Janpratinidhi Dainik

  The erstwhile state of Punjab was historically bifurcated into three distinct states: Punjab, Haryana (1966), and Himachal Pradesh (1971). Since then, significant socio-economic changes have transformed this region. Over three decades ago, the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) mandated that Panchayats be established and nourished as effective, self-governing institutions. Today, these three states are governed by three different major political parties (INC, AAP, and BJP). This provides a unique opportunity to compare their actual political will to empower rural local governments. Have these institutions truly become autonomous hubs of decentralized planning and development? Let us look at the grassroots evidence. Measuring the Health of Panchayats (2024 Study) To assess the reality of power devolution, we turn to the 2024 study, ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States’ , conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) for the Ministry of Panchayati ...

  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not only one of India’s greatest parliamentarians and constitutional experts but also a relentless crusader for Dalits. His views on the Panchayati Raj system were profoundly complex and shaped by his understanding of India's rural social dynamics. While he fiercely opposed the inclusion of Village Panchayats in the Constitution in 1948, he had previously spoken in favor of them in 1932—under one strict condition. Understanding Dr. Ambedkar's evolving stance provides crucial insight into the current state of local governance and Dalit participation in India. The 1948 Stance: The Village as a "Sink of Localism" On November 4, 1948, during the Constituent Assembly debates, Dr. Ambedkar made a blistering critique of the Indian village. Quoting Metcalfe on how village communities survived centuries of invasions merely on a "selfish level," Dr. Ambedkar questioned the pride placed in them. He famously argued against those championing villa...

  In 1948, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar famously questioned whether the Indian village was anything more than a "sink of localism, a den of ignorance, narrow-mindedness and communalism" . More than half a century later—and a decade after the 73rd Amendment aimed to turn panchayats into inclusive institutions of self-government—how much has truly changed ? To understand the ground reality, the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) organized a workshop with 188 Dalit women elected representatives (ERs) across Haryana . Their testimonies revealed the harsh realities of caste, patriarchy, and the immense hurdles they face in decentralized governance . The Ground Reality: Hurdles for Dalit Women Sarpanches 1. Illiteracy and Lack of Awareness Many women ERs lack critical awareness regarding their legal powers, functions, and the specific developmental schemes meant for their communities . Most were only familiar with basic housing or grain...

  It has been more than 30 years since the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1993 was enacted, designed to transform Panchayats into vibrant institutions of self-government. Ideally, these rural bodies should operate as autonomous entities with clearly defined functions, adequate funds, and sufficient functionaries. However, a closer assessment reveals a sobering reality: most Panchayats remain severely malnourished and lack the authority required to address grassroots issues. While states like Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu offer a silver lining, the overarching national picture of power devolution remains deeply flawed. Measuring the Health of Panchayats (2024 Study) To evaluate how well these institutions have been empowered, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (Government of India) commissioned the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in 2024 to study the Status of Devolution to Panchayats . The study measured the "health" of Panchayats using a Composite Devo...