The Asian Development Bank claims that, from 2009 onwards, food security is a major focus of their support and assistance in India and the rest of Asia. This analysis of their overall approach and projects in India indicates that their... more
The Asian Development Bank claims that, from 2009 onwards, food security is a major focus of their support and assistance in India and the rest of Asia. This analysis of their overall approach and projects in India indicates that their support may in fact exacerbate the problems that have led to the ongoing food crisis in this area.
PESA, enacted in 1996 assumed that people-centric governance may become reality if Part IX of the Constitution is extended to the Schedule. V Areas,for which Gram Sabha were accorded central role. It was assumed that Gram Sabhas , would... more
PESA, enacted in 1996 assumed that people-centric governance may become reality if Part IX of the Constitution is extended to the Schedule. V Areas,for which Gram Sabha were accorded central role. It was assumed that Gram Sabhas , would develop competence over a period of time to safeguard and preserve the traditions of the people in the area and maintain control and proper utilization of community resources to enrich the socio economic life of the people besides ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity in the rural areas.
The existence of high degree of poverty, exploitation of tribal population and above all lack of infrastructure, which not only have posed obstacles to the fast development of these areas besides have perpetuated illiteracy and marginalization for the people. The growth of left wing extremism being spearheaded by the Naxalites has now posed greater difficulties not only in terms of implementation of government sponsored welfare programmes for alleviation of poverty but also towards realization of long term development vision .
As such the present challenges call forth immediate attention on our part towards the present day level of incapacity on the part of Gram Sabhas in properly discharging of the requisite executive functions for approving and undertaking development plans sensitive to the local villages and in matters of resettlement and rehabilitation of poor tribals in the context of their land acquisition for any development oriented projects.
In my proposed paper besides discussion of strategies for people centric governance in the Gram sabhas, I have also attempted a detailed analysis of the reasons of the failure of these popular bodies in the rural level and expect to come up with policy specific recommendations to energize them with specific amendments to be incorporated in the act besides bringing about a change in the attitudes of the stakeholders towards such important bodies.
