Governance Programme (Panchayti Raj)

The 73^rd Constitutional (Amendment) Act fulfilled a long felt need for promoting local imitative community ownership in the field of development through a strong and functional Panchayat. Democratic decentralisation was finally ushered in and right from the elections through educating the voters, the prospective candidates and other requisite interventions in pre, during and post-election phases. The elections were viewed as a means to ensure a self-reliant, self-dependent and prosperous life for the people at the grass roots.

As earlier, the elections to the PRIs was organised in a campaign mode, where, at the State level, a workshop was organised to prepare strategy for the campaign, Coordinator and Advisory committees were formed to coordinate the campaign activities and helping with the legal complexities that may be faced, the State Administration was sensitized through meetings, the media was sensitized through exposure visits, Radio spots were used for wider dissemination, and a Help Line was started to provide technical support. IEC materials viz. poster, pamphlets and CDs were also prepared.

At the District level, District Coordination Committees ensured effective campaigning, Networks ensured wide coverage and trained Citizen Leaders and CBOs emerged as torchbearers of the campaign and a Mahila Sammelan was tried to bring women to the forefront. Similar activities were carried out at the Block level and at the Local level, foot marches, cycle rallies, wall-writings, video shows, street plays puppet shows etc. were also carried out as above.

Major Achievements

Some of the highlights of SSK's interventions are mentioned as under.

• PICs are being effectively managed by the citizen leaders.
• Enhanced participation of women in meetings of Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas.
• Elected representatives are well aware about their roles, functions, duties, responsibilities and the prevalent operational structure.
• Linkages established at the State Government level.
• The activities were on a continuum right from the Local level through Block and District to the State level.

Team