New Panchayati Raj in Action

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act brought far reaching changes in existing Panchayati Raj Institutions. Now they have got a constitutional status and new hopes and aspirations have been generated among the rural masses of having the power to govern themselves. The present volume is based on the new experiment with Panchayati Raj in Madhya Pradesh as it was the first state to bring all the three ties in action. After giving introductory background the study depicts the genesis of Panchayati Raj Institutions, their present position and the futuristic trends. Subsequently it analyses the functioning of New Panchayati Raj in Madhya Pradesh and attempts to measure the success or failure of the system on various empirical parameters. The finding and recommendation of the present volume will help the policy planners and people’s representatives to shape the things in proper perspective for the effective functioning of Panchayati Raj in near future. Though the analysis of facts and finding are of micro nature but keeping in view the total picture of the country, these may be applicable at the macro level. A useful book for policy planners, administrators, academicians, researchers and to all those connected with the Panchayati Raj System throughout the country.

Prof. S.N. Mishra (b. 1942) an established author of repute is Professor of Development Studies at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi for the last fifteen years. He had taught Political Science at Magadh University, Bodh –Gaya, Bihar, for sixteen years. Prof. Mishra, a prolific writer has to his credit about two dozen books and more than two hundred research papers published in reputed journals and edited volumes both in India and abroad. Prof. Mishra’s academic interest areas are Indian Political System, Development Administration, Democratic Decentralization, Rural Development and Local Self-Government. A devoted researcher, Prof. Mishra is presently working on two projects on Decentralized Planning. Lokesh Kumar (b. 1966) is Assistant Professor of Political Science, Government College of Arts and Commerce Lakhnadon, (M.P.). Formerly, he was a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. He has done his studies from university of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. At present he is doing Ph.D. from J.N.U., New Delhi. Chaitali Pal (b. 1971) has done her studies from University of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh University and Indira Gandhi National Open University. She is doing her Ph.D. from Jamia Millia Islamia. At present she is a Research Associate in Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.