eprintid: 9978
rev_number: 5
eprint_status: archive
userid: 1
dir: disk0/00/00/99/78
datestamp: 2009-11-10 08:04:27
lastmod: 2015-04-21 15:39:22
status_changed: 2012-08-15 08:50:30
type: workingPaper
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Datta, Prabhat
title: Democratic Decentralization through Panchayati Raj in Contemporary India: The Changes and Challenges
ispublished: pub
subjects: 320
divisions: 702000
keywords: Panchayati Raj , Decentralization , Economic Development
abstract: This paper seeks to make a critical review of the current status of the constitionalised panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) in India as institutions of self government and as instruments of planning for economic development and social justice in the light of empirical evidence collected by the researchers  and critical analysis of the some of the actions of state . The background of the rise of the "new" panchayat system has been narrated in a nut shell to enable the readers to have an idea of the conceptual and institutional framework of the panchayat system Keeping the central objective in mind the article focuses on the challenges faced by the third generation PRIs in India from within and without and attempts to make an assessment about the   future of these institutions.  Reference has been made to the experience of some of the states in order to support the comments and observations. The article argues that despite the constitutional amendment to regenerate the PRIs there is still lack of genuine and strong political interest and bureaucratic support to fuel the institutions. These have been manifested in the actions of the state after the constitution has been amended. The traditional factors   rooted in the socio-economic structure and political dynamics of the rural society continue to plague the working of these democratic institutions. It has been contended that there is need for another round of constitutional amendment coupled with continuous political and administrative support to ensure steady growth of the PRIs. The author finds a ray of hope in the rise of civil society organizations which have started acting as watchdogs in some of the states. They are working not only for generating awareness among the stakeholders but also for organizing the villagers to assert their rights and in this respect, the right to information has come as great boon.
abstract_translated_lang: eng
date: 2009
date_type: published
id_scheme: DOI
id_number: 10.11588/heidok.00009978
portal_cluster_id: p-hdpaper
portal_order: 49
ppn_swb: 1648501141
own_urn: urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-opus-99784
language: eng
bibsort: DATTAPRABHDEMOCRATIC2009
full_text_status: public
series: Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics
volume: 49
isbn: 1617-5069
issn: 1617-5069
citation:   Datta, Prabhat  (2009) Democratic Decentralization through Panchayati Raj in Contemporary India: The Changes and Challenges.  [Working paper]     
document_url: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/9978/1/HPSACP_Datta.pdf