Ray, Sthitapragyan Ray creator text xu| 2007 continuing ng p.88-108. This paper examines the role of Gram Panchayats in the delivery of health care services in Himachal Pradesh from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. It highlights the weak points in the chain linking panchayats to rural health care delivery. In an environment where the functional effectiveness of statutory village bodies seems to be low, particularly in the crucial area of primary health, new measures have to be taken up to redress the situation. The paradox of successful decentralisation involves, among other things, top-down initiatives for bottom-up implementation. - Reproduced. Health services - India - Himachal Pradesh Panchayat - India - Himachal Pradesh Panchayat Sociological Bulletin 180718