*जिला योजना समिति की परिकल्पना जमीनी स्तर पर विकास को संघ बनाने के एक प्रभावी साधन के रूप में की गई थी, लेकिन यह इस लक्ष्य को पूरे करने में कितनी सफल रही है? जिला योजना समितियों द्वारा सामना की जाने वाली चुनौतियों पर चर्चा कीजिए और उन्हें अधिक प्रभावी बनाने के उपाय सुझाइए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) / 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)

1. Guardians of democratic decentralisation

2. District Planning committee to aid municipalities in strengthening infrastructure

3. Coherent and consistent approach to public service delivery

4. Participatory Governance

Success in achieving the goal of grass-root level planning

1. Improved access to civic amenities (eg) Role of DPC in Swadh Bharat Mission.

2. Promoting sustainable and inclusive growth (eg) Waste Management Rules 2016

3. Promote participatory alliance and principle of subsidiarity.

Limitation in goal of grass-root level planning

1. DPCs are not constituted in many districts

2. Lack of functions:

a. Municipality acts as means of service delivery and not as body of governance

b. Many states have not fully devolved the 19 functions under Schedule 12.

3. Resource constraint:

L High vacancies in technical staff

L No proper infrastructure such as poor harnessing of technology

4. Fund crisis:

L Dependent on state transfers and centre's grants

L low level of own resource funding

Reforms for effective functioning

1. Mandatory formation of DPCs in every district.

3. Effective use of Municipal bonds for resource mobilization

4. Efficient process for recruitment of staff

District Planning committee are institution to promote accountability in a democratic society