From Subjects to Citizens? Examining Governance Trajectories in Postcolonial India with MPLADS

Abstract

The paper examines how the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in India demonstrates the incomplete transformation from subjects to citizens in postcolonial India. It argues that while democratic structures were adopted after independence, feudal social relations persisted, creating a distinctive state-citizen relationship where citizens are treated more as subjects. The paper traces the historical roots of this "subject-citizen" dynamic to colonial administration practices and their interaction with pre-colonial institutions. It then analyzes MPLADS implementation, focusing on changing guidelines, spending patterns, and evaluations over the years. Key issues highlighted include unspent funds, misalignment with local needs, and reinforcement of patron-client relationships. The analysis reveals that MPLADS, while intended for local development, often reinforces existing power structures rather than empowering citizens or strengthening local self-governance. Spending patterns, particularly the focus on visible infrastructure like roads, reflect a top-down approach to development that treats people as passive recipients rather than active participants. The paper concludes that MPLADS serves as a microcosm of larger challenges in India's journey from a colonial subject-based system to participatory democracy. It calls for fundamental reforms in how development schemes are conceived, implemented and evaluated to achieve meaningful citizen empowerment and democratic governance.