PANCHAYATI RAJ, PARTICIPATION AND DECENTRALIZATION

Perhaps the most significant characteristic of India’s parliamentary democracy is its vigorous grassroots structure. Local level participatory and democratic institutions, sprawling throughout the country, have not only brought authenticity to the democratic spirit, but have also made the whole process of governance increasingly effective and responsive. More particularly, after the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian Constitution, the decentralized governance framework has introduced a new dynamism into the overall process of participatory democracy. Even though the constitutional amendments have not been implemented in totality, yet the process of democratization has become irreversible and it can be hoped, therefore, that in years to come, India could boast of a vibrant responsible democracy, the tentacles of which would reach every community, group and territory of the country.

The present anthology discusses some of the most significant and critical issues pertaining to the impact of Panchayati Raj Institutions, the framework of participatory democracy and the design of decentralized governance in India. Throughout the volume, the emphasis is on highlighting some of the more prominent features of India’s participatory democracy and on a few noticeable lacunae that need to be overcome through institutional devices. The volume is descriptive, empirical and instrumental in its perspective and will be of enormous utility to students, teachers and policy-makers interested in the crucial problem areas of governance at the grass-roots level.

Ramesh K. Arora has had his higher education at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA from where he obtained his Masters and Ph.D. He was also Senior Fulbright Fellow at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University (N.Y.). He has been Professor, Head and Dean in the University of Rajasthan. Presently, he is Visiting Professor, HCM Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration and Chairman, Management Development Academy, Jaipur. An author/editor of more than forty books, Dr. Arora is also the Editor of “Prashasnika and Administrative Change.”

Meenakshi Hooja is presently Principal Secretary to H.E. the Governor of Rajasthan, having served Government of India and Government of Rajasthan for over 30 years as an IAS officer.

She has been Senior Fellow at Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford (UK). From 2002 to 2006 she was member International Editorial Board of “Global Dialogue on Federalism in the 21st Century” being coordinated by Forum of Federations, Canada.

She has a flair for writing and has published articles on varied subjects such as Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Civil Service Reforms, etc. including the book “Policies and Strategies for Tribal Development.” She also writes poetry in Hindi and English and has authored two books of Hindi verse.