Though Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have become a platform for competitive politics, they have not emerged as an agency of planning and service delivery. Why?

PRIs are constitutionally

decentralised bodies of local self government

under 73rd constitutional amendment Act

1993 through part 9.

[PRIs as — competitive politics]

(1) Due to constitutionally mandated

elections every 5 years, local

parties have blossomed.

(2) Even national & state level parties

participate and support candidates (eg) in Punjab AAP

(3) The trends of Panchayat levels also

is reflected in national & state

level concerns.

(4) As reservation for SC, STs and

women present → gives scope for

identity politics

The PRI elections are microcosm of the democratic milieu of India.

But not emerged as planning as service delivery institute as :-

1. Lack of funds as lack of own taxation (2nd ARC); transfers from State & central finance commission are not met (M/o PRI report).

2. The states are apprehensive about devolution of functions as per schedule 11 (Activity Mapping) (Mani Shankar Aiyar committee). → also there is duplication as States and PRIs have same subject

3. Administrative decentralisation is also weak as bureaucrats held on to offices. → M/o PRI notes even the people don't want to take responsibility

4. The parastatals bypass the elected PRIs as we see bodies like Rural Development Associations get funds but PRIs lack funds.

5. As reserved seats rotate, there is continued politics and contestation but lack of action.

6. PRIs lack even basic infrastructure cadastral maps and data to formulate policies.

7. Reservation & Social Justice as token as Sarpanch Pati system.

Thus solutions

• 2nd ARC: getting rid of parastatals
• Mani Shankar Aiyar Committee: Activity Mapping