Grassroots Governance: Gram Sabha in West Bengal

Book Details:

• Author: Amal Mandal

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2012

• ISBN: 9788131604922

• Pages: 216

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches

About the Book

Grassroots Governance by Amal Mandal is a significant academic contribution to the understanding of participatory democracy and local self-governance in India. Based on intensive field research involving survey data and ground-level insights from ten Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, this book provides a detailed examination of the functioning and effectiveness of the Gram Sabha — often hailed as the bedrock of decentralized governance.

The book critically analyzes the extent to which Gram Sabhas have evolved into effective instruments of participatory, transparent, and accountable local governance. It assesses whether these grassroots institutions truly serve the interests of villagers or are compromised by political manipulation and systemic inefficiencies. Through rich empirical evidence, the author identifies key factors that encourage genuine public participation and highlights the challenges posed by political interference in the decentralization process.

Essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the fields of political science, public administration, rural development, and governance studies, Grassroots Governance offers both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for strengthening rural democratic institutions in India.