AR

Ananya RanaAIR 60· 2025

Question 12.GS2GS2

The District Planning Committee (DPC) was envisioned as a key instrument to strengthen grassroot-level planning. How far has it succeeded in achieving this goal? Discuss the challenges faced by DPCs and suggest measures to make them more effective. (Answer in 250 words)

Open scan (p.29)
AnswerStrengthsGapsKeywords

Introduction

District Planning Committee (DPC) is an institution where both urban and rural components of local-level governance cooperate and coordinate to give effect to policies.

24 words

Main Body

District Planning Committee (DPC) is an institution where both urban and rural components of local-level governance cooperate and coordinate to give effect to policies.

Challenges faced by DPC:

1Headed by bureaucratic work culture - often causing delays and cost overruns
2Creation of para-statal bodies [like Special Purpose Vehicles under Smart Cities Mission]
3Lack of managerial skills among representatives of local level government
4Sarpanches, branches - just for ticking the boxes.
5No substantial devolution of powers to local government by the States (Schedule XI, XII etc)

Measures needed to make DPC more effective:

1Skilling of local level government representative via National Institute of Local Governance
2On-line monitoring of works implemented by DPC
3GR Code based public feedback system
4Removing red-tapism by streamlining procedures
5Giving clear cut and separate mandate to DPC and SPVs
142 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

DPC as an instrument of grassroot development must pay heed to public grievances by keeping its 'ears and eyes to the ground'.

22 words

Diagram

Achievements of DPC in strengthening grassroot-level planning showing: (1) Cooperation between rural and urban counterparts, (2) Link between local and central level governance structures, (3) Preparation of district-level plans to ensure holistic development

  • Clear definition of DPC's institutional role
  • Identifies key functioning aspects through structured diagram
  • Distinguishes urban-rural coordination mechanisms
  • Identifies multiple challenges systematically
  • References constitutional provisions (Schedule XI, XII)
  • Connects to contemporary schemes (Smart Cities)
  • Provides concrete and actionable measures
  • References institutional framework (NILG)
  • Addresses both technical and administrative solutions
  • Strong concluding statement

Open original scan

Page 29

Topper

Ananya Rana

AIR 602025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Local Self-Government

District Planning Committee

Role and Functioning of DPC

Writing Stats

188

Total words

1

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone