization and believed that real democracy could only thrive through decentralized governance.
4. His ideas on decentralization influenced the evolution of India's Panchayati Raj system, where local self-government is encouraged.
5. Lohia's vision was rooted in reducing bureaucratic control and making administration more accessible and accountable to the common people.
6. Decentralization has been a key component of Indian governance, especially after the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which empowered local bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities.