Introduction:
Enacted through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) embodies the principles of rural self-governance in India. However, after three decades, the imperative for further decentralization and bolstering grassroots democracy is evident.
Body:
Challenges faced by the Panchayat Raj Institution:
- Insufficient Funds: Inadequate funding hampers the effective functioning of panchayats, necessitating an augmentation of their revenue generation capacities.
- Delegated Powers: The 73rd Amendment delegated the decision to confer powers, functions, and finances to state legislatures, resulting in the inadequacies of PRIs.
- Non-devolution of Functions: The non-mandatory nature of transferring various governance functions has led to an expansion of state executive authorities.
- Financial Shortage: PRIs face a severe financial crunch due to limited revenue-raising abilities and non-binding intergovernmental transfers.
- Structural Deficiencies: PRIs grapple with structural deficiencies, including a lack of secretarial support and technical knowledge, hindering effective bottom-up planning.
- Representation Issues: Despite reservations, instances of Panch-Pati and Proxy representation persist, limiting genuine grassroots representation.
- Power Concentration: Ambiguity in the division of functions and funds concentrates power with states, limiting the autonomy of elected representatives.
Second Generation Reforms:
- Effective Devolution: The concept of “activity mapping” from the 2013 expert committee emphasizes clear delineation of competence, authority, and accountability for effective devolution.
- Incorporation into Schemes: Activity maps should be integrated into the guidelines of centrally sponsored schemes to ensure alignment with grassroots needs.
- Direct Fund Allocation: Direct allocation of substantial poverty alleviation funds to gram panchayat accounts enhances citizen participation in decision-making.
- Financial Incentives: States should be financially incentivized to encourage the devolution of functions, finances, and functionaries (the “three Fs”) to panchayats.
- Participatory Planning: District planning should incorporate grassroots input received through people’s participation in gram and ward sabhas.
- Social Audits: Mandatory social audits ensure transparency and greater public participation in the decision-making process.
- Empowerment through Training: Comprehensive training programs, especially for women representatives, are essential to eliminate proxy representation.
Conclusion:
Initiating second-generation reforms is imperative for the Panchayati Raj system to evolve into an effective instrument of direct democracy, fostering genuine grassroots development. While progress has been made over one generation, sustained efforts and comprehensive reforms are crucial to realizing the vision of democratic governance and empowerment at the grassroots level.
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