DC

Deeksha ChourasiyaAIR 44· 2025

GS2GS2

The District Planning Committee (DPC) was envisioned as a key instrument to strengthen grassroots-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)

Main Body

72nd and 74th constitutional amendment act introduced local self governance with Rajput planning committee (4th schedule) as a means to achieve local [governance]

[Objective of DPC]

(A) Grassroot participation of citizens in governance

(B) Members from municipalities (11/12)

Governor appointed people
Schools / colleges / teachers

(C) Make comprehensive policies by mission integrated plans - District planning

[Success along of DPC]

1Enhance public voice in local matters
2Combine bureaucracy + municipal officers planning
3Renovate siloed approach to planning
4San Andalau
5Policy review by student / teachers
6Regularized planning as per news.
7Participant drawn up management

[Challenges of DPCs]

1Democratic accountability - law
2No DPC formation / delays in election
3GS - Shatbrand lacked DPCs for 2 years

[Measures Needed]

DPC are suggested to empower DPCs with social audits.

A - Align with state planning

B - Better civic participation (Adward)

C - Coordinate with NGO / civil deeper presence in village

D - Ensure heavy term plan (health)

E - Foster fund accumulated with (PPP)

F - (Continuation unclear)

DPC are vehicles of self governance o 75 years of independence (Amrit kaal celebrate) mandates its utilization

Bureaucratic fetters (apathy)

1Inadequate [testu] participation in local governance
2Lack of finality with DPC
3Chain of hierarchy beset co-ordination

(Centre-State-DPC) - one way restriction

Measures Needed

2d DPC suggested to empower DPCs with social audits.

A - Align with state planning

B - Better civic participation (Award)

C - Coordinate with NGO/civil deeper presence in village

D - Ensure heavy term plan (health)

E - Foster fund accumulated with (PPP)

F - (text unclear)

DPC are vehicles of self governance o 75 years of independence (Amrit kaal celebrate) mandates its utilization

Article 293 prohibits states to borrow from external or internal institutions if there is any outstanding debt with centre.

Recently, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab have called for fiscal flexibility in borrowing

[Constitutionally Valid]

Centre - has the power to give fiscal instructions (advisory of centralization)
Centre duty to ensure states fiscal viability (Art 360)
Centre can give (execute) directions

(In line with FRBM act) - 20% debt limit on states

Art-293: Hinder autonomy of states

1Reduces fiscal autonomy and spending power

[Diagram showing state revenue distribution and constraints]

State receives 22-50% of resources and GCT to centre's revenue

2Borrowing has become essential for developmental needs

(E) - Infrastructure - cities need 8-10.2 trillion

3GST regulates + costs - has further reduced state's power

(CESS = 20% of centre revenue)

4Leads to cascading/crowding out effect for private investment

[Disrupt co-operative federalism]

1Sarbanda commission - warned of a "High BP" [at centre and anemia at periphery" syndrome in state-centre.
2Increased dependence on centre for loan disbursement

(E) - Kerala declared to borrow from ADB - financed

477 words18 paragraphs5 bullet points

Diagram

Two circles showing state revenue distribution and fiscal constraints. Left circle shows states receive 22-50% with GCT to centre's revenue. Right circle shows reduced allocation of 20-30% with constraints.

Topper

Deeksha Chourasiya

AIR 442025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Local Self Government

District Planning Committees

Structure and Objectives of DPC

Writing Stats

477

Total words

18

Paragraphs

5

Bullets

analytical

Tone