Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in 60 Years of Independent India : Vision of the Future

Contents: Preface. Introduction: the vitality of Panchayati Raj Institutions after 60 years of independent India: future vision/D. Sundar Ram. 1. Panchayati Raj Institutions in India: an instrument of participatory democracy/A. Chakrapani. 2. Rajiv Gandhi: an architect of modern India/R.L. Bhatia. 3. Synthesising New Indian knowledge and innovation systems: future agenda/R.A. Mashelkar. 4. Democratic decentralisation through Panchayati Raj Institutions: the Indian experiences/N.C. Saxena. 5. Panchayati Raj in India: a vision for the future/V. Mohini Giri. 6. Devolution of 3 F\'s to Panchayati Raj Institutions: a development paradigm in India/K. Karunakar Patnaik. 7. Gram Panchayat Libraries in Karnataka: an innovative initiative/B.S. Bhargava, K. Subha and D.S. Hanumantha Rao. 8. Constitutional laws Vs community laws: conflict and synergy/G. Palanithurai. 9. Educating children in India: policy and perspectives/Snehalata Panda. 10. Rural development through Panchayati Raj Institutions: strengthening a participatory democracy in India/N.S. Gehlot. 11. Public accountability, community empowerment and e-governance/Damodar Rout. 12. Democratic decentralization and participatory planning in Kerala: the locomotive of a new development culture/Mohanan Bhaskaran Pillai. 13. Capacity building for rural development personnel and Panchayati Raj/M.L. Santhanam. 14. Right to information act in India: rhetoric and reality/I. Satya Sundaram. 15. Emerging challenges on reservation policy of Panchayati Raj Institutions: the case of women representatives in India/Pramod K. Mishra. 16. Total sanitation campaign and Nirmal Gram Puraskar: role of Panchayats in Four Indian states/Jos Chathukulam and K. Gireesan. 17. Decentralisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions and good governance in Andhra Pradesh: a vision of the future/M. Gopinath Reddy. 18. Karnataka Panchayati Raj System: a step towards good governance/N. Sivanna. 19. Social marketing: a case study of drinking water supply and sanitation in Karnataka state/Veerashekharappa. 20. Guarding the commons in India: Panchayats and globalisation/V. Raghupathy. 21. Role of Self-Help Groups in Panchayati Raj administration: the Andhra Pradesh experience/D. Krishnamoorthy. 22. Decentralised planning in India: are the Panchayati Raj Institutions really empowered?/M. Devendra Babu. 23. Emerging women leadership at the grassroots: a micro-level study in Andhra Pradesh/K.C. Smitha. 24. Dalit women Panchayat representatives: Tamil Nadu experience/S. Viswanathan. 25. Panchayati Raj Institutions after 60 years of independent India: working towards decentralization and good governance/D. Sundar Ram. Appendices. Index.

"The twenty-five chapters in the present volume, written by distinguished policy makers, scientists, administrators and scholars provide a comprehensive review of the initiatives of various governments at the federal as well as state levels in bringing out a revolutionary Panchayati Raj reforms, through 73 Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 and various State Panchayati Raj Acts, for transformation of rural India. The distinguished panel of contributors of the volume identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Panchayati Raj Institutions over a period of 60 years of Independent India and suggests a holistic reforms package for efficient functioning of the grassroots democratic institutions for delivering good governance." (jacket)