1. Decentralised Planning
Panchayats, Local Planning and Development **
Sharing GP Level Experience

2. Odisha lives in its villages
Total population (2011) : 4.20 Crores
Rural population : 3.50 Crores
Urban population : 70 lakhs
No. of districts : 30
No. of blocks : 314
No. of GPs : 6232
No. of Villages : 51353

3. Power to the People Before the 73rd Amendment
Seats were reserved for SC/ ST in respect of election of PRI representatives.
Not less than 1/3 of the total seats reserved for women.

4. There was something different about Odisha much earlier
Mr. Biju Patnaik had introduced 3 tier Panchayati Raj in his first tenure as CM
The elected Panchayat Samitis and elected Zilla Parishads were formed in January and March 1961
In his opinion, Panchayati Raj constituted the PEOPLE’S PARALLEL EXECUTIVE APPARATUS

5. He had it clear..
“ We are on the threshold of a very great experiment, perhaps the last experiment where we can trust our people or not; whether our people with proper guidance and assistance can prove to be more efficient collectively, than our present administrative apparatus ”

6. He had pleaded in the Assembly
“ I do not see any reason why members of this House or Parliament should have any direct interference in the normal administration of the GP Movement. We, from this House by our own judgement , are creating a new democratic child with the hope that, with the growth of this child it would be able to develop the leadership, which our people need, the leadership of execution..”

7. Power to the People The 73rd Amendment : What it meant
Objective: The PRIs are to be endowed with responsibilities and powers so that they can truly function as ‘ Institutions of Self Government.’ This involved devolution of funds, functions and functionaries (FFF)

8. Power to the People The 73rd Amendment : What it meant
Devolution of powers to enable the GPs to prepare plans for economic development and social justice.
Effectively implement such schemes at their level.

9. Power to the People Post-73rd Amendment : What Odisha has done
Laws relating to PRIs have been suitably amended.
Powers & functions of Gram Sabha and Palli Sabha redefined.
Provisions of PESA were made applicable in the election process of PRIs (2002 PRI elections)
The process was initiated for devolution of powers to PRIs (FFF)
21 subjects out of 29 in respect of 11 Departments were devolved to 3 tier PRIs. This was in the year 2003

10. Power to the People Post-73rd Amendment :
Planning was given a thrust with a distinct planning unit at district level.(74th Amendment)
The G.P. Administration was strengthened. One Executive Officer post was created and duty & responsibilities were spelt.
Training of PRI representatives was emphasized, so that planning and participation can improve.

11. Power to the People Devolution / G.P. Level
Chiefly creating awareness about the Govt. schemes at the grassroots, motivating people and exercising basic control/ supervision over the services delivered.
Depts include Agriculture, FARD, W&CD, Health & FW, P.Raj,RD, Water Resources

12. Power to the People The Result so far :
Increased awareness among the PRI representatives and the people.
Strengthening of Palli Sabha & Gram Sabha.
Exemplary Mobilisation Initiative in 2012 (GSSK)
45 days program across the state
99.44 % success in Palli Sabha % in respect of Gram Sabha: This was unique .
More accountability in Governance.
More participation of the people in the matter of implementation of various schemes.

13. Power to the People The Results So Far Importance on Planning felt
“ Let people plan and decide about the development of their village ” : the theme is understood
Let Gram Sabha function as democratic centre in local governance : Gram Sabha is emerging stronger
Let Palli Sabha become more active : now better
There has been modest success in all these areas

14. Power to the People The Results So Far
Now GPs have been planning for MGNREGA, BRGF, CC Roads and Special/Misc. Grants provided to them .
Share of the GP in schemes like BRGF clearly spelt out
Selection of VLL/ beneficiaries now more democratic and transparent .

15. Difficulties
Devolution has not come full circle and therefore decentralization has not been that much encouraging
Planning at GP level often gets hijacked/mostly monopolized by the Village Elites. Democracy at Palli Sabha, Gram Sabha or even with GP’s own sittings is not to the expected level
In some cases in tribal pockets the elected representatives are just Shadow Entities. The Local Power (Political) runs the real show

16. The Remote Control Syndrome
Though Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti elections are not (political) party-based , actually the dominant political parties dictate post-election functioning . The voice of ‘majority’ in planning, therefore remains a subaltern, distant voice . Planning in the process becomes exclusive. Politically patriarchal. The projects are finalised by others. Largely Remote Controlled to suit vested interests.
In most cases where women representatives are elected, the macro experience is PROXY Panchayat : It is the husband/brother-in-law/father-in-law who actually manage the show. This is also the experience with intermediate and district panchayats

17. G P Planning..
Nobody listens to us…!!!

18. Difficulties
Empowerment to Women Representatives , yet to take a decisive shape .Yet to find voice. Exceptions can not be rule
Though village level planning is now much talked-about , most of the PRI representatives are not adequately aware of the planning process- how to begin, how to end, what is to be included/ what are the key areas. Plan is a vision.
In other words, they are not properly trained about the planning process/procedure
Inadequate funds at GP level (direct)
Under FC grants, so far it is 4.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs per GP per annum on an average : Insufficient

19. Difficulties
Devolution of Powers , mostly basic supervision of services at GP level need to be more elaborate and reinforced with personnel to assist the Panchayat. Present mechanism is merely cosmetic and not detailed
Devolution of functions without adequate funds is no devolution
The GP personnel : Sarpanch assisted by a lone Executive Officer who is the only regular employee with him/her and perhaps the only Employee in GP.. Devolution without functionaries
GPTA is still posted at P Samiti headquarters

20. Difficulties
Most of the funds available with a GP are tied and therefore (local) area-specific, need-based planning ruled out.
Most of the GPs have no income or pretty small income of their own. Some have orchards, tanks, market sheds, haats and some have absolutely no resources
Resource creation/mgt. at the level of GP is hardly given any importance though it is crucial. Alms giving can not be sustained in the long run
Little Awareness on PESA. State Rules yet to come

21. Fund Crunch
Give us more…

22. There is a silver lining at last
The FC has recommended that GPs should be directly funded and a substantial portion of the funds shall remain untied, so that GPs can have their independent planning as per local requirements. There is no Top-Down Approach
As estimated, beginning with this fin. Year ( ) each GP will be receiving at least 45 lakhs per annum. And this is also right time to familiarise the PRI representatives with the ABC of planning

23. HIWARE BAZAAR is not a Myth
HIWARE BAZAAR is not a Myth. And that is going to happen with so many GPs of Odisha , if only we perceive the bottlenecks, understand things in proper perspective and give our collective efforts for the development.
We can not neglect our ROOTS

24. And this is POSSIBLE