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

District Planning Committee is a constitutional body in Part IXA to ensure holistic & inclusive planning process in urban local bodies. Role of DPCs: - Create plans as per requirements of district & Govt supervision - Include Members of unelected bodies NGs and panchayats - Consultative planning Success of DPCs in Grassroot Planning: - Implement panchayat-level planning includes plans under Jan Yojana Abhiyaan fostering Bottom-up approach in planning - Urban root undertakes grassroot problems & immediate concern & harmonize across the panchayat - Experience to local leaders representing to local number in 45% composition - Complement city master plans like Ahgratya's Blue Sympatiqme plan Delhi Soul master plan

Urban root undertakes grassroot problems & immediate concern & harmonize across all panchayat. Concerns of DPCs in Planning: - Lack of experienced leaders: The selected local representatives are inefficient often & driven by populism leading to ineffectiveness. - Absence of Technical Experts: low representation in VS of composition less grounded planning. Parallel Bodies: Think Tanks and research organizations to alternate plans. Poor devolution of functions: Less than 15 States devolved Schedule XII fully to DPCs lack right to plan on those issues. Measures to Improve DPCs: - Observation Members: To include non-technical experts - Action Taken Report: By states for accountability on State plans to Governor - Access to research support: for effectiveness at ground level, include NGOs & CSOs - Diversify membership: include women, CLST, OBC and State representation for collaboration. The efficient use of DPCs will ensure true spirit of A-40 (Bhaos root funnescely) & achieve SDG+1 sustainable urbanizaton.

Not Binding for states uses DPCs as token and use top down approach of planning. Parallel Bodies: Think Tanks and research organizations to alternate plans. Poor devolution of functions: Less than 15 States devolved Schedule XII fully to DPCs lack right to plan on those issues.