Rural development through integrated planning and implementation at the panchayat level
- 2009
- p.138-143.
- Jan-Mar
Article 243-G endows the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government for preparation of plans and the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice. However, because of the weak administrative action for effective transfer of three Fs (functions, Funds and Functionaries) these provisions have not sufficiently activated the Panchayats to function as units of local self-government. The Central Government undertakes large fiscal transfer to the states in the functional domain of the Panchayats, mainly through Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) and Additional Central Assistance (ACA). The shortcomings that are manifested in the CSS approach as currently seen are rigid conditionalities, no consistent approach to institutional structures, obession with financial performance, ineffective monitoring of outcome, etc. Effective implementation of CSSs demands participation by users and beneficiaries in fine-tuning scheme guidelines to local situations and requirements. - Reproduced.