Local self-government symbol of democracy, development: Om Birla ANI | Updated: Feb 26, 2021 14:19 IST Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], February 26 (ANI): Local self-government is a symbol of both democracy and development Lok Sabha SpeakerOm Birla on Friday stated that it provides a framework for decentralisation of democracy. The Lok Sabha Speaker's comments came at the inauguration of outreach and familiarisation programme for local bodies of North-Eastern States in Shillong. "Local Self Government is a symbol of both democracy and development. It provides a framework for the decentralisation of democracy. It strengthens the democracy at the grass-root level through which citizens get an opportunity to become a stakeholder in the local self-government of their area," the speaker said.