Decentralised Governance and Citizen-Centric Administration: A Study of Duare Sarkar Prokolpo in Murshidabad District of West Bengal

This paper examines the concept of decentralised governance and citizen-centric administration in the context of West Bengal, focusing on the Duare Sarkar Prokolpo. Decentralized governance refers to the transfer of administrative power and decision-making authority, from the central authority to local levels of government. It aims to make governance more participatory, transparent, and accountable. On the other hand, Citizen-centric administration highlights delivering public services according to the needs of the people, ensuring availability, efficiency, and inclusiveness. Together, these concepts promote good governance at the grassroots level.

The study analyses the Duare Sarkar initiative launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide government services at the doorstep to the citizens. The basic objective of the prokolpo is to reduce administrative barriers and make welfare schemes easily accessible. Key services include assistance related to social security schemes, health schemes, caste certificates, land records, and financial inclusion programs. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between the administration and the common people, especially in rural areas.

The research adopts a qualitative methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire interviews with 150 respondents from Raninagar I Block of Murshidabad district. The respondents included beneficiaries and residents who participated in Duare Sarkar camps. The study focuses on their experiences, satisfaction levels, and challenges faced during their visit to the camp. The findings indicate that Duare Sarkar has significantly improved access to welfare schemes and reduced delays in service delivery.