Functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India: A Status Paper

Abstract

Good governance is considered as the control idea of Development. A system of structured governance empowers the government to deliver services to the citizen and to mobilize resource and revenue for the societal development. And it can only be achieved by participation of different stakeholders of the development process. Because of its size and its relatively ambitious efforts to decentralize government, India provides an important context for understanding the ways in which decentralization can improve the performance and accountability of local government. Indeed, there is lot to be done towards improving village infrastructure and it should be done in a fairly participatory manner so that people’s aspirations can also get their space.
In this study, different structural and functional aspects related to panchayats at grass root levels have been analyzed. Development of villages depends heavily on Panchayati Raj Institutions and their effective functioning, that is why five states (considered better in terms of PRI functioning) have been selected and a comparative analysis based on different parameters has been done. Findings show that panchayats are running inefficiently and there is lack of people’s participation. There is urgent need of removing the legislative and procedural problems that constrain the Gram Sabha; greater devolution of funds, functions and functionaries; putting in place mechanisms of audit and accountability and strengthening the participation of women for improving governance and functioning of panchayats. Indeed, measures are needed whereby the poor can participate more effectively through PRIs and local informal groups and people’s movements.