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. In reflecting on the role that NGOs can play in these new institutions of representative government, the author argues that NGOs can have comfortable and fruitful partnerships with the institutions of government, and that NGO support to Panchayats is vital in this process of reinvigorating grassroots governance. The second part of the report focuses on a summary of a one and a half day long discussion between NGO staff active in strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions, present or former government officials and Ford Foundation staff. Discussion centered around Panchayati Raj Institutions in their present administrative structure, availability of resources, participatory micro planning, NGOs' involvement and access to information, among others.