Grama Panchayats Research Articles

Integrating SDGs to village development plan through the provision of infrastructure: The case of best village panchayat in Kerala, South India

With the declaration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the importance of localisation principles and, consequently, the local-level institutions in implementing development policies came to the forefront. India adopted a thematic approach by condensing the seventeen goals into nine themes, to be worked upon by the local administrative units, furthering that each Village Panchayat (constitutionally known as Grama Panchayats) should select a theme in a plan year and strive towards attaining it. For the South Indian state of Kerala, with its good trajectory of decentralised governance, this localisation process of SDGs was rather smooth. In this article, we discuss the case of the best-performing Grama Panchayat (GP) in Kerala, which has identified ‘Village with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure’ as the development theme. Through qualitative research methodology, we examine how the Panchayat included projects specific to this theme in the development plans and how the implementation helped produce effects on multidimensional aspects of SDGs using the SDG Impact Assessment Tool. The case studies of different infrastructure-based projects endorse that with proper planning and implementation of such projects, the lowest tier of administration can significantly contribute to the improvement of development goals. We have delineated full fund utilisation through convergence schemes, community participation, and strong monitoring mechanisms as the factors leading the selected Panchayat to be the champion of the cause. The accomplishment exhibited by the Panchayat by integrating SDGs into the Village Development Plan through the projects on the theme of self-sufficient infrastructure can be well emulated by other local bodies across the world.

Community farm school approach for coconut seedlings/juveniles through collaborative social actions

Three Grama Panchayats in Kerala's Alappuzha district undertook community-level participatory action research in 2019–2021. A total of 90 coconut farmers participated in the adoption of ICAR-CPCRI technology to produce West Coast Tall (WCT) coconut seedlings that are resistant/tolerant to the root (wilt) disease at the community level. Partners included extension agents, coconut producers' societies (CPS) and clusters, women self-help groups (WSHGs), and agricultural labor organizations. The characteristics of technologies that are suggested for adoption in root (wilt) disease-affected tracts, such as the scientific management of young coconut trees and the production of high-quality seedlings through community nurseries, challenge the idea of adoption. There are a lot of variances in the homestead gardens' marginal holdings, including expertise, the use of technology, and access to advisory services. Government agencies provided the majority of the seedlings and extension advisory services, emphasizing the necessity for FPO-based or private extension in the coconut growing industry. The coconut farmers' understanding has significantly improved as a result of the participatory interventions for managing seedlings. The participatory demonstration and community farm school (CFS) strategy is discussed in the paper as a way for homesteads to manage juvenile coconuts while integrating new ideas and fostering cross and reciprocal learning. Refining the current extension approach requires integrating new knowledge about the characteristics of seedling growth, future economic performance, and social evaluation of choices of technological, individual, and skill-oriented interventions in risk-prone areas with debilitating root (wilt) disease.

Involvement of Panchayats in the Development of Primary Schools Located in the Tribal Areas of Wayanad, Kerala

The paper explores the role of Grama Panchayats in advancing the development of primary schools situated in the tribal regions of Wayanad, Kerala. This includes their participation in matters such as student enrollment, reducing dropout rates, teacher training, enhancing infrastructure, managing the midday meal program, and monitoring school activities. The paper's conclusion highlights that the Panchayats' contributions in these areas have been limited and underscores the urgent necessity for their more proactive engagement to enhance the quality of primary school education.

Constraints of Extisting Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) Methods in India- A Critical Analysis

Extension in many countries has come to cover a variety of activities in both the public and private sectors, yet the transfer of information continues to be the ultimate focus of all extension activities. The present study was conducted in Kannur district of Kerala state, to identify the constraints of existing ITD methods implemented by different agricultural institutions in Kannur and find out the suggestions from farmers for improvement. Thirty farmers each from four selected Grama Panchayats (Ezhome, Kankol- Alapadamba, Kadannapalli- Panapuzha and Mayyil) of Kannur were identified using simple random sampling. A well-structured interview schedule was used for collecting data from the respondents. The data were tabulated and inferences were drawn after appropriate statistical analysis. The results shows that lack of awareness about the latest ICT methods for technology dissemination’ is having highest mean score (72.17) and it is considered as the most severe constraint by the farmers followed by ‘trainings are not effective to meet farmer’s needs’ (71.5) and ‘Less training programs for farmers and extension personnel (69.77).

The economic efficiency of developed and under developed grama panchayats in rising own source of revenue in karnataka: A case study of bangalore rural and Chamarajanagar districts

The economic efficiency of developed and under developed grama panchayats in rising own source of revenue in karnataka: A case study of bangalore rural and Chamarajanagar districts

Factors influencing implementation of paddy promotion programmes under different levels of planning

This paper reports on a study conducted in Thrissur district of Kerala State to identify the factors influencing implementation of paddy promotion programmes that could lead to an improved success and sustainability rate for the interventions. Three leading paddy producing blocks from Thrissur district viz., Pazhayanur, Puzhakkal and Anthikkad and from them leading paddy producing Grama Panchayats namely, Chelakkara, Arimpur and Adat, respectively were selected by adopting multi-stage sampling method. Thirty extension personnel were randomly interviewed using pre-tested questionnaire. Factor index was used and the analysis identified resource perspectives and scheme features as the most influencing factors that could determine the success of the implemented schemes though in varying degree as in case of schemes under decentralized planning and Centrally sponsored and State schemes. Also, the individual factor indices thus generated for factors influencing Centrally and State sponsored schemes and those under decentralized planning were compared using independent t- test and was found out that the factors influencing the implementation in both cases were significantly different.

Direct Vs Indirect Election to Grama Panchayat President: Reflections and Implications

This discussion paper is a qualitative analysis built on opinions. Though there is no one-to-one link between performance and service delivery of grama panchayats (GPs) and method of election to GP president, the paper talks about opinions, which support direct election. There is a discussion going on at the policy level in States like Karnataka whether to go in for direct election of the president of the gram panchayat or not. Although the overall preference of stakeholders and people is for direct election, the empirical data and the opinions of those with whom we interacted fail to clearly bring out the justification for direct or indirect election of GP president. The reasons are many: the differences in structure and size of the panchayats across selected States, linkages with higher level of PRIs, their financing mechanism and devolution of powers. In the absence of counterfactuals with similar panchayati raj system in States with direct election it is difficult to say which system is better than the other. Though the differences are not very significant, resource mobilisation, efficiency in delivery of services and utilisation of funds appear to be better in States with direct election. And, quick decisions, higher social auditing, higher social equity, satisfaction with election system and low incidence of no-confidence motion, dominance of caste are also the features noted in States with direct election. On the other hand, cooperation and collective decision, weightage to the institution rather than the individual, competition among members for getting benefits to their wards are some of the merits of indirect election. After weighing the merits of both the systems, direct election clearly stands out as a preferred system.

Farmers' Perception on Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) Methods

Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) is a part of Agricultural extension system, concerned with transmitting information and knowledge of important agricultural technology from research to farmer. The present study was conducted in Kannur district of Kerala to identify the perception of farmers on ITD methods implemented by different agricultural institutions in Kannur district with special reference to Kannur Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). Thirty farmers each from four selected grama panchayats (Ezhome, Kankol- Alapadamba, Kadannapalli- Panapuzha and Mayyil) of Kannur were identified using simple random sampling and a total of one hundred and twenty respondents were included in the study. A well-structured interview schedule was used for collecting the data from the respondents. The data were tabulated and inferences were drawn after appropriate statistical analysis. Majority of the farmers had medium level of perception on ITD methods followed by low level.

INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME AT GUNJALA VILLAGE – A CASE STUDY

Integrated watershed management programme was launched in Tamsi mandal of gunjala village by using ‘Four water Concept’. Case study included Questionnaire survey from farmers living in that village, and continuous study over a period of two years. Tamsi village is a tribal village and drought area with very less rainfall. Total project area is 4566 Hac, Project Cost Rs. 547.92 Lakhs. The sanctioned area of Gunjala micro watershed is 710 Hac with a outlay of Rs. 85.20 Lakhs. Out of which the total expenditure incurred was Rs.39.12 Lakhs and constructed structures were LBS, RFDs, PTs, CDs and Plantation. Over two year period, it was observed that, 2 years of period the ground water has been improved in this village and three Bore wells are drilled and they are successful, even during peak summer they could meet their day today activities. The farmer Jadhav Uttam has an additional income of Rs. 17600 per Acre in cotton and Rs. 6300 per Acre in Red Gram. The farmer Gnan Singh had an additional income of Rs. 17600 per Acre in cotton and Rs. 5,250 per Acre in Red Gram. The farmer Amber Singh had an additional income of Rs. 13200 per Acre in cotton and Rs. 3,500 per Acre in Red Gram. In the same way, others farmers were also able to generate the benefits from the construction of water storage structures. Total Additional income generated for Seven farmers was Rs. 6, 31000/in 2011-2012 Cropping Season with construction of Check Dams of Rs.3,24000/an additional average income per Acre to the farmer is of Rs. 22,500/and a series of 8 Nos. check dams are constructed on single 3 rd order stream which flows Across the 6 Grama Panchayats from ridge to valley. There are 90 farmers cultivating 168 Acre of land who are benefited by getting an additional income of Rs.37,80,000/-.

Politics of Exclusion: The Case of Scheduled Castes in the Panchayats of Karnataka

People belonging to the Scheduled Castes have had a long history of being discriminated against, exploited and placed at the bottom of caste society. After the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, measures such as quota within ordinary seats in the Panchayats as well as among the office-bearers have been introduced to overcome indignities endured through history by members of the Scheduled Castes. Notwithstanding these reservations, there is still strong resistance among those of higher castes (just above that of the Scheduled Castes in many cases), who have not been enthusiastic about reservations of the post of Panchayat president for Scheduled Caste people. What needs to be seen is whether the people of Scheduled Castes are able to participate, or whether they have been prevented from doing so, by the castes that are higher to them, as well as those that are dominant in the area of the Grama Panchayats. This article discusses certain issues that are related to the participation of Scheduled Castes in the Panchayats of Karnataka.

Socio-economic and political status of panchayats Elected representatives (A Study of Mysore District-Karnataka)

The paper presents the structure and functions of Panchayati raj Institutions. It also highlights the social composition of elected members and their participation in the decision making process in PRIs. Liberal Democracy is one of the basic features of the Indian Constitution. Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayat Raj even before Independence. The further of the Nation felt that as issues at the village levels must be addressed by the people only under self-governance and the State or the Central Governments only facilitate such self-rule through grants and by conferring autonomy on them. Panchayat system had earlier an informal setup to redress the local issues and problems of communities which were mainly social and economic in nature. They were popular institutions at micro levels and the main objective was to keep the local community in harmony and to encourage participation in the process of development. The Mysore Government in 1902 passed the Mysore Local Boards Act with a view to revitaling the rural local Government. In 1918, the Mysore Government enacted the Mysore Local Boards and Village Panchayat Act making provisions for elected representatives at the district and taluk levels. After Independence, District and Taluk Boards were set up by the Mysore Government. The first independent legislation on Panchayat Raj Institutions was enacted by the Ramakrishna Hegde Government in 1983 and was brought into effect from April 1987 with the first elections to these local bodies in rural areas. This was amended during 1993. The salient features of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993 are: To establish a 3-tier Panchayat Raj System of elected bodies. Reservation of seats to SC/ST and 50% seats to women at all levels; reservation of seats to persons belonging to other backward classes. Reservation of offices of Chairpersons in favour of SC/ST, women and backward classes. Establishing Finance Commission and District Planning Committee. Constituting a State Panchayat Council. Mysore district consists of seven revenue taluks, namely, H.D. Kote, Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Nanjangud, Periyapatna, T. Narasipura and Mysore (Urban and Rural). For administrative purposes, Mysore district is divided into two subdivisions, which are Hunsur and Mysore and the district has 1,216 villages, 11 statutory towns, 235 grama panchayats and 226 wards. The District Commissioner is responsible for managing the district administration and the Assistant Commissioners are responsible for managing the sub-divisions of the district. Objectives of the Study; To study the socio-economic and political background of the rural political leadership. To examine the nature of the power, structure of the panchayat raj leadership in mysore district, Karnataka. To analyse the problems in implementation of the rural development activities of the panchayats in mysore district, Karnataka. The methodology consists largely of methods of primary survey, namely the questionnaire survey and individual interviews. The primary sources of data are the collected from panchayats elected members in the mysore district. The mysore district has 235 Grama Panchayats (GPs) in which 23 (10 per cent) respondent to a questionnaire. The total number of GPs elected members is 4300, of which 215 (05 per cent) of respondent to a questionnaire. Samples were selected from all the taluks of the district. Word Key: PRIs, presidents, members, Socio, Economic, political

How Effective are Social Audits under MGNREGS? Lessons from Karnataka

This case study on social audits under MGNREGS in Karnataka aims to provide suggestions on how to improve the design and implementation of social audits in the state. With the help of the primary data collected from five grama panchayats in Chitradurga district, the paper argues that although the documentary evidence shows that social audits are conducted they do not fulfil the main objective of engaging the beneficiaries of the scheme and making the scheme effective. Social audit process is compromised by the influence wielded by village elites which results in the exclusion of poor labourers for whom the scheme is primarily meant. The social audit process could be made more participatory by ensuring that it is conducted in an impartial manner.

Assessing perceptions about malaria among the elected representatives in rural India

Objective:The short-term objective of our endeavour was to understand the perception of Grama panchayat presidents and secretaries on the issues related to malaria and its control, being the key leaders of the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) at a Grama panchayat level. This was necessary to achieve the long-term objective of the role of PRIs in malaria control and their enhanced participation/partnership with the public health sector.Materials and Methods:Grama panchayat presidents and secretaries representing all the 28 Grama panchayats of Chikkanayakanahalli taluk Tumkur district in Karnataka were invited for a 1-day workshop. Deliberations with the participants (n = 32) shed light on their perceptions with respect to knowledge, attitude and practice vis-a-vis malaria and its control strategies.Results:Their knowledge of malaria as a disease was fairly good as they were well aware of it being a communicable disease and its transmission by mosquitoes. However, knowledge about the breeding sources of malaria mosquitoes (Anophelines) was very poor. Many practices in vogue to control mosquitoes at the community level were unscientific. There was a general negative attitude toward the government's handling of the malaria problem and the credibility of the health care system.Conclusion:Existence of health committees in every Grama panchayat coupled with their jurisdiction and responsibilities toward sanitation, water supply and health care resources makes PRIs a natural partner to the health sector. While health education and public health intervention strategies should be based on generic principles of science, the implementation and operational specifics should definitely be based on a sociological perspective of the stakeholders.

Ambiguous Institutions: Traditional Governance and Local Democracy in Rural South India

In India, ‘customary village councils’ are generally believed to be disappearing vestiges of a pre-democratic, hierarchical socio-political order. However, while remaining informal and maintaining a low public profile, in Karnataka state they are actively taking on new roles, adapting to the democratic, competitive political environment, becoming more representative and pluralist, and providing a wide range of services that are highly valued by the populations they serve. The relationship of customary village councils to the formal, elected local councils (Grama Panchayats) – and to electoral democracy generally – is more synergistic and complementary than competitive.

Rivalry or Synergy? Formal and Informal Local Governance in Rural India

ABSTRACTInformal local governance institutions (ILGIs) are prevalent at the village level in rural India. Generally perceived by urban Indians to be ‘oppressive’, ILGIs also have progressive features and often perform a range of useful collective functions at the village level. Instead of fading away in the face of modernity, ILGIs have found ways to interact, often in a positive manner, with the newer, elected local government institutions, the Grama Panchayats. Based on field research in Karnataka state, this article tries to present a more holistic picture of ILGIs, including their role in village governance and service delivery; the ways in which they interact with Grama Panchayats, and the implications of their existence and role for local democracy. It also presents a tentative theoretical framework towards explaining why ILGIs in Karnataka particularly, and in India generally, seem to be less repressive, more functional and more likely to survive than in some other countries of the South.