Twenty Years of Panchayati Raj Institutions: Gains and Losses

On 3 May 2012, a state level consultation workshop on the “Journey of 20 Years of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Chhattisgarh” was organised by PRIA in collaboration with SAMARTHAN and CASA. This consultation provided a platform for stakeholders from different departments, panchayat elected representatives, CSOs, media and others to discuss the current state of panchayats and to find ways how panchayati raj institutions can be further strengthened.

The day began with a presentation of a perception survey which had been carried out prior to the consultation. The major issues discussed during the consultation were:

1. Increasing gap among elected representatives and officials of the executive wings of different tiers of panchayats.

2. People have lost faith in gram sabha.

3. Accounting system of panchayats is not functioning properly.

4. Over time, elected representatives (specially gram panchayat presidents) have become mere “cheque signing authority”.

5. Standing committees of different tiers of panchayats are not functional in the real sense.

6. Panchayats are getting separate funds from various channels such Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), 13th Finance Commission, etc. These funds should be given to panchayats as a consolidated amount.

7. Gram panchayat secretaries are overburdened and are unable to perform their duties effectively.

8. Reservation roster for panchayats is not appropriate.

9. State election commission should be vested with the responsibility of delimitation, reservation and rotation and above all it should be given the responsibility of conducting all types of elections at the state and district levels.

10. The numerous provisions and sections in the panchayat act are making the system complex. To make the work more effective, these need to be reduced.

11. There is need to find an appropriate mechanism for capacity building of elected representatives.

12. There is a provision for preparation of administrative reports by every tier of panchayats. This is not followed in letter and spirit. It should be followed and the report should be put in the public domain.

13. Standing committees of panchayats must have a secretary from the respective department. This will ensure effective functioning of these committees as well as respective departments will become accountable and responsible towards panchayats. Presence of government officials in zila panchayat and standing committee meetings is necessary.

Among the panelists were Vivek Dhand, Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh; Ms Sarla Kosariya, Zila Parishad President, Mahasamund; Dr Sushil Trivedi, Former Election Commissioner, Chhattisgarh; P.P. Soti, Member, State Planning Board; and Muralidhar Chandram, Srijan Kendra, Janjgir Champa.

The consultation has resulted in an immediate impact. After attending the event and being involved in the discussions, the Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh has issued an order to all district collectors and CEOs to attend zila panchayat and standing committee meetings. PRIA’s advocacy and follow-up work in this regard will continue by sharing a copy of these orders and the press clipping (below) with partners, CSOs and the elected representatives of the different tiers, and by bring any discrepancy to the notice of the principal secretary.