On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya and Susheel with yet another episode of their Monthly ones for mango people talking about the tax devolution.

Camera: Rahul Vinay and Arun V.

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Summary

The conversation explores the topic of tax devolution and the North-South divide in India. It delves into the understanding of taxation and devolution, the role of the state finance commission, and the challenges in city governance. The chapters cover the importance of consuming the story as citizens and how the center should devolve funds to the states. The conversation discusses the state government's control over data and grants, Bangalore's GDP and its impact, the importance of state devolution to citizens, the lack of political devolution in Bangalore, the need for an elected city government, challenges with own revenues and budgets, the lack of political power in the state finance commission, the importance of richer parts of Bangalore contributing, the role of ward committees and corporators, the citizen's role in city governance, coordination and project management in BBMP, the lack of taxes going to BBMP, the importance of raising own revenues at the ward level, political self-determination and city government, the focus on city governance for urban prosperity, and the importance of understanding and making sense at a personal level.

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Takeaways

Tax devolution is a complex issue that requires citizens to consume the information rigorously and understand the fundamentals of taxation and devolution.

The North-South divide in India is a topic of national consciousness, with the South feeling shortchanged in terms of devolution of funds.

The state finance commission plays a crucial role in determining the devolution of funds to cities and municipalities, and there is a need for better data and governance in this process.

Challenges in city governance, such as the lack of proper budgets and data, need to be addressed to ensure effective devolution and utilization of funds. The quality of data from the revenue department in the state government is often poor, and citizens have little say in how grants are allocated.

Bangalore has a high GDP compared to other cities in the south, but citizens need to understand how state devolution affects infrastructure and welfare in their city.

The lack of an elected city government in Bangalore hinders political devolution and accountability to citizens.

Citizens should push for the establishment of city councils and the devolution of power to elected representatives.

The city government should have control over its own revenues and budgets, and citizens should be involved in the decision-making process.

Coordination and project management within BBMP need improvement to avoid inefficiencies and ensure proper allocation of resources.

Raising own revenues at the ward level is important to avoid disparities and ensure balanced development.

Citizens should demand political self-determination and an elected city government to have a voice in local governance.

Understanding and engaging with local level issues is crucial for citizens to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

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Chapters

00:00 Tax Devolution and State GST

03:45 The North-South Divide

09:08 Consuming the Story as Citizens

11:06 Understanding Taxation and Devolution

15:26 How Should the Center Devolve?

24:22 Challenges in City Governance

26:19 State Government Data and Grants

27:18 Bangalore's GDP and Its Impact

27:44 Importance of State Devolution to Citizens

28:14 Lack of Political Devolution in Bangalore

29:11 Importance of Elected City Government

30:03 Lacuna in City Council Elections

31:03 Importance of Councillors and Corporators