|
When the
Indian Constitution was amended for granting necessary powers
to Gram Panchayats (Village Councils) for decentralized
planning and administration of development programmes,
including education, the Institute decided to find out how far
the Gram Panchayats were ready to undertake this task and what
measures would mobilize the rural communities to undertake
decentralized planning and management of local development.
The study covered 119 Gram Panchayats from three types of
agro-climatic areas: rain-fed, drought-prone and irrigated.
Meetings of Panchayat representatives were held for
organizing mobilizational activities. Each panchayat prepared
four local maps showing natural resources, institutions like
schools, co-operatives which could help the project and
participate in micro-planning, status of health in the
Panchayat area, and educational facilities. Training
programmes were held for preparing the maps and outlining
development plans for each Panchayat. |
