Facilitating local participation through rural Panchayats in India

Since Independence in 1947 and its growth as a democracy, India has increasingly moved towards decentralisation of government and the use of participatory approaches at the local level. Central to decentralisation is the Panchayat Raj Institution (PRIs), which despite being firmly established must still overcome resistance from bureaucrats fearing loss of power and apathy among communities due to casteism. This paper examines the approaches of two Indian communities towards local services planning and delivery. One community makes full use of involving all stakeholders in participatory approaches in planning and implementing services. The second observes the more traditional approach of having leaders make all the decisions and passivity among the community. The first community is undergoing an empowerment process, which has meant that partnerships established with local administrations, government bureaucracies and voluntary development organisations have strengthened and been the cause for further action.