JnNURM expanded the scope of local government participation and decentralization through the establishment of Ward Committees and Area Sabhas. Hyderabad is one of the few cities where Ward Committees and Area Sabhas are established and active.  This case follows local government leaders and community stakeholders in Hyderabad to understand how these local institutions are designed, how they came about, and how they work in practice. This case tells us about the kinds of jurisdiction and decision-making capacity that is transferred to these micro-governance units, and how this form of local governance encourages political participation and community involvement.

About the Case Author
As Municipal Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporartion (GHMC) Dr. Sameer Sharma has focused on adapting municipal public policy to the meet the challenges of a growing city. He is a strong advocate for increasing efficiency through technology – for example, using the camera of the mobile phone to make municipal managers more accountable and bottom-up decentralization through establishment of ward committees. Dr. Sharma received his PhD in urban development at the University of Cincinnati and specializes in globalization, metropolitan development, e-governance, and resource mobilization for cities. In addition, Dr. Sharma is a notable contributor to the Economic Times of India and has published more than 20 articles in the last four years and in September 2011 he addressed the Global Mayors Forum at Columbia University, New York.