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 were merged under 74th Constitutional Amendment Act 1992/91 purpose of consolidation of plans at district level for better urban development and governance. District Planning Committee as instrument of grassroot level planning: 1) Consolidate plans of various panchayats and urban local bodies 2) Multiple stakeholders for consultation 3) Data based governance and policy formulation 4) Focus on urban-rural development in district. Appraisal of District Planning Committee: 1) Top down planning in most districts. 2) Skewed avails & Few districts performed well such as Indore, Bhopal. 3) Platform for synergy between urban local bodies and rural bodies. 4) Dearth of experts for better planning.

Appraisal of District Planning Committee: 1) Top down planning in most districts. 2) Skewed avails & Few districts performed well such as Indore, Bhopal. 3) Platform for synergy between urban local bodies and rural bodies. 4) Dearth of experts for better planning. Issues faced by district Planning Committee: 1) State government interference - Top down approach of planning. 2) No implementation of plans & Plans of District planning committee are merely drafted and not implemented 3) Lack of funding and functionalities with local bodies to implement plans. 4) Lack of quality expert engagement in consultation and plan preparation. 5) Parallel governance under smart cities mission. 6) Lack of function devolution to urban local bodies by state government