Non-governmental organisations and panchayati raj
The author of this report visited 12 project sites in India where participatory bottom-up planning processes were initiated by local NGOs in collaboration and partnership with local communities and Panchayati Raj Institutions. The first part of the report raises questions on this process, emphasizing that if 'local self-government' is to be fulfilled as a democratic ideal, then the elected bodies have to be given encompassing responsibility over local matters and be held accountable for these matters by their voters.