Research Article | Open Access
Role of Local Self-Government in Covid-19 Pandemic Management in Rural India
Debalina Chatterjee , Dr. Madhubrata Mohanty
Pages: 3378-3384
Abstract
The local self-governments are in the front-line to handle public health crisis. The role of local
self-government is crucial in strengthening health care system as it provides relevant data relating to the
spread of pandemic in the districts, basingupon which state agencies formulate required policies.Rural
areas of developing countries like India face lots of difficulties in implementing effective responses to
public health crisis due to poverty,underdeveloped health infrastructure and improper infection control
mechanism.In every state in India the Local self Governments have taken initiatives to assist Covid-19
infected patients and to curb the spread of the Covid-19 infection. The Covid-19 pandemic has imposed
many challenges on the Central, State and local Governments. This article will analyse the vital roles
played by local self-governments in pandemic management at rural areas in India. This research paper is
descriptive in nature wherein the measures adopted by local self Government of the various states of
India will be discussed. The panchayati raj system of India is a three-tier system so it is necessary to
ascertain the various constraints faced by the regional governments in different levels.The issues and
challenges faced by local self governments, will be discussed so that suitable suggestions can be made.
As the local governments play a crucial role in handling crisis during the pandemic,at small towns and
villages so analysing their role in mitigating risk of pandemic is significant.
Keywords
Local-self Government, Covid-19 pandemic, Panchayati Raj system, public health, Pandemic management.