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)

District Planning Committee DPC was introduced as part of 74th Constitutional Amendment 1993 to achieve vision of democratic decentralization. Follows Bottom-up approach: - Wider Representation from local bodies (urban and rural) - Inclusivity as includes women - Participatory Governance Instrument for grassroots-level Planning: - A Wider Representation from local bodies (urban and rural) - B Inclusivity as includes women - C Participatory Governance Success in Achieving Goal of Grassroots Planning: - (1) Implementation of 74th Constitutional Amendment across all states—Success Challenges Faced by DPCs: - (1) Rise of parallel bodies like Panchayat encroaches power of DPC - (2) DRDA in Bihar - (3) Bureaucratic hurdles due to old administrative capacity - (2) Dearth of funds omit devolution of financial powers (except few states like Kerala) - (1) Underdeveloped and lack of functionalities - (5) Poor infrastructure - (4) Law of funds omit devolution of financial powers (except few states like Kerala)

Decentralised Planning by local representatives in Tier II, Tier III cities Grievance Redressal mechanism as sequestration from rural and urban bodies catering to local demands Enhances cooperative federalism by planning on subject under Schedule 12 WAY FORWARD: - (1) 2nd ARC Recommendations: Devolution through State Finance Commission Reforms - (3) Comprehensive urban planning with multi-stakeholder approach - (2) Innovative financing models like Municipal Bonds (to reduce Municipal Corporation) - (4) Sharing of Best Practices among Planning Committees - (5) Capacity building and citizen charter Artist mechanism and independent decision making is need of the hour to achieve true spirit of principle of subsidiarity via DPC as measure