Challenge - 119

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandated the establishment of elected local bodies at the village, intermediate (block or taluka), and district levels to govern rural areas. It enabled the LGIs with the power and authority to function as 'units of self-government', though with varying levels of initiative, drive, interest, intensity and diversity of operations in practice.

The Panchayat Raj System was introduced in India to address the challenges of rural development, promote participatory democracy, and empower local communities.

Significance of PRI:

Decentralization of Power Community Empowerment Rural Development.

Social Inclusion and Equity: marginalized groups - opportunities to participate in local governance.

Accountability and Transparency: PRIs are accountable to the people they serve, fostering transparency and accountability in local governance.

Capacity Building and Empowerment: through training programs, workshops, and support mechanisms.

Role in Democratic Governance: PRIs serve as laboratories of democracy, where citizens actively participate in decision-making, debate issues, and hold their representatives accountable. The Panchayati Raj system strengthens the democratic fabric of India by fostering political awareness, civic engagement, and democratic values at the grassroots level.

Sustainable Development: By involving local communities in planning and implementing development initiatives, the Panchayati Raj system promotes sustainable and inclusive rural development. It ensures that development efforts are aligned with local priorities, resources are utilized efficiently, and the benefits of development reach those who need them the most.

The Gram Panchayats are mandated under the Constitution of India to plan and implement schemes for economic development and social justice in respect of 29 subjects mentioned in schedule XI of the Constitution. Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities. Physical structures include Roads, Culverts, buildings and other infrastructure and the organizational structures include transportation systems, communication networks, and healthcare facilities. It is crucial to provide basic infrastructure in villages to promote overall development and progress of society.

Mainstreaming Youth in Local Governance ‘refers to the activities for empowering youth to play an active role in Grama Sabha and other participatory structures at the local level, equipping them to make active contributions in the functions of Local Government and other local institutions, giving them a space and responsible positions in different committees and other decision making forums, and equipping them with personal and social skills to function as change agents in the society’ (RGNIYD, 2013). In operational terms, ‘Mainstreaming’ indicates ‘Engage, Enable, Ensure and Empower’ the target population in the development programmes, projects and other activities.

Youth organizations, both political and non-political, could play a crucial role of recruiting able youth to the development politics of local government system. In addition to extending support to the Local Governments in its functioning, youth can also become the 'Change Agents' aimed at bringing ‘Good Governance at the Grassroots’ (Gireesan, 2013).

Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a global blueprint for sustainability and are endorsed by the Government of India under the UN's 2030 agenda. Collaborating with NITI Aayog, Central Ministries, State Governments, UN agencies, and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), India aims to achieve the 17 Goals and 169 targets by 2030. Recognizing the crucial role of Panchayats in governance, efforts are made to focus on Localised Sustainable Development Goals.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj has initiated thematic approach to planning through aggregating 17 SDG goals into 9 broad themes for localization of SDGs at grass-root level and their attainment through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders of these 9 themes. Thematic LSDGs taken by MoPR to the entire country in a continuous systematic manner, the capacity building and workshops, Panchayat Development Index and GPDP being aligned to the LSDG Themes , presenting the indicators in the GPDP as data for evidence based planning, aligning the National Panchayat Awards to the 9 Themes.

A Study Report: Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development has conducted a study of Asrang Gram Panchayat, Kannaur District, Himachal Pradesh in 2017. The study revealed that:

Educational Dimensions: Concerns, Issues and problems –

Education gained by the youth is perceived to be not enough to make them competitive in job market.

Medium of communication and standard of education leads to demoralization in job market. In most places, English language is preferred during interviews. Lack of fluency in spoken English minimizes their chances in getting better jobs. • Lack of information about career options and opportunities in the school/ college is noted.

Lack of adequate number and efficient teachers in the schools, especially at the primary level, has been noted in the area. It is an important issue of the educational system.

Lack of facilities and encouragement in sports and other extracurricular activities also minimizes their opportunity to play at the state level and national level sports though they are more capable physically. Even they miss employment opportunities on the basis of sports quota.

Poor families lack funds for providing proper education to their children.

Mis-utilization of funds provided for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan has also been observed. Seminars are being held and speakers from outside are invited for lectures which are not of much benefit to the students in the village.

Outmigration in search of good education and job is observed among youth especially in the age group of 13-20 years. • Extinction of local/indigenous knowledge, literature, folklore, language as a result of outmigration is also a matter of concern among the youth.

Social Dimensions: Concerns, Issues and Problems –

Female education is highly neglected, and girls are mostly sent to school till primary level.

Though not in large numbers, child marriage is prevalent among illiterate families.

Lack of female education, marriage at an early age, and superstitions create an adverse impact on the maternal and child health in the region.

Lack of proper medical facilities has often led to mortality of mother and child.

Consumption of liquor on regular basis among the youth is leading to misutilization of human resources. Alcoholism, to some extent, results in domestic violence in number of households in the area.

Alcoholism among the youth has degraded the work culture in the region, and indirectly influenced the agricultural, socio-economic and cultural milieu.

Social discrimination because of casteism is highly prevalent in the area. The ST population in the region consider themselves as Rajputs and often treats the SC population in a derogatory manner.

Casteism deprives people from participation in local governance and socio-cultural activities organized in the area.

Economic Dimensions: Concerns, Issues and Problems –

The inflation in cost of agricultural inputs has collectively taken a toll on the economic conditions of the people especially among the marginalized sections.

Lack of proper market information system and undesirable interference of middle men for selling their products cause economic loss to the apple growers.

Lack of marketing facilities for handicrafts, woven shawls, traditional jewellery and wood-work has deprived the villagers from alternate livelihoods.

Unavailability of improved variety and drought-resistant seeds, sprinkler irrigation, alternative agricultural practices hinders production and limits incomes.

Outmigration in search of alternate livelihoods is also hampering the agricultural sector. Younger generation does not take interest in agriculture which is also diminishing the income from this sector in number of households.

Alternative livelihood options are less. Small business initiatives like running dhaba/hotel, automobile shops, etc. are not flourishing here.
Political Dimensions: Concerns, Issues and Problems –

Prevalence of corruption at different levels has led to misuse of funds and have tarnished the image of politicians. Hence most of the youth do not want to be directly involved in political affairs.

Youth of age 13-17 years do not attend the gram sabha and political meetings and rallies, even though their inputs are significant to take appropriate decisions in certain development activities.

False promises by politicians discourage involvement of youth in the political arena.

Politicians visit the village only during elections to ask for votes. Due to sparse population and small size of voters, investments in developmental activities are low.

Cultural Dimensions: Concerns, Issues and Problems –

Television has captured the arena of entertainment significantly. As a result, the local festivals, melas and events are vanishing from the scene. Local folklore, songs, stories and cuisine are also disappearing at a fast pace. Transfer of these traditional aspects from one generation to other is becoming weak, which is an important matter of concern.

Lot of traditional practices during wedding or other socio-cultural occasions have been influenced as a result of western and external influence. The younger generation has been losing their touch with their culture and history.

There has been loss in the traditional knowledge and practices in weaving, handicraft, carpentry, etc. If this situation persists, they would disappear in the future.

This study reflects the status of every village in the country as a whole. As we can see from the Study report that the villages are under the grip of several issues – under-development, lack of infrastructure, lack of basic education, drinking water, hospitals, roads; underutilization of youth potential; lack of basic skills among the youth; demoralized youth; addiction among the youth; poor participation of youth and the people in the Gram Sabha; migration; superstitions; child marriages; losing touch with the culture and history; and so on and so forth.

Thus, though the Constitution envisages the all-round development of the villages, it has not happened to the desired extent.

Hence, the Justice Movement of India took up this Challenge-119. Out of 12,777 gram panchayats in the State of Telangana, 119 gram panchayats are taken up to make them as the model gram panchayats during their 5 year term in accordance with the spirit of Panchayat Raj Act and the Constitution. We believe that if a true leader is elected as the ‘Sarpanch’ of the Gram Panchayat, holistic development of the village is possible. The challenge before us is to produce ‘true leaders’ in these 119 villages, who are 1) committed to the ‘Vision – The Preamble of our Constitution’, 2) who stand on ‘Values’ and ‘Principles’ (integrity and character) and 3) whatever they do, it will align with the ‘Vision’ and the ’Values and Principles’. There is a trend in the villages that the elections mean ‘distribution of money and liquor’ and ‘buying and selling’. We challenge this status quo and commit to redefine the ‘political culture’ that has been perpetuated in our villages, as against the spirit of our Constitution.