Learning from a federal state
Delegation on Intergovernmental Relations and Practice of Fiscal Federalism in India

Myanmar delegation with the Indian team

HSF

The multi-stakeholder delegation was comprised of Members of Parliament and parliamentary commissions, civil service and members of think-tanks, institute and civil society institutions.

The first part of the 7-days study trip was in New Delhi focusing on the national aspects of federalism in India while the second part focuses on the sub-national level and was in the state of Karnataka.

The Myanmar Ambassador to India opened the first session at the IIPA. The first day included an introduction to the legal framework of intergovernmental fiscal relations in the Indian Federation and the role of the finance commission as well as an overview of the Indian administrative system. This was followed by a visit to the Inter State Council Secretariat and a visit to the Parliament of India. The Delegation also had the opportunity to discuss the role of the Parliament in the management of the intergovernmental relations in India with Rajeev Gowda who is Member of Parliament of the upper house in India.

The delegation in front of a Mahatma Gandhi monument

HSF

The following days remained very varied with visits to NITI Aayog, Delhi University, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Finance. The participants were able to exchange their thoughts with federalism experts, scholar researchers and politicians and discussed topics like gender related issues such as budgeting and inclusion and fiscal decentralization.

After arriving in Bengaluru the delegation changed their perspective to the sub-national level. The sixth day started with a guided tour at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and discussions on local governance and rural development in this state. The group also visited the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Office. The second part of the day was about the fiscal relation between Karnataka and the Union Government. On day 7 the delegation met the Chief Executive Officer, Block Development Officer and local elected representatives of District Panchayat Chikkaballapura and talked about local self-government and representation of women and minorities.

HSF

We want to thank the IIPA and Hanns Seidel Foundation India for this study trip. It increased the political exchange between Myanmar and India, enhanced a knowledge transfer on federal administration and a better understanding of federalism related issues.