A New Statistical Domain in India: An Enquiry into Gram Panchayat-Level Databases (original) (raw)
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2013
This article attempts to provide an empirical assessment of the enabling environment created by sub-national governments in India, of the last two decades, for rural local governments (panchayats) inducing the latter to function as institutions of self-governments. The article constructs a panchayat devolution index incorporating pillars of devolution, i.e. functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building of panchayats and accountability of panchayats, besides observing the setting up of constitutionally provided institutions and their functioning. The article also presents six sub-indices of these pillars. To accomplish this a unique data set is constructed for all states and Union Territories by obtaining data from state governments through a wellstructured questionnaire devised for the purpose. Surveys are also conducted in each state and Union Territory to obtain additional data and validate the data received from the respective state government. These data are then used to rank states and Union Territories on various dimensions, devolution and strengthening of panchayats through state.
On Panchayat: A Study of Decentralization in India and Policy Recommendation
Asia Social Issues, 2021
This paper aims to study India’s decentralization process, which focuses on the Panchayat or the village government as a demonstration of success in India’s decentralization. This paper employs documentary research with a systemic review of relevant literature, articles, and documents on India's decentralization policy after independence up to the present (during 1947-2020). This paper found that India emphasizes people participation and decentralization, primarily through the Panchayat, which the constitution has authorized. The Indian government also established the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to facilitate the process of decentralization. The key success of India’s decentralization is related to its financial decentralization that allows the local government to collect tax and financial supports. This research also suggests five recommendations to increase the level of decentralization. First, decentralization must be written in a country’s constitution. Second, decentralizat...
This article attempts to provide an empirical assessment of the enabling environment created by sub-national governments in India, of the last two decades, for rural local governments (panchayats) inducing the latter to function as institutions of self-governments. The article constructs a panchayat devolution index incorporating pillars of devolution, i.e. functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building of panchayats and accountability of panchayats, besides observing the setting up of constitutionally provided institutions and their functioning. The article also presents six sub-indices of these pillars. To accomplish this a unique data set is constructed for all states and Union Territories by obtaining data from state governments through a well-structured questionnaire devised for the purpose. Surveys are also conducted in each state and Union Territory to obtain additional data and validate the data received from the respective state government. These data are then used to rank states and Union Territories on various dimensions, devolution and strengthening of panchayats through state.
Report on Panchayat Strengthening Index Survey: West Bengal
Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), 2014
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act made way for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as local self-governance mechanism through which the decentralization of political power would take place. These Institutions were envisioned to make the people a part of the planning process below the state-level. The states had to adapt and make such institutions an integral part of their governance systems by enacting their own laws in this regard. A considerable devolution of power had to take effect from the state-level to such institutions leading to an increase in the contribution of the voices at the grass-root level in the decision-making process of the country. This structure was modelled on the vision of Mahatma Gandhi about the self-sustaining village model. The PRIs are normally evaluated on the basis of their performance on various aspects of self-governance. Primary among them is the conduct of PRI elections. The states even today have different laws regarding the conduct of elections and the concerned Ministry is trying to thrash out the differences in this regard. Devolution of financial powers comes next. In this regard even today the PRIs are dependent on Central and state funds with very little own sources of fundraising. Devolution of power is the other aspect on which progress of PRIs should be evaluated. Ministry of Panchayati Raj is continuing consultation with the states to deepen the process of decentralization of power. Constitution of District Planning Committees (DPCs) had been instituted to facilitate the process of decentralization. Twenty-four states have till date formed DPCs. Considerable progress has been made regarding extension of the PRI system to tribal areas of nine identified states. On certain aspects like compliance of important subject laws like land acquisition, excise, forest produce etc. though not much progress has taken place. Gram Sabha has been made the centrepiece of this initiative where each citizen gets an equal opportunity to participate in the process. All the elected representatives have been made answerable to the Gram Sabha. Given the state of devolution of the power to make the states more compliant with the provisions of this Act the Panchayati Raj Devolution Index was instituted to look at Constitutional and Political Devolution (PD), Administrative Devolution (AD), Financial Devolution (FID), Functional Devolution (FUD) and Devolution to Gram Sabhas (EGS). The current index takes care of these aspects through the judgment regarding framework, functions, finance and functionaries. With this backdrop, the study team undertook a survey to validate the data provided by the states through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed separately for the Nodal officer at the state-level, Panchayat Pradhan, and Panchayat person/secretary. The study team was mandated to look at the various aspects of devolution of power along with capacity building and accountability of PRIs. The nodal officer was asked about the 10-20 panchayats according to him/her among whom the best panchayats in the state may be located depending on his experience. The study team then randomly picked up the panchayats to be covered in the survey keeping in mind the overall sample frame.
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2014
Overall development of country is the main objective of Indian government since its independence. In the earlier Plans the main thrust for development was laid on Agriculture, Industry, Communication, Education, Health and Allied sectors but soon it was realized that the all-round development of the country is possible only through the development of rural India. Keeping this in view, Panchayati Raj Institutions have been introduced under the 73 rd Amendment Act of the Constitution of India in 1992. Rural Development includes measures to strengthen the democratic structure of society through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It also includes measures to improve the rural infrastructure, improve income of rural households and delivery systems pertaining to education, health & safety mechanisms. Government of India has taken many steps to develop rural India and for this, Department of Rural Development has been setup under the control of Ministry of Rural Development. The Panchayats are expected to play an important role in rural development in India, particularly after independence. Plan documents of both the central and state governments and various committees have emphasized the importance of these bodies in the polity. Five-year plans, specially the second five-year plan, laid special emphasis on the role of Panchayats in rural developments. An attempt is made in this paper to study the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in rural development in general and a tribal village of a backward district in Arunachal Pradesh in particular.
The State of Development in Villages of India: An Analysis of the 2011 Census Data
Indian Journal of Human Development, 2018
The present article uses data available through the 2011 population census to analyze the state of development in the villages of India on the basis of a village development index that has been constructed for the purpose following the capabilities expansion as development approach. The analysis reveals that the state of development in the villages of the country varies widely and there is only a small proportion of the villages where the state of development can be termed as satisfactory. The analysis also reveals that the state of development in the village is influenced by its selected defining characteristics. The article calls for a village-based planning and programming approach for meeting the development and welfare needs of the village people.
Decentralisation at the Grassroots: Status of Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas of Jharkhand
Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
The term decentralisation is now universally accepted. The quality of governance enhances through decentralisation. In the time of post-globalisation, it allows citizens to express their views regarding the process of developmental work in their area. This paper examines the status of grassroots-level implementation of Panchayats Extension (PESA) to Fifth Scheduled Areas of Jharkhand. The empirical study conducted shows that Jharkhand still requires to strengthen and promote the practice of decentralization, so that gram sabha enjoys the power envisaged under PESA Act, 1996. The historical deprivation of Jharkhand during the period when it was a part of United Bihar, is also responsible for the present state of development at the local level. After the inception of Jharkhand as a new state, it initially suffered from unstable governments and delays in the election process at the panchayats level. This did not allow tribal peoples to participate in decentralized governance. This pape...