Based On Field Studies Conducted In The States Of Maharashtra, Orissa And Rajasthan, This Book Examines The Nature, Functions And The Role Of The Gram Sabha.

Rural Transformation undergoes a metamorphosis after the introduction of new governance at grassroots through the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India. Newly created institutions for governance have teething problems and yet they picked up momentum in their dynamics. New concientization takes place in the minds of the people about their role and responsibility and feverish socio-economic activities have been initiated by the institutions and a new kind of relationship has been established between the State Government and the grassroots institutions as established between the Central Government and State Government. Problems which had not been so far noticed have come to the surface while deepening democracy in the society. A new participatory culture comes to governance at the grassroots and thereby it indicates that it would move towards the other realm of governance. Variety of institutions both evolved and imposed over a period of time have come to synergise their activities for effective delivery of services. Thus it seems the concept ‘governance’ provides a new meaning and explanation as activities are centering around people by relegating the concept government to the background. It does not mean that the process is smooth and positive. Decentralization process has its own obstacles as it breaks many hurdles. Strategies have been evolved then and there to overcome such obstacles and barriers and it moves towards the people to empower them. The whole process of the transformation has been captured in this work from the experience of the provinces. Key issues have been highlighted for further understanding of the dynamics of village voice. This volume provides statewise outlook of the devolution of powers. It aims at providing analysis of the performance of the institutions interms of the powers assigned to them.

Papers In The Volume Address Issues Like-Assessment Of Current Situation In Panchayats Participation Of Women In Local Governance, Implementation And Deviations Of Seventy Third Amendment. Self-Help Groups In Rural Development, Appropriation Of Power By Legislations, Officials Etc. Has Seven Papers By Senior Officers And Well-Known Persons.

This volume explores the complexities of governance, law, and politics in India’s Scheduled Areas. The Scheduled Areas (SAs) are those parts of the country which have been identified by the Fifth and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and are inhabited predominantly by tribal communities or Scheduled Tribes. SAs are often identified by their geographical isolation, primitive economies, and relatively egalitarian and closely knit society. Irrespective of the constitutional provision for governance and a mandate of devolution of power in terms of funds, functions and functionaries, the backwardness of these areas have remained a challenge. This volume attempts to explore the reasons behind the disregard for legal and institutional mechanism designed for the SAs. It examines the role of the state in the neoliberal era on fund allocation and utilisation, the governance of land and forest resources, and the ineffectiveness of the existing administrative structures and processes. It also looks into the interpretations of law by the judiciary while dealing with community rights vis-à-vis the state’s prerogative of bringing development to the regions, and how development concerns are addressed in the name of ‘good governance’ by various stakeholders. Comprehensive and topical, this volume will be useful for scholars and researchers of political studies, development studies, developmental economics, sociology and social anthropology, and for policy makers.

This book establishes a link between the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. Panchayati Raj being people-centric institutions promotes quality of life of the people living in the rural areas. India is a home of villages where a large chunk of population lives whereas Panchayati Raj is a hearth of governance and development in rural areas. Government has assigned developmental tasks to Panchayati Raj bodies by involving people and their representatives. The goal of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Development Schemes are interlined which focus on resolving issues of the people and take care of development. Government of India, through its legislations, empowers elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to share their responsibilities in developmental process and promotes services to the local people. This book covers strategy and evolution of Panchayati Raj system and effectiveness of centrally sponsored schemes. This book is useful for the functionaries of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, students of Political Science, Rural Development Management, Scholars of M.Phil., & Ph.D., Development Agents, Social Activists, Students of different competitive examinations, etc. This book comprises important themes of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development which fulfills expectation of the readers.

Emerging Trends In Tribal Politics In District of Kinnaur: A Study of Elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions (Pre-Amendment Era and Post- Amendment Era)

The potential of civil society in interfacing with the government for ensuring good governance has gained currency in academic and policy debates in the recent times. This becomes particularly relevant in an old democracy like India where the State has not been able to meet the need for basic things. However, the State provides space and freedom for people to engage in collective action, to critically evaluate the State’s policies and demand a revision in policy for effective implementation of the laws that are elaborately codified in the Constitution and also to improve the functioning of its institutions. This book studies the level of participation of tribal communities in the new Panchayat Raj dispensation introduced in Andhra Pradesh since the PESA Act. It specifically analyses how much the community has achieved or benefited after the introduction of Panchayat Raj. The objective is to determine how the power structures of tribal communities have been influenced by the socio-political changes and institutional innovations, like the extension of representative democracy at the grassroots level; what kind of changes have taken place in the study area with the institutionalization of Panchayats; and the politicization of the tribal people by the different parties. This book also throws light on the role of civil society actors in influencing governance positively as well as the limitations that have inhibited the impact of their influence. The empirical research highlights that the institution of Gram Sabha has been instrumental in bringing transparency and accountability in the working of local bodies. The author has rightly emphasized the need for an attitudinal change both in the political and administrative machinery at State, district and village level. The inter-relationship of the three Ds, i.e. Democracy, Decentralisation and Development, has been brought out beautifully with the support of field study. While the 73rd amendment and PESA Act of the Constitution has mandated the democratization of local self-governments, the process of decentralisation is yet to take concrete shape through real devolution from Lok Sabha to Gram Sabha.

Papers presented at the National Seminar on Tribal Development, held at Bhopal in March 2008.

Study conducted in Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh, India.