This book explores experiences, issues and challenges which have emerged since Constitutional status was granted to the local bodies at grassroots level in India in the early 1990s. Among other issues, it focuses on: the contrasting political ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar on Panchayati Raj Institutions the legal and constitutional provisions which were introduced through the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts the devolution process, status and challenges of democracy for local governmental bodies empowerment of the women and lower castes through reservations in the local bodies governance in Schedule V and VI tribal areas Based on extensive fieldwork across India, this volume will be useful to scholars and researchers of political science, sociology, public administration as well as policymakers and civil society activists.

Offering new insights into the political economy of contemporary India, this book considers how and why unequal patterns of economic growth have taken shape within the context of a democratic and decentralising political system, and how this has impacted upon the processes of economic development.

This book explores experiences, issues and challenges which have emerged since Constitutional status was granted to the local bodies at grassroots level in India in the early 1990s. Among other issues, it focuses on: the contrasting political ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar on Panchayati Raj Institutions the legal and constitutional provisions which were introduced through the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts the devolution process, status and challenges of democracy for local governmental bodies empowerment of the women and lower castes through reservations in the local bodies governance in Schedule V and VI tribal areas Based on extensive fieldwork across India, this volume will be useful to scholars and researchers of political science, sociology, public administration as well as policymakers and civil society activists.

This book provides a vantage point of comparison, of the actual reality of decentralisation in India with Gandhi’s vision of decentralised democracy, or what he referred to as Gram Swaraj. It looks at the historical evolution of panchayats from ancient times to India’s independence, and critically discusses the developments after. It examines the functioning of the present Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the performances of urban local bodies. The basic thrust of this work is the need for constitutional reforms meant to strengthen and deepen democracy. The book will be useful to those in political studies, policy studies, public administration and development studies.

Kerala'S Development Experiments And Experiences Are Of Profound Significance Throughout The Globe. This Handy Volume Is A Collection Of Twelve Papers Which Deals With Hetrogeneous Topics Ranging From Panchayati Raj, Municipal Administration, Financial Administration, Electoral Politics And Politics Of Development. These Papers Will Help To Throw Light On The Transformation Of The State Polity During The Recent Past. Papers Can Be Broadly Categorised Under Three Major Captions Politics Of Democracy, Decentralisation And Development. The Focus Of Attention In The First Five Chapters Is On The Inestimable Impact Of The Modern Political Forces Political Parties, Interest Groups And Pressure Groups On Kerala Polity. Special Attention Is Paid To Assess And Evaluate The Electoral Process, Voting Behaviour, Participation Of Women And Weaker Sections In Its Dynamism. Chapters Six To Eleven Depict On The Origin, Growth And Performance Of The Civic Bodies Both Rural And Urban On Kerala. This Part Is Of Paramount Importance Because Of The Adoption Of The 73Rd And 74Th Constitution Amendment Acts By The Centre And Its Ratification By The State. The Central Theme Of Discussion In The Concluding Chapter Is To Evaluate The Various Developmental Measures Carried Out By The State For The Upliftment Of Weaker Sections Of Kerala.