In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, 'Panchayats' and 'Samitis' have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.

The Intended Role of Panchayats and Samitis

The core objective behind establishing Panchayats and Samitis was to decentralize power, promote grassroots democracy, and ensure responsive governance. They were assigned functions outlined in the Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules of the Constitution, encompassing areas like agriculture, land improvement, irrigation, water supply, health, sanitation, education, and social welfare. The expectation was that these bodies would empower local communities, enhance accountability, and improve the delivery of public services.

Challenges Hindering Effective Governance

Financial Constraints

A major impediment is the inadequate financial devolution to Panchayats and Samitis. They remain heavily reliant on state government funding, limiting their autonomy and ability to implement independent initiatives. According to the 15th Finance Commission (2020-26), the share of states’ own tax revenue devolved to local bodies remains insufficient.

Lack of Capacity Building

Many elected representatives and officials at the local level lack the necessary skills and training in areas like financial management, planning, and implementation of development programs. This hinders their ability to effectively utilize resources and deliver quality services.

Political Interference & Dominance

Panchayats and Samitis are often susceptible to political interference from state-level politicians and bureaucrats. This can manifest in the form of biased fund allocation, manipulation of election processes, and undermining of local decision-making. Furthermore, existing social hierarchies and power dynamics often lead to the dominance of certain groups, marginalizing the voices of vulnerable sections of society.

Weak Administrative Support

Insufficient administrative staff and inadequate infrastructure further hamper the functioning of Panchayats and Samitis. Many lack dedicated personnel for crucial functions like accounting, planning, and monitoring.

Limited Citizen Participation

Despite the emphasis on participatory democracy, citizen engagement in Panchayat and Samiti activities often remains limited. Factors like lack of awareness, social exclusion, and distrust in the system contribute to low levels of participation.

Panchayats and Samitis as Political Institutions

The challenges outlined above often result in Panchayats and Samitis functioning more as political institutions than effective governance bodies. Elections at the local level frequently become highly politicized, with state-level parties exerting significant influence. The focus often shifts from developmental priorities to securing political gains. This is exacerbated by the lack of strong regulatory mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.

Case of Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign

While Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign (1996-97) demonstrated the potential of decentralized planning and participatory governance, its sustainability was challenged by subsequent political shifts and resource constraints. This highlights the vulnerability of successful initiatives to political factors.

Feature	Ideal Scenario	Current Reality
Financial Autonomy	Significant devolution of funds from state taxes	Heavy reliance on state funding; limited autonomy
Capacity of Representatives	Well-trained and skilled elected representatives	Lack of adequate training and capacity building
Political Interference	Minimal interference from state-level politics	Significant interference and manipulation
Citizen Participation	High levels of active citizen engagement	Limited participation due to awareness and social barriers