Seminar on strengthening Panchayat Raj Institutions

Eminent speakers attended the inaugural session of the conference- ‘Rejuvenating Panchayat Raj Institutions for a Celebrated Rural Development’- jointly organised by Prakasam Institute of Development Studies Trust (PIDS-T) and Railway Degree College on Saturday. T Sriram, General Secretary, PIDS-T in his welcome address discussed about the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their role in development of the nation.

Dr P Mohan Rao, Associate Professor, Dept of Public Administration, Railway Degree College while presenting the theme paper, explained the various changes Panchayat Raj system had undergone including the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. He explained that the objectives of the seminar was to explore the ways and means of making our grass root level democratic institutions more effective and the pivotal role to be played by PRIs to come out with suggestions for a dynamic third tier of Government of India.

Dr D V Nalini Devi, Principal, Railway Degree College, in her address expressed that though due importance was not given under the constitution to PRIs, states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra showcased their relevance. She lamented that their powers were being misused by the politicians for building vote banks. She also made it clear that the PRIs have become delivery agents of state and central government projects. She observed that unless knowledge bodies were established and more people participate in PRIs, it would become ineffective.

K Chandramouli, IAS (Retd), who was the chief guest, expected more energy and powers to be given to PRIs. He said that there were two power centres: one were the MPs and MLAs and the other in Zilla Parishads and village panchayats. He said that local panchayats were never allowed to function effectively by local MLAs as it would result in the erosion of their powers. Chandramouli requested that the PRIs should function in a clean, competent and able administration. He also said that though Rs 8 lakh crore was allotted in the budget for rural development, the villages remained undeveloped.

The Chairperson, Prof Ravinder Kaur, Head, Department of Public Administration in her closing remarks expected civil society organisations and non-government organisations to play an important role for energising the present PRIs. She felt that though 73rd Constitutional Amendment had given constitutional status to PRIs, the act was silent in explaining the relation between bureaucrats and local bodies and the specific grounds for dissolution of Panchayat Raj Institutions.