, Alternative models of Development
Discussed in earlier classes about the following topics:
Development and Underdevelopment
Theories: Dominant paradigm, Dependency, Diffusion of Innovation.
Participatory Communication
Empowerment, Sustainable development, HDI, Civil Societies like
MKSS and NAPM.
Understanding development from the western perspective is completely
different from Indian perspective because the nature, resources, manpower
and culture are completely different in both the cases. Beginning of
development thinking has started from west India modelled its development
plans as a mix of the dominant paradigm of the fifties and its own models of
development like the Panchayati Raj unique to Indian societies. The
Panchayat Raj models were essentially based on participatory models
and basic needs models.
Panchayati Raj Model
The panchayati raj is a South Asian political system mainly in India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It is the oldest system of local
government in the Indian subcontinent. The word "panchayat" literally
means "assembly" (ayat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen
and accepted by the local community.
Panchayat Raj is a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the
basic units of administration. It has 3 levels: Gram (village, though it can
comprise more than one village), Janpad (block) and Zilla (district).
The term "panchayat raj" is relatively new, having originated during the
British administration. Raj literally means "rule". Mahatma Gandhi
advocated Panchayati Raj, a decentralized form of Government where
each village is responsible for its own affairs, as the foundation of India's
political system. The term for such a vision was Gram Swaraj ("village self-
governance").
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee:
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee appointed by the
Government of India in January 1957 to examine the working of the
, Community Development Programme (1952) and the National
Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their better working.
The recommendations of the committee were approved by NDC in January
1958 and this set the stage for the launching of Panchayati Raj Institutions
throughout the country. The committee recommended the establishment of
the scheme of which finally came to be
known as Panchayati Raj.
Establishment of a 3-tier Panchayati Raj system
(i) Gram Panchayat at the village level,
(ii) Panchayat Samiti at the block level(Janpad), and
(iii) Zila Parishad at the district level.
This system was adopted by state governments during the 1950s and 60s,
as laws were passed to establish panchayats in various states. It also found
backing in the Indian Constitution, with the 73rd amendment in 1992 to
accommodate the idea. The Amendment Act of 1992 contains provision for
devolution of powers and responsibilities to the panchayats both for the
preparation of economic development plans and social justice, as well as
for implementation in relation to 29 subjects listed in the eleventh schedule
of the constitution.
The panchayats receive funds from three sources:
Local body grants, as recommended by the Central Finance
Commission
Funds for implementation of centrally sponsored schemes
Funds released by the state governments on the recommendations of
the State Finance Commissions
In the history of Panchayati Raj in India, on 24 April 1993, the
Constitutional (73rd Amendment) Act 1992 came into force to provide
constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions. This act was
extended to Panchayats in the tribal areas of eight states, namely Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Odisha and Rajasthan starting 24 December 1996. Currently, the
Panchayati Raj system exists in all the states except Nagaland, Meghalaya
and Mizoram, and in all Union Territories except Delhi.
Discussed in earlier classes about the following topics:
Development and Underdevelopment
Theories: Dominant paradigm, Dependency, Diffusion of Innovation.
Participatory Communication
Empowerment, Sustainable development, HDI, Civil Societies like
MKSS and NAPM.
Understanding development from the western perspective is completely
different from Indian perspective because the nature, resources, manpower
and culture are completely different in both the cases. Beginning of
development thinking has started from west India modelled its development
plans as a mix of the dominant paradigm of the fifties and its own models of
development like the Panchayati Raj unique to Indian societies. The
Panchayat Raj models were essentially based on participatory models
and basic needs models.
Panchayati Raj Model
The panchayati raj is a South Asian political system mainly in India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It is the oldest system of local
government in the Indian subcontinent. The word "panchayat" literally
means "assembly" (ayat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen
and accepted by the local community.
Panchayat Raj is a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the
basic units of administration. It has 3 levels: Gram (village, though it can
comprise more than one village), Janpad (block) and Zilla (district).
The term "panchayat raj" is relatively new, having originated during the
British administration. Raj literally means "rule". Mahatma Gandhi
advocated Panchayati Raj, a decentralized form of Government where
each village is responsible for its own affairs, as the foundation of India's
political system. The term for such a vision was Gram Swaraj ("village self-
governance").
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee:
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee appointed by the
Government of India in January 1957 to examine the working of the
, Community Development Programme (1952) and the National
Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their better working.
The recommendations of the committee were approved by NDC in January
1958 and this set the stage for the launching of Panchayati Raj Institutions
throughout the country. The committee recommended the establishment of
the scheme of which finally came to be
known as Panchayati Raj.
Establishment of a 3-tier Panchayati Raj system
(i) Gram Panchayat at the village level,
(ii) Panchayat Samiti at the block level(Janpad), and
(iii) Zila Parishad at the district level.
This system was adopted by state governments during the 1950s and 60s,
as laws were passed to establish panchayats in various states. It also found
backing in the Indian Constitution, with the 73rd amendment in 1992 to
accommodate the idea. The Amendment Act of 1992 contains provision for
devolution of powers and responsibilities to the panchayats both for the
preparation of economic development plans and social justice, as well as
for implementation in relation to 29 subjects listed in the eleventh schedule
of the constitution.
The panchayats receive funds from three sources:
Local body grants, as recommended by the Central Finance
Commission
Funds for implementation of centrally sponsored schemes
Funds released by the state governments on the recommendations of
the State Finance Commissions
In the history of Panchayati Raj in India, on 24 April 1993, the
Constitutional (73rd Amendment) Act 1992 came into force to provide
constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions. This act was
extended to Panchayats in the tribal areas of eight states, namely Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Odisha and Rajasthan starting 24 December 1996. Currently, the
Panchayati Raj system exists in all the states except Nagaland, Meghalaya
and Mizoram, and in all Union Territories except Delhi.
