Question 15GS2GS2

यद्यपि पंचायती राज संस्थाएं (PRIs) प्रतिस्पर्धी राजनीति के लिए एक मंच बन गई हैं, किंतु इनका नियोजन एवं सेवा वितरण की प्रक्रिया में उद्भूत नहीं हुआ है। क्यों? (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) / Though Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have become a platform for competitive politics, they have not emerged as an agency of planning and service delivery. Why? (Answer in 250 words)

Main Body

PRI institutions were established by 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1993 and gave practical shape to Article 40 of Gandhian Vision of 'democratic decentralization'. PRIs — platform of competitive politicsi) local body electionsmultiple central, state parties, contest elections. ii) Grassroot leadership developed. iii) Women leader due to 33% reservation. iv) Powers as per LISHTaxation, local issue giving scope for discretion. Not emerged as agency of planning and service deliveryi) Gram Sabhasupposed to go for planning and consensus building (direct democracy embodiment) is weakest link (Not practiced in reality). ii) Devolution of powers as per states discretion so capabilities not created. iii) Elite capture of institutions by PRI by upper caste dominance, strongman politics. iv) Bureaucratization and 'centralization' tendencies (states themselves have less power and are glorified municipalities) (Ashok Mehta Committee). v) Lack of taxation powersinternal resource generation low so cannot provide service delivery.

vi) Institutions of planning like State Finance Commission (SFC) Article 243-I not timely constituted and report ignored. vii) District planning committeemeetings not frequent and DM controls the proceedings. viii) CorruptionDivision of fundslack of accountability mechanism like Social Audit or Citizen Charter. ix) Activity mapping via Subsidiarity principle (2nd ARC). i) Video recording of meetings (Mandandekar higher committee). ii) Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) scheme in mission mode to be further enhanced and PRI ASOFT software used for bargaining. iv) Enhance capability of PRI elected member to take part in planning. v) Social Audit computing for demand side need. Necessary to ensure PRI fulfil mandate and lead to 'sustainable development' and fulfill Gandhi 'Swaraj' to 'Swaraj' (Good governance).

277 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

Necessary to ensure PRI fulfil mandate and lead to 'sustainable development' and fulfill Gandhi 'Swaraj' to 'Swaraj' (Good governance).

19 words

Diagram

Flow chart showing 'Steps Needed' with branches for activity mapping, video recording, GPDP scheme, capability enhancement, and social audit

Answer continues on next page

Examiner score

1.4/10

Open original scan

Page 38

Topper

Nisar Dishant Amrutlal

AIR 192024

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Federal Structure - Functions, Responsibilities, Devolution of Powers and Finances

Local Self Government

Panchayati Raj Institutions

Writing Stats

296

Total words

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone