This book explores experiences, issues and challenges which have emerged since Constitutional status was granted to the local bodies at grassroots level in India in the early 1990s. Among other issues, it focuses on: the contrasting political ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar on Panchayati Raj Institutions the legal and constitutional provisions which were introduced through the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts the devolution process, status and challenges of democracy for local governmental bodies empowerment of the women and lower castes through reservations in the local bodies governance in Schedule V and VI tribal areas Based on extensive fieldwork across India, this volume will be useful to scholars and researchers of political science, sociology, public administration as well as policymakers and civil society activists.

This book explores experiences, issues and challenges which have emerged since Constitutional status was granted to the local bodies at grassroots level in India in the early 1990s. Among other issues, it focuses on: the contrasting political ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar on Panchayati Raj Institutions the legal and constitutional prov

India's Panchayati Raj institutions are constitutional bodies that have been providing space for communities to identify their needs, resources, planning, implementation, and monitoring. These village councils also assist in the political empowerment of the lower castes, tribals, and women. Interestingly, after India's constitutional amendments for the decentralization of governance, some of the states, like Kerala, and many Gram Panchayats in different parts of the country, have excelled in terms of human and social development. When the experiences of these panchayats are examined, it is revealed that this has been happening because of: the participatory planning from the below, devolution of funds, functions and functionaries, self-generation and productive usage of the resources, and effective participation of the community. This book, which is a compilation of the model Gram Panchayats from different parts of the country, can be used as an excellent guide for spreading the message to build further model panchayats within India.