Two Decades of Panchayat Raj in India: Experiences, Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

Book Details

• Author: Yatindra Singh Sisodia

• Binding: Hardcover

• Pages: 303

• ISBN: 9788131609279

• Language: English

• Publication Year: 2018

• Sale Territory: India

About the Book

Decentralisation and Panchayati Raj in India is a critical examination of grassroots democratic processes in India, especially after the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1993. This book explores the performance, challenges, and impact of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) over two decades. It looks into how decentralisation has shaped local governance and the empowerment of marginalized groups, particularly in rural India.

Through comprehensive analysis, the book covers several vital aspects of Panchayat Raj in India, including the devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries, as well as gender issues, tribal development, and the role of women in governance. With state-specific case studies and contributions from various scholars, the volume offers crucial insights into the structure and functions of PRIs, and their broader implications on democratic decentralisation.

The book is divided into five thematic sections:

1. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment and Status of PRIs

2. Devolution of Funds, Functions, and Functionaries in PRIs

3. Changing Power Structures and Empowerment of Marginalised Groups

4. Gender Issues and Empowerment of Women through PRIs

5. State-Specific Experiences in Structure and Functions in PRIs

This volume is a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, planners, and practitioners concerned with decentralised governance and the impact of Panchayati Raj on rural development.

Contents

1. Introduction / Yatindra Singh Sisodia, Ashish Bhatt, Tapas Kumar Dalapati

Part I: 73rd Constitutional Amendment and Status of PRIs
2. Theoretical Nuances of Democratic Decentralisation in India – G. Palanithurai
3. Two Decades of Democratic Decentralisation in India – S.K. Singh
4. Two Decades of Democratic Governance at Local Level – Yatindra Singh Sisodia
5. Decentralisation and the Empowerment of Women and Other Marginalised Groups – Nayanatara S. Nayak, Narayan Billava

Part II: Devolution of Funds, Functions and Functionaries in PRIs
6. Fiscal Decentralisation and Panchayati Raj Institutions – Neeta Tapan
7. How Inclusive are the Panchayats? – Nupur Tiwari
8. Mainstreaming Youth in Local Governance – K. Gireesan

Part III: Changing Power Structure and Empowerment of Marginalised Groups
9. Governance and Multidimensional Poverty – D.C. Sah, Ashish Bhatt
10. Decentralised Governance through PESA Act and Tribal Development – S.N. Tripathy
11. Impact of Decentralised Governance on the Implementation of MGNREGS in Scheduled Areas of Odisha – Nilakantha Panigrahi
12. Pattern of Local Governance for Tribes in Maharashtra – S.T. Shirsath
13. A Decade of Change through Dalit Leadership – Ramkumar G.

Part IV: Gender Issues and Empowerment of Women through PRIs
14. Decentralisation and Women’s Development in India – V. Rama Krishna
15. Empowerment of Women through Participation in Local Government in Maharashtra – Ruby Ojha
16. Dalit Women in Power Politics – S. Satyam
17. Women’s Empowerment through Panchayati Raj Institutions – Gadadhara Mohapatra
18. Representation, Inclusion, and Empowerment of Women through Panchayati Raj Institutions – Anuja

Part V: State-Specific Experiences in Structure and Functions in PRIs
19. Status of Devolution of the Funds, Functions, and Functionaries in United Andhra Pradesh – M. Gopinath Reddy
20. Accountability of Mukhiyas – Smita Agarwal
21. Rhetoric of Participatory Development – Alaknanda Shringare
22. Maharashtra Model of Panchayati Raj – Jitendra Wasnik

About the Author

Yatindra Singh Sisodia is a Professor and Director at the M.P. Institute of Social Science Research (MPISSR) in Ujjain. His research interests include democracy, decentralised governance, electoral politics, tribal issues, and developmental issues. He has authored or edited more than a dozen books and published over 60 research papers. He is the editor of the Madhya Pradesh Journal of Social Sciences and has undertaken research for various central ministries and organizations like ISRO and ICSSR.

Ashish Bhatt is an Associate Professor at MPISSR, Ujjain. His research focuses on decentralised governance, tribal development, and rural development. He has several publications to his credit.

Tapas Kumar Dalapati is an Assistant Professor at MPISSR, Ujjain. His research areas include tribal land alienation, tribal movements, agrarian labor relations, and the changing facets of Hindu marriages.