GS2 · 15 marks · 250 words

The District Planning Committee (DPC) was envisioned as a key instrument to strengthen grassroots-level planning. How far has it succeeded in achieving this goal? Discuss the challenges faced by DPCs and suggest measures to make them more effective.

Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Local GovernmentFederalismPolicy Design and Implementation

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

How toppers approached it

From all 11 answers · about 210 words · 55% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision55%
  • A definition27%
  • No separate opening18%

Body

  • Points82%
  • Points and prose18%

Close

  • A way forward64%
  • A summary36%

The toppers’ answers

Zinnia AuroraAIR 6 · CSE 2025 · 192 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

74th Constitutional Amendment focusses on grassroots development planning and implementation via District Planning Committee.

Body · points

Diagram
- DPC Working - Development planning - Tailored understanding of gaps - Delivery of last mile public service

Success thus achieved

  1. Tailormade and customized planning → urban planning rise.

  2. Consultative plan making → stakeholder participation in Kerala model.

  3. Stronger decentralization without financial devolution.

  4. Introduction of electoral component with bureaucracy

Diagram
- two overlapping circles labelled bureaucrat and common man, with the intersection shaded and an arrow pointing from it to the text: civic synergy

  1. Better working for municipal finance as well → Glass's study on effective DPC financing in Indore.

  2. Helps initiate citizen centric agenda-setting relayed uptil Chief minister → Andhra Pradesh DPC portal

  3. Introduction of competitive districts and block under → NITI Aayog's APD and ABP.

[Challenges]

  1. Financial fetters → lack of devolution

  2. Functional deprivation → inability to autonomously work.

  3. Tied grants cut down innovative policy making.

  4. Lack of focus in small tier 2 and 3 towns.

  5. Overlap of jurisdiction caused lack of accountability.

[measures]

  1. Municipal finance innovation → WB manual on innovative finance.
  2. Integration with market → SPV model of Smart Cities Mission.
  3. Holistic programme development with 'ownership' ethos → Village Adoption Programme for MPs.
  4. Stronger 3Fs (fund, function, functionary) devolution

Close · a summary

Thus, DPCs hold the key to reaping urbanisation dividend and last mile.

More on Local Government

Panchayati Raj, urban bodies, devolution of powers and finances.

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