Common interest groups, village institutions and the rural poor in India: a review of the District Poverty Initiatives Project

Abstract

The District Poverty Initiatives Project (DPIP) in India was launched in a few states in recent years with a view to ensuring that the most disadvantaged or the poorest have a central role in the design and implementation of subprojects vital to their livelihoods. An elaborate organisational structure at the state, district and village levels was created to give local needs and priorities due attention. Since the most disadvantaged lack awareness of various options and organisational skills, capacity-building of common interest groups is a key strategic element of the DPIP. Another key element is the attitudinal and behavioural transformation of various stakeholders—especially bureaucrats and elected representatives at the village level—through sensitisation programmes. That these innovations may make a difference to the lives of the most disadvantaged cannot be ruled out. However, some risks of so-called community or demand-driven initiatives must not be overlooked, including bureaucratic control and interference at the state and district levels that could result in supply side distortions, and panchayats (councils) at the village level that could cater to the interests of the local power structure, and common interest groups that could exclude the poorest. Unless the poorest have the collective strength to affirm their interests, they are not likely to benefit much from the DPIP.