New Panchayati Raj System at Work: An Evaluation

In the light of the redefinition of governance, globalization of economy and decentralization of power at present, the role of the government is not that of a provider but a facilitator. How human collectivities have perceived the new disposition is a major question daunting the minds of all today. New Panchayati Raj System at Work: An evaluation is the outcome of the repeated exercise done at various villages analysing the functions of the new panchayati raj system. The New Panchayati Raj System established through the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India emphasised the major original function of achieving economic development and social justice by performing planning exercise at the grass-root level with the active participation of the people. 243(G) is the operative clause of the Amendment which has been properly understood by only a few leaders and states. In Tamil Nadu, what is going on in the rural areas after the election to the Local bodies is the major concern of the study. This work brings out the details of the mind-set of the elected local body leaders and the bureaucrats who are working in the Local body institutions. The interface between the leaders and the officials has also been highlighted in this work. The practical difficulties faced by the local body leaders in discharging their role, function and responsibilities have been the focus of discussion in this work based on the case analysis. Major concern is whether the Tamil Nadu Panchayati is moving in the direction given by the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India. This study finally explicitly indicates the lapses, drawbacks and difficulties in operationalising the principles of the constitutional amendment. This book will be widely welcomed by the supports of the grass-root democracy and all those involved in rural development.

About the Author :
Ganapathy Palanithurai is an academic activist and a staunch supporter of grass-root democracy and alternative approach of development. He is currently heading the Department of Political Science and Development Administration in Gandhigram Rural University and Professor in Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Panchayati Raj Studies. His active intervention at the policy-making level is felt and his services are utilised by Government of Tamil Nadu through its Planning Commission. Population Foundation. New Delhi. Government of India through its Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment for activating grass-root democracy. He has to his credit twenty-two books, seventy articles in reputed journals, nine working papers, seven monographs on three major areas: Legislative Behaviour. Ethnicity and Panchayati Raj System. At present, he is involved in capacitation of elected representatives of the people in the local bodies. So far. he has trained more than one thousand two hundred Urban local body women leaders and six hundred rural local body leaders. He has evolved training module and manual for Local body leaders. His endeavours are supported by NGO's. both federal and state governments apart from Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Population Foundation of India. He was awarded the "Junior Fellow" of the World Academy of Art and Science. USA and "Man of the Year 1998" of American Biographical Institute. USA. He was awarded a fellowship by Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, New Delhi to write a book on "Comparative Ethnicity".