Study with special reference to Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu, India.

Contents: Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Rural Development: A Management Study, Rural Development Through Primary Education under Panchayati Raj System: A Case Study of Jayapur Panchayat, Panchayati Raj Institutions in Orissa: Issues and Challenges, Panchayati Raj Institutions Issues and Challenges, An Alley on Panchayati Raj, Panchaytai Raj Institutions and Tribal Development, Revitalisation of Panchayats, Indira Awas and PRI (Housing for Rural Poor), Role of PRIS in Implementing Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (REGS), Orissa Grama Panchayat Act: A Milestone for Family Discipline, Peoples Participation in Panchayat Raj Governance through Gram Sabha.

Rural Transformation undergoes a metamorphosis after the introduction of new governance at grassroots through the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India. Newly created institutions for governance have teething problems and yet they picked up momentum in their dynamics. New concientization takes place in the minds of the people about their role and responsibility and feverish socio-economic activities have been initiated by the institutions and a new kind of relationship has been established between the State Government and the grassroots institutions as established between the Central Government and State Government. Problems which had not been so far noticed have come to the surface while deepening democracy in the society. A new participatory culture comes to governance at the grassroots and thereby it indicates that it would move towards the other realm of governance. Variety of institutions both evolved and imposed over a period of time have come to synergise their activities for effective delivery of services. Thus it seems the concept ‘governance’ provides a new meaning and explanation as activities are centering around people by relegating the concept government to the background. It does not mean that the process is smooth and positive. Decentralization process has its own obstacles as it breaks many hurdles. Strategies have been evolved then and there to overcome such obstacles and barriers and it moves towards the people to empower them. The whole process of the transformation has been captured in this work from the experience of the provinces. Key issues have been highlighted for further understanding of the dynamics of village voice. This volume provides statewise outlook of the devolution of powers. It aims at providing analysis of the performance of the institutions interms of the powers assigned to them.

"Functioning of Panchayat Raj in India has been a matter of debate and speculation about its performance and impact. In almost all states, two or three rounds of elections for panchayats have been completed. The sizeable presence of underprivileged and poor in the grassroots political institutions is a landmark development in the rural politics of the country. This is also a matter of serious debate as to how this excluded lot after their inclusion in active politics at grassroots would effectively tackle local power equation and set the agenda for development. The responses of state governments to the implementation of Panchayat Raj varied significantly and it is very difficult to generalise about this issue on the basis of their functioning for the last one decade or so. A perusal of functioning of Panchayat Raj puts forward a mix scenario with enough evidences of positive movements and several hurdles, nevertheless a hope for the best can be expected at this juncture.This book is divided into six sub-themes, viz., Structure and Functioning of PRIs, Marginalised Sections and their Participation, Institutional Mechanism and Grassroots Decision-Making, Natural Resource Management and PRIs, NGOs, Panchayats and Capacity-Building Initiatives and Decentralised Planning and Finance. It will interest a wide range of readers, including researchers, bureaucrats, policy makers, planners and those concerned with the plight of tribals."

This book establishes a link between the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. Panchayati Raj being people-centric institutions promotes quality of life of the people living in the rural areas. India is a home of villages where a large chunk of population lives whereas Panchayati Raj is a hearth of governance and development in rural areas. Government has assigned developmental tasks to Panchayati Raj bodies by involving people and their representatives. The goal of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Development Schemes are interlined which focus on resolving issues of the people and take care of development. Government of India, through its legislations, empowers elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to share their responsibilities in developmental process and promotes services to the local people. This book covers strategy and evolution of Panchayati Raj system and effectiveness of centrally sponsored schemes. This book is useful for the functionaries of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, students of Political Science, Rural Development Management, Scholars of M.Phil., & Ph.D., Development Agents, Social Activists, Students of different competitive examinations, etc. This book comprises important themes of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development which fulfills expectation of the readers.

With reference to Tamil Nadu, India.

Study conducted in Samastīpur District of Bihar, India.

Contributed articles.

"Panchayati Raj, as a system of governance at the grass roots level in rural India, has been rightly conceived as the most viable and proper mechanism of realizing the goals of democracy and decentralization. The current debate is not on its desirability but on strengthening it by identifying its weaknesses and taking care of the lacunae which are still there in spite of its constitutionalization through the historical 73rd Constitution Amendment Act. Likewise, empowerment of women and weaker sections, through a well-devised system of reservation, has not only brought about a change in the socio-political culture of these sections of society but has also led to a virtual transformation of the rural scene where people have increasingly become aware of their rights and have started demanding their share in power. In fact, rural India today has become the embodiment of a new revolution which seeks to provide direction to the polity thereby making democracy and decentralization vibrant and feasible for those who deserve it ."