The Panchayati Raj Phenomenon

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The phenomenon called Panchayati Raj

What role does Panchayati Raj play in establishing a democratic set up, comments

DR. M P GUPTA

 

After a long wait, the enactment of 1997th Constitutional Amendment Act has paved the way for the creation of statutory Institutional structures for realizing the goal of self-governance under the Panchati Raj System in Jammu and Kashmir State. The rural masses have great hopes from the Panchayti Raj to cause alleviation of poverty and socio-economic transformation through increased production in agriculture, development of rural industries, promotion of co-operatives institutions, development of local resources and their optimum utilization, etc. but it is to be seen how far Panchayats are helpful in alleviating poverty and how far peoples’ aspirations and expectations are being fulfilled and what are the bottlenecks in the effective functioning of these decentralized rural institutions. If possible, concrete suggestions will be made for effective and efficient functioning of democratic local institutions.

 

Genesis of Panchayti Raj

Village Panchayats in India dates back to “Vedic Era”. In ancient time, Panchayats worked as primary institution of economic, social, political development in rural society. But during British rule, a great set back was caused to Panchayats by foreign rulers. Since independence, Mahatma Gandhi was of firm belief that India could attain “Ram Rajya” by reviving Village Panchayats. He was convinced “greater the power of Panchayats, the better for the people”. In January 1957, a study Team under the Chairmanship of Sri Balwant Rai Mehta was appointed to review the working of Community Development Program and also examine the re-organization of agricultural administration in the country. The committee made sound recommendations which includes: Panchayati Raj should be based on three- tier system of local governance i.e. Gram Panchayat at Village level, Panchayat Samiti at Block level and Zila Parishad at District level; Genuine transfer of power and responsibilities at different

levels; Adequate allocation of resources to them; Development Programs channeled through these bodies.

As a matter of fact, in ancient India, Panchayats worked very well for Community Development but over a period of time after post independence, it lost its vitality in functioning due to apathy at the administrative and political levels.

 

Appraisal of Panchayats

As against 2700 Delimited Panchayats in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, District Udhampur owes 217 such Panchayats in its networking of 12 blocks (Source: Rural Development Department Kashmir/Jammu). An assessment of the working of village Panchayats was made through “Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)” technique in District Udhampur (JandK). Some of the significant activities undertaken by Panchayats in the District are highlighted as: Water supply for domestic use: Sanitation work; Maintenance of connectivity roads and other works: Renovation of houses, Drains, etc.; Health and education; Land management; Construction of cattle ponds; Supervision of primary schools; Organization of welfare of women, children and backward classes; Collection of statistics and maintenance of records; Panchayati Adalat; Facilitator for executing development schemes; Collection of their own taxes and other duties entrusted to them.

 

Case Study of Panchayat Garnai (Udhampur)

Village Garnai is 13 km away from District Head Quarter Udhampur. Garnai Panchayat encompasses 5 villages under its jurisdiction for development. The sustained efforts of Sarpanch, Panches and support of village voters has improved village situation. The gram panchayat constructed water spring- “bowli”, paths, lanes and drains, school building, latrines besides undertook rural sanitation work by engaging local labour. In order to uplift the social- economic status, villagers were helped to establish production units viz; Dairy, Vegetable growing, etc. In this behalf, self-help groups were also constituted to promote marketing of the produce. For welfare of women and young girls, Tailoring Training Centre was established. Besides, loan was arranged for the unemployed youth to open Retail shops under rural development schemes. Squarely speaking, some good work has been done by the Panchayat despite facing all kinds of odd situations. Efforts are afoot to develop it into a

model village.

 

Bottlenecks in Functioning of Panchayats

The impediments as reported by the respondents in the functioning of Panchayats are revealed which may include: (i) A large number of villages ranging 8-10 under the jurisdiction of majority of Panchayats - is unmanageable and calls for reduction; (ii) Insufficient funds for all round development of target villages; (iii) Lack in spirit of leadership; (iv) Restricted power and authority to Gram Panchayat; (v) Dominance of big farmers and non- involvement of villagers in decision making and planning; vi. Failed to evoke popular support and initiative; vii. Local governance in true spirit is much lacking; viii. Not full implementation of Panchayat structure in the State.

 

Guidelines for Effective Functioning of Panchayati Raj

For effective functioning of Gram Panchayats, Panchayat structure should be fully implemented at its three levels i.e. Gram Panchayat at Village, Panchayat Samiti at Block and Zila Parishad at District level.

* Participation of women in Panchayats may be ensured through reservation of seats, nomination, election, etc.

* Capacity building of Panchayati Raj institutions at different levels to plan, implement and monitor local development initiative may be done.

* Greater transparency and accountability may be achieved in functioning of Panchayats.

* Fiscal position of Panchayats should be strengthened through convergent resource use and local resource mobilization.

* Central and State development programs should be implemented through Gram Panchayats.

* Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has been recently introduced in the State of Jammu and Kashmir carries basket of cafeterias activities in providing option to farmers in increasing income by adopting different alternatives. As such, Panchayati Raj institutions at all levels should be involved in ATMA scheme for welfare of farming community.

* A strong system of monitoring and evaluation should be built- in to check meaningful, proper utilization of allocated funds.

* Panchayats should establish public and private (NGOs) partnership to promote livelihood.

* Sarpanch and Panches should be given suitable honorarium for doing work for village(s) development.

* Training to equip the functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions may be arranged on regular basis for proper implementation of development programs.

 

Conclusion

Jammu and Kashmir State is beset with complex problem of poverty which is becoming grave day-by-day due to scarred resources and increasing cost of living. A number of poverty alleviation programs have been launched by the Centre and State Governments which should be carried through Gram Panchayats to yield impact. Since ATMA and Panchayti Raj are complimentary and supplementary to each other, as such Panchayti Raj institutions should be associated in its activities under extension reforms scheme. It is worth mentioning that participatory planning and execution for poverty reduction must be ensured to realize dream of welfare (Khushhal) State. Instead of halfhearted approach in establishing Gram Panchayats, ‘holistic approach’ should have been followed to implement all the three tires of Panchayti Raj Institutions to obtain tangible overall hierarchical development. The adequate funds should be provided to Gram Panchayats for development activities besides, “Monitoring and

Evaluation Cell” may be created to check proper and transparent disposal of allocated funds on regular basis for definite success of Panchayati Raj Institutions which in turn will usher prosperity in the whole State.

 

(The author is Former Director Extension Education, SKUAST-Jammu and at present working as National Resource Person, ATMA in JandK)

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