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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PEOPLE PARTICIPATION: A CASE OF

VILLAGE PANCHAYAT IN TAMIL NADU
Article · October 2014
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IJMPAS Vol. 1, No. 1, Oct. 2014 www.ijmpas.org
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PEOPLE

PARTICIPATION: A CASE OF VILLAGE PANCHAYAT IN
TAMIL NADU
Dr. A. Ranjithkumar
Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University, India
Abstract
Since First and Second World War, entire world community had
faced administrative problem. Few states felt that public
administration does not give sound solution for administration
problem and community development could be need which helps
overall development of nations. General administration sifted into
new dimensions like new public administration, new public
management, comparative administrative, and development
administration and so on. Hence, Indian government had admitted
new dimensions like development administration and social
development is one among branches of development administration.
It this circumstance, Indian government felt that there is urgent need
of social development through people participation; hence 73rd and
74 constitutional amendments enacted which gave people
participation at grassroots levels. The present author feels that local
administration/Panchayat Raj system a much popularized and
deeply discussed all over the world in the recent years among the
public, politicians as well as bureaucratic. Every social problem
discusses on global or national levels but does not find any solution,
because lack people participation. Hence this study tries to
understand social development and people participation in rural
villages. Both primary and secondary data were been collected. The
present study aims at collecting the opinion of the people with
regard to the performance of village panchayat in the development
aspects.
Keywords: Social Development, People Participation, Community Development,
Rural Development, Village Panchayat,
Corresponding Author: ranjannmt@gmail.com
Property of International Journal of Management, Policy and Administrative Studies (IJMPAS) -101-
Introduction
The establishment of panchayat raj was seen by many as an effort to decentralize
power and to empower the ordinary citizen to make his own choices and decision in
local affairs and matters affecting his daily life. The local self governments, panchayat
raj system, as they were called were ancient institutions and were themselves small
republics. They exercised powers in various spheres such as industrial, commercial,
administrative and social, including civic education and religious functions. A feature
of these institutions was that they were largely self governing although their social
background was characterized by a rigid social structure. It is now widely accepted
that self-governing institutions at the local level are essential for national growth and
for effective people’s participation and they are an integral and indispensable part of
the democratic process.
The present global trend in democratic governance is democratic decentralization and
strengthening of the local self-governments as strong grass root levels democratic
institutions. Such institutions with appropriate safeguards for weaker sections fulfill
the aspirations of wider section the public. They provide opportunities for their own
governance and effective delivery mechanism for poverty alleviation and rural
development, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and gender. These are the best
agencies to facilitate the process of decentralized planning. The process of socio-
economic development in rural areas gets priority focus by channeling the resources
and development efforts to meet the community needs as per their own priorities.
Local government may be loosely defined as a public organization authorized to

decide and administer a limited range of public policies within a relatively small
territory which is a sub-division or a regional or national government. Local
government is at the bottom of the pyramid of government institutions, with the
national government at the top and intermediate governments (state, regional,
provincial) occupying the middle range. Normally, local government has general
jurisdiction and is not confined to the performance of one specific function or service.
In panchayat, two type of people directly participation, first the elected representatives
who are the public leaders and do not receive any salary or allowances for
contributing their time and talents to serve society. The second category of people is
the staff or panchayat such as Gram Panchayat Adhikari, cleark, chaukida, etc,.
Besides panchayat representatives and the staff, the involvement and cooperation of
several other people and organization is also sought by the panchayat. The success of
panchayat organization therefore depends on how effectively these people are
managed for execution and implementation of rural schemes. It is now widely
accepted that self-governing institutions at the local level are essential for national
growth and for affective people’s participation and that they are an integral and
indispensable part of the democratic process. Grass roots of democracy based on

small units of governments, enables people’s to feel a sense of responsibility and to
inculcate the values of democracy. At the same time it also offers a unique
opportunity to participate in public affairs, including development work.
Definition of Concepts
The study has used two concepts namely Social development and people participatin.
These concepts are defined in the following paragraphs.
The concept of development is acquired new connotations in contemporary era among
social societies, policy maker, development activists and politician. Development is a
continuously changing and dynamic concept. Since, the beginning of various
civilizations around the world it has been taking different shapes and dimensions.
Development is a complex phenomenon comprising many dimensions are social,
political, economic administrative and so on. We now speak of economic
development, political development, economic development, social development and
so on.
Thus social development emerging from the broad concept of development which is
integrates approach. Colm and Geiger said that “development means change plus
growth”. T.N Chaturvedi rightly pointed out that “development is a process which
stands for transformation of society”. “Development is a process of societal
transformation from a traditional society to a modern society, and such a
transformation is also known as modernization” said by Chi Yuen Wu. Development
can be archived thorough transformation of society and participant in administration.
R.K Sapru illustrated that “Development is a process of improving the well being of
the people. It is about raising the standard of living of the people, improving their
education and health, and also opening out to them new and equal opportunities for a
richer and more varied life”. Social development is a part of development. World
Bank rightly said that “social development focuses on the need to ‘put people first’ in
development processes. Poor people’s voices tell us that poverty is more than low
income – it is also about vulnerability, exclusion and isolation unaccountable
institutions, powerlessness, and aggravated exposure to violence” and also said that
“social development includes the poor and excluded in the development process and
translates the complex relationship between societies, states and communities into
operations”. It is observed that people participation must be need for social
development. The social development commitments that development processes need
to benefit people not only poor community and also inclusion of various excluded
communities.
People participation means that people are closely involved in the aspect of social,
economic, and cultural and political process in social and political system who can
participate either direct or indirect as individuals or groups. UNDP says that
“Participation means that people are closely involved in economic, social, cultural and
political process that affects their lives”. The government of India said that
participation is a process by which the beneficiaries influence the direction and
execution of a development programme to enhance prosperity in terms of income,
personal growth, self-reliance or other values that they cherish
One among the Indian state of Kerala is being executing participatory development
process which goes through a number of stages. These are; (i) Discussion on the
problems of development and identification of needs in gram sabha /ward committee
meetings. (ii) Sector-wise discussion on socio-economic indicators shown in
“Panchayat Development Report”, through development seminars. (iii) Constitution of
task force for all sectors in order to convert into action programmes, the solutions
suggested in the development seminars. (iv) Formulation of plans for the local bodies.
(v) Integration of local plans and formulation of block and district level plans. (vi)
Appraisal of technical feasibility and financial viability of the projects and plans
through Voluntary Technical Corps (VTCs).
Review of Related Literature

The previous study provides evidence as to what is familiar with what is already know
and what is still unknown and untested which helps to eliminate that of what has been
done and provides useful hypothesis and suggestions for significant investigations.
The literature have been collected, reviewed and discussed from various scholars.
These studies have concentrated on the extensive field of panchayat raj as well as over
all development of village. Following literature has been discussed. C.
Gnanaprakasam (1986) in his book entitled “Local Government in Tamil Nadu”.
This book deals with rural and urban local bodies in Tamil Nadu prior to the 73rd
constitution amendment act. The historical backgrounds of these institutions are traced
and status local body elections, reforms in local body elections, personnel
administration and function of panchayat have been extensively analyzed. Debal K.
SinghaRoy (2001) has edited a book on “Social Development and the Empowerment
of Marginalized Groups”. This study has been divided into eleven chapters. Author
looks alternative perspectives relating to social development and empowerment
together.
G. Palanithurai (1994) wrote an article on “Empowering People or Bureaucracy”. The

author has critically evaluated the main provisions of the panchayats act in terms of
the basic framework developed by the Indian government for devolution of power
through the 73rd amendment. People should have been given supervisory and control
power over the panchayat. It indicts the overriding power of the collector. It makes a
fervent plea for the change of such provision.
G. Palanithurai (1998) in his book entitled “Planning for Village Development”. It

indicates the essential conditions for effective involvement of the people and the
officials in the process of preparation of perspective plan. If explains the two way
process in this exercise. It should be both an annual and a five year integrated plan.
The article underlines the importance and implications of the process and pleas for
such an initiative.
G. Palanithurai (1998) “New panchayati Raj System in the Development Process”. In

this article, has explained the process of development at the present and indicated the
opportunity available for panchayati to make use of them for the benefit of the people.
Panchayati leaders should enhance their capacity and understand the process and take
initiatives at their level to tap these opportunities. Panchayat by its proactive function
poses a challenge to globalization.
S.P.Sing (2001) in his study on “Management of People by Gram Panchayati for

Rural Development” has explained the indicators of effective management of people
by gram pachayats for rural development. The study finds human resource
development, one of the most important indicators of people management, followed
by coordination and communication at local level, and people’s involvement and
participation in planning.
S.P. Singh (2002) has undertaken a study on “Hierarchy of Developmental Functions

of Gram Panchayati”. This study deals with maintenance of nature and human
resource inventory. One of the most important groups of development works of gram
panchayats. Next to it is human resource development which is followed by income
and employment generation, development of infrastructure, arrangement or productive
inputs and services, and development of agro-forestry and horticulture.
Geetinder Kaur (2003) in article “Political Dynamics of Panchayati Raj in India” has
explained that, a feature of Panchayati Raj institution was that they were largely self-
governing although their social background was characterized by the rigid social
structure. It is now widely accepted that self-governing institutions at the local level
are essential for nation growth and for effective people’s participation and they are an
integral and indispensable part of the democratic process.
It is observed that the study of people opinion on the performance by village

panchayat is not taken anyone and it is an unknown as well as new area for research.
Based on reviews, objectives have been generated.
Research Methods
The following Objectives are 1. To find out the socio-economic status of the people in
Village Panchayat, 2. To gather people's opinion on the performance of social
developmental function by the Village Panchayat. The samples of the study in drown
by using simple random sampling method and 237 samples were selected. In this
study both male and female respondents from the different age groups are included.
Tools for Data Collection

The interview schedule was prepared on the basis of the objectives of study. The
finalized interview schedule was administered among the respondents for gathering
relevant information from them. The data are collected through observation and
interview by the investigator. Collected data was tabulated and analyzed by
percentage techniques.
Sources of Data
The data that were gathered directly from the respondents formed the primary sources
of data. The secondary data related to the topic of the study were collected from the
various books, articles, and journal, internet and government records. The data
related the panchayat profile was collected from the office records of the Pancahyat.
The samples of the study in drown by using simple random sampling method. The
sample of the study is selected in 100 respondents. In this study both male and female
respondents from the different age groups are included. Unit of Study is Dindigul
district, Tamil Nadu. The Dindigul district consists of Revenue Villages 358, Blocks /
Panchayat Unions 14, Special Village Panchayats 24, and Panchayat Villages 306.
The investigator has formulated many simple tables, which are self-explanatory with
the data based on the objectives of the study.
Table 1: Details of DINDIGUL DISTRICT

No. of Total SC ST
Sl. No. Panchayat Union
Village Population Population Population
1 Dindigul 14 151204 38160 245
2 Athoor 22 107752 26602 105
3 Reddiarchattiram 24 102682 19307 252
4 Shanarpatti 21 123227 25647 20
5 Natham 23 133051 14609 34
6 Nilakottai 23 124478 40342 13
7 Vathalagundu 17 77449 22130 481
8 Palani 20 99024 32307 320
9 Ottanchattiram 35 106517 24731 151
10 Thoppampatti 38 108541 25879 33
11 Vedasandur 22 96379 16456 6
12 Vadamadurai 15 78859 15068 8
13 Guziliamparai 17 78231 18439 19
14 Kodaikanal 15 70018 14387 2893
Total 306 1457412 334064 4580
Source: Census of India 2011, Directorate of Census Operations Chennai, Tamilnadu
Table 2: Distribution of Respondents Based on their social Sex

Social No. Of % of
Sl. No
Category Respondents Respondents
1 Male 54 54
2 Female 46 46
Total 100 100
The data in the above table explains that, 54 per cent of the respondents are male and
the remaining 46 per cent of the respondents are female. From the above data it is
understood that the present study has taken majority of the male respondents for the
analysis.
Table 3: Age Wise Distribution of Respondents

Sl. No. of
Category % of Respondents
No Respondents
1 21-30 20 20
2 31-40 40 40
3 41-50 19 19
4 51-60 8 8
5 61-70 13 13
Total 100 100
The above table portrays that 20 per cent of the respondents are in the age group of 21
to 30 years, 40 per cent of the respondents are in the age group of 31 to 40 years, 19
per cent of the respondents are in the age group of 41 to 50 years, 8 per cent of
respondents are the age group in 51 to 60 years and 13 per cent of respondents are in
the age group of 61 to 70 years. It is fund that majority (60 per cent) of the
respondents fall in the age group of 21 to 40 years, and the remaining 40 per cent of
the respondents fall under 41 to 70 years.
Table 4: Distribution of Respondents Based on their Community

No. of % of
Sl. No Category
Respondents Respondents
1 SC 55 55
2 BC 30 30
3 MBC 15 15
Total 100 100
In this study 55 per cent of the respondents are SC peoples, 30 per cent of the
respondents are BC and 15 per cent of respondents are MBC. From the above table it
is concluded that representation is given to all community people while collecting
opinion about the performance of the village panchayats.
Table 5: Distribution of Respondents Based on their Religion
No. Of % Of
Sl.No Category
1 Hindu 74 74
2 Muslim 14 14
3 Christian 12 12
Total 100 100
The above table shows that 74 per cent of the respondents are Hindus, 14 per cent of
the respondents are Muslims and 12 per cent of the respondents are Christians. It is
understood from the above table that the study village has the population professing
different religion.
Table 6 : Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of their Educational

Qualifications
No. Of % Of
Sl. No Category
1 Illiteracy 8 8
2 Primary 34 34
3 Secondary 25 25
4 Higher
24 24
secondary
5 Higher
9 9
Education
Total 100 100
Based on the data in the above table, 8 per cent of the respondents are illiterates, 34
per cent of the respondents have primary level of education, 25 per cent of the
respondents have secondary level of education, 24 per cent of the respondents have
higher secondary level of education, and 9 per cent of the respondents have higher
education. It is found from the above table that 92 per cent of the respondents are
educated.
Table 7: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of their Occupation

No. Of % Of
Sl. No Category
1 Agriculture coolie 57 57
2 Agriculture 34 34
3 Government service 3 3
4 Others 6 6
Total 100 100
In this study, 57 per cent of the respondents are agricultural coolies, 34 per cent of the
respondents are looking after agriculture, 3 per cent of the respondents are in
government service, and 6 percent of the respondents are engaged in other works.
This table portrays that majority of the respondents are agricultural cooli and heir
income is very minimum.
Table 8 : Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of their Annual Income
No. of % of
Category
Sl.No Respondents Respondents
1 Up to Rs. 20,000 66 66
2 Rs. 20,001 to 40,000 22 22
3 Rs. 40,001 to 60,000 6 6
4 Rs. 60,001 to 80,000 5 5
5 Rs. 80,001 and above 1 1
Total 100 100
The above table shows that 1 per cent of the respondent belong to the annual income
group of above Rs.80, 001, 5 per cent of the respondent belong to the annual income
group of Rs. 60,001 to 80,000, 6 per cent of the respondents belong to the income
group Rs. 40,001 to Rs. 60,000, 22 per cent belong to the income group Rs. 20,001 to
Rs. 40,000, and 66 per cent belong to the income group up to Rs. 20,000, per annum.
This table reveals that majority of the respondents are not having adequate annual
income to meet the basic needs of their life.
Table 9: Distribution of Respondents Based on their Type of Family.

Sl. No. of % of
Category
No Respondents Respondents
1 Joint family 19 19
2 Nuclear family 81 81
Total 100 100
The table shows that only 19 per cent of the respondents adopt joint family system,
and the remaining 81 per cent of the respondents adopt nuclear family system. The
above table illustrates that 81 per cent of the respondents live in nuclear families.
Table 10: Distribution of Respondents Based on the Nature of House

Sl. No. of % of
Category
No Respondents Respondents
1 Own houses 94 94
2 Rented houses 6 6
Total 100 100
The above table shows that 94 per cent of the respondents are living in their own
houses and only 6 per cent of the respondents are living in rented houses. It is crystal
that 94 per cent of the respondents have own houses according to their economic
status.
Table 11: Distribution of Respondents Based on the their Type of House

No. of % of
Sl. No Category
1 Hut 69 69
2 Tiled 27 27
3 Terraced 4 4
Total 100 100
The data in the above table explains that 69 per cent of the respondents are living in
huts, 27 per cent of the respondents are living in tiled house, and the remaining 4 per
cent are living in terraced houses. The above table illustrates that 69 percent of the
respondents living in huts.
Table 12: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Panchayat in the Basis of Basic Amenities
Total
No. of Respondent Per
S/N Basic amenities centage
No % Bad % Fair % Good % 100
1 Road facilities 26 26 16 16 52 52 6 6 100
2 Lighting of public 19 19 18 18 56 56 7 7 100
places
3 Cleaning of streets 31 31 13 13 52 52 4 4 100
4 Maintenances of
cremation and 20 20 20 20 57 57 3 3 100
buriral ground
5 Market 83 83 3 3 12 12 2 2 100
6 Fire wood 38 38 5 5 42 42 15 15 100
7 Ration shop - - 7 7 60 60 33 33 100
The data in the above table illuminates the performance of the panchayati regarding
the fulfillment of basic amenities. That 52 per cent of the respondents have opined that
the panchayati has fairly provided the road facilities 56 per cent of respondent
answered that the lighting of public places have been fairly done, 52 per cent of the
respondents have agreed that the cleaning of streets have been fairly done, regarding
the maintenance of buriral ground, 57 per cent of the respondents opined that it is
fairly done, 60 per cent and 42 per cent of the respondents answered the fair
implementation of Public Distribution System and fire wood provision each
respectively. But, 83 per cent of the respondents answered that the panchayat has not
taken away step to provide market facilities to them. Though the above table portrays
the fact that the fair performance of the panchayat regarding the provision of basic
amenities, and yet the panchayati has not taken serious steps to provide market
facilities to sell and purchase the goods by the villages, (83 per cent).

Panchayat on the Basis of Education
No. of Respondents Total
Sl.
Education No % Bad % Fair % Good % Percen
No
tage
1 Primary and
secondary - - 5 5 58 58 37 37 100
school
2 Adult &
Non- formal 32 32 14 14 46 46 8 8 100
education
3 Village
32 32 18 18 42 42 8 8 100
library
4 SSA - - - - 37 37 63 63 100
Above table demonstrate the people's opinion on the performance of functions by the
village panchayati on the basis of education. It includes Primary and Secondary
School, Adult & Non-formal education, library and SSA. The (63 percent) majority of
the respondents commended on SSA as good, (37 percent) commended primary and
secondary schools has been good. Similarly, most of the respondents (58 per cent)
agreed on primary and secondary school as fairly good and 46 per cent of the
respondents accepted that adult and non formal education is fairly done, 42 percent
opined on village library and SSA as fair. At the same time 32 per cent of the
respondents commended that there is no functioning of adult and non-formal
education and village library. Above analysis of the data reveals the good performance
of SSA and the fair performance of primary and secondary schools, Adult and non-
formal education and village library by the panchayat. The panchayat has yet to take
more initiative to promote the functioning of village library, Adult &Non-formal
education and the primary schools within its jurisdiction.
Table14: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Panchayat on the Basis of Health and Sanitation
Health No. Of Respondents Total
Sl.
and Per
No No % Bad % Fair % Good %
Sanitation centage
1 Drainage 46 46 20 20 31 31 3 3 100
2 Public
48 48 32 32 19 19 1 1 100
toilet
3 Primary
Health 48 48 4 4 44 44 4 4 100
center
4 Medical
- - 1 1 83 83 16 16 100
camp
The above table manifests the public opinion on work related to health and sanitation
carried out by panchayat such as drainage, public toilet, primary health center, and
medical camp. Majority of the respondents agreed on medical camp as fair (83 per
cent), and the functioning of primary health center and drainage have been fair by
31&44 per cent each, similarly, 46 and 48 per cent of the respondents opined that
there is no drainage facilities, public toilets and primary health center the panchayat.
The above analysis of the data reveals the non provision of the drainage facilities;
public toilet and primary health center, and also refers to the fair performance of
medical camps in the panchayat village.

Panchayat on the Basis of Social Welfare Programme
Social No. of respondents Total
Sl.
welfare Per
Programme centage
1 Professional
and job - - 12 12 71 71 17 17 100
training
2 Cultural
- - 3 3 10 10 87 87 100
activities
3 Family
- - 8 8 22 22 70 70 100
welfare
scheme
4 Women and
Childers 3 3 12 12 65 65 20 20 100
development
5 Child labours 100 100 - - - - - - 100
6 Dalit people
- - 62 62 28 28 10 10 100
development
The above table deals with public opinion on social welfare programmes carried out
by panchayat such as professional job training, cultural activities, family welfare
scheme, women and childern development, children's home, child labour and Dalit
people development. The majority of respondent commended on cultural activities as
good (87 per cent) and family welfare scheme have been good (70 per cent).
Similarly, the most of the respondents agreed on professional and job training as good
(71 per cent) and 65 percent of respondents commended on women and children
development as fair, and also opined on Dalit people's development as bad (62 per
cent). All the respondents pointed out that there is no practice of child labour in their
panchayat. The above analysis of the data reveals the good performance of cultural
activities and family walfare scheme by the panchayat. The very interesting finding is
that there is no practice of child labour. It is one of the better practices. The more
painful finding is that the Dalit people's development is left uncared.

Panchayat on the Basis of Village Development Programme
Sl. Village Welfare
Per
No Programme No % Bad % Fair % Good %
centage
1 Poverty alleviation
70 70 23 23 7 7 - - 100
progrmme
2 Public awareness
- - 8 8 89 89 3 3 100
programme
3 Youth clubs 32 32 45 45 21 21 2 2 100
4 Public welfare
2 2 29 29 68 68 1 1 100
scheme
5 Namadhu Gramam
- - - - 8 8 92 92 100
Thittam
Above the table 15 deals with the people's opinion village development programmes
carried out by panchayat such poverty alleviation programme, Namadhu Gramam
Thittam, Public awareness programme, youth clubs and public welfare scheme. The
majority (92 per cent) of the respondents agreed on Namadhu Gramam Thitham as
good, Public awareness programmes as fair (89 per cent), majority of respondents
commended on public welfare scheme as fair (68 per cent). As per the 45 per cent of
respondents opined the functioning of youth clubs as bad. Similarly, the most of the
respondents asserted that there is no trace of implementation to poverty alleviation
programmes. The above analysis of the data reveals the good performance on
Namadhu Gramam Thittam by the panchayat, the bad performance of youth clubs and
there is no proper implementation of poverty alleviation programmes in the panchayat
village.
Table 17: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions of the Village

Panchayat on the Basis of Agriculture
Sl.
Agriculture Per
centage
1 Agriculture
9 9 23 23 60 60 8 8 100
programmes
2 Water
83 83 17 17 - - - - 100
management
3 Social
- - 42 42 43 43 15 15 100
forestry
The above table 16 projected the people's opinion on agricultural activities carried out
by panchayat such as agricultural scheme, water management and social forestry.
Only very less number of respondents commended on social forestry as good (15 per
cent) and agriculture scheme as good (8 per cent). The majority of the respondents
agreed on agricultural scheme as fair (60 per cent) and 43 per cent of the respondent's
opined social forestry as fair. Similarly large majority (83 per cent) of the respondents
commended that, water management is not provided for this pancahayt. The above
analysis of the data concludes that there is no proper water management system in the
panchayat villages.

Panchayat on the Basis of Panchayat Activities.
Sl. Panchayat No. of Respondents Total
No Activities Per
No % Bad % Fair % Good %
centage
1 Maintenance
of public 52 52 28 28 20 20 - - 100
building
2 Maintenance
of public 63 68 28 28 7 7 2 2 100
property
3 Registration
of Birth and - - 2 2 11 11 87 87 100
Death
4 Peoples
32 32 53 53 12 12 3 3 100
demands
5 Maintenance
8 8 20 20 72 72 - - 100
of records
Above the data manifest the people's opinion on the performance of functions by the
village panchayat in the basis of panchayat activities. 52 per cent of the respondents
admitted that there is proper maintenance of public buildings, 60 per cent of
respondents agreed that there is no proper maintenance of the public property. The
majority of the respondents (87per cent) agreed that the registration of birth and death
is good. 53 percent of respondents opined that the people's demands are settled badly.
72 percent of the respondents accepted that the maintenance of panchayat office
records is a fairly done by the panchayat. The analysis of the above data reveals that
the maintenance of panchayat records and Registration of birth and death are done
very effectively by the panchayat.
Table 19: People's Opinion on the Performance of Village Panchayat on the

Basis of Conducting Gram Sabha Meeting
Sl.
Gram Sabha Per
centage
1 Conduction
gram sabha - - 9 9 11 11 80 80 100
meeting
2 People's
participation in 31 31 34 34 27 27 8 8 100
meeting
3 Selection of
11 11 72 72 17 17 - - 100
BPL list
4 People approval
14 14 30 30 8 8 48 48 100
for progrmme
5 Women's
participation in 13 13 17 17 5 5 65 65 100
the meeting
The data in the above table refers to the people’s opinion on the performance of
function by the village panchayat on conduction the gram sabha. 80 per cent of the
respondents agreed that the conduction the meeting of gram sabha is regular and good.
31 per cent of the respondents opined that there is no peoples participation, 34 per cent
of the respondents accepted that people's participation is bad. The 72 per cent of the
respondent opined that improper selection of BPL list. 65 per cent of the respondents
accepted the good participation of women in gram sabha meetings. Though the gram
sabha is a tool for village panchayat brings local peoples participation in village
governance, the panchayat has failed to achieve it.
Table 20: People's Opinion of Panchayat Role in Future Development

Total
Sl. No. of
Particulars Per
No Respondents
centage
1 Promotion Dalit participation 48 48
2 Promotion of government funds. 33 33
3 Bringing cooperation between people
19 19
and representatives
Total 100 100
The data in the above table explains that, 48 per cent of the respondents suggested that
the panchayat should take more care to promote Dalit's participation, 33 per cent of
the respondents opined the need to promote the government funds, and also 19 per
cent of respondents asserted that the panchayat must take all initiative to bring
cooperation between people and elected representatives (M.P., M.L.A, and panchayat
representative). The above table portrays the people’s opinion on the future functions
by the village panchayat to bring proper development in the panchayat.
Major Findings of the Study

The present study has taken majority (54 per cent) of the respondents are male.
It is fund that majority (60 per cent) of the respondents fall in the age group of 21 to
40 years, and the remaining 40 per cent of the respondents fall under 41 to 70 years.
The study concludes that representation is given to all community people while
collecting opinion about the performance of the village panchayat.
It is found that 93 per cent of the respondents are educated.
It is understood from the study village has the population professing different religion.
This study reveals that majority of the respondents are not having adequate annual
income to meet the basic needs of their life.
It is found that 81 per cent of the respondents live in nuclear families.
It is crystal clear that 94 per cent of the respondents have own houses according to
their economic status.
This study illustrates that 69 percent of the respondents living in huts.
Though the study portrays the fact that the fair performance of the panchayati
regarding the provision of basic amenities, yet the panchayati has not taken serious
steps to provide market facilities to sell and purchase the goods by the villages (83 per
cent).
In this panchayat there is a good performance of SSA and the fair performance of
primary and secondary schools, Adult and Non-formal education and village library
by the panchayati. The panchayati has yet to take more initiative to promote the
functioning of village library, adult and non-formal education and the primary schools
within its jurisdiction.
This study found that the non-provision of the drainage facilities; public toilet and
primary health center, it also found the fair performance of medical camps in the
panchayat village.
It reveals the good performance of cultural activities and family warfare scheme by
the panchayat. The very interesting finding is that there is no practice of child labour.
It is one of the better practices. The more painful finding is that the Dalit people's
development is left uncared.
The present study finds that the good performance on Namadhu Gramam Thittam by
the panchayat, the bad performance of youth clubs and the improper implementation
of poverty alleviation programmes in the panchayat village.
The analysis of the study concludes that there is no proper water management system
in the panchayat villages.
Though the gram sabha is a tool for village panchayat to bring local peoples
participation in village governance, the panchayat has failed to achieve it.
Recommendation
On the basis of the findings of the study and observations from the following
recommendations are offered.
The village panchatyat taken for the present study is very week and do no able to
perform functions. It is recommended that imparting training to the existing staff and
the NGOs and other institutions may do elected representatives.
The village panchayat has inadequate financial resources. Attempts should be made
to mobilize resources for village panchayat, by increasing of various taxed such as
house tax, water tax, vehicles tax and the like.
Panchayat organization lacks adequate participation of all sections of people like
Women, Youth, Dalits and others. Non-officials of the panchatyat have to tame effort
to promote peoples participation in village administration by developing their
knowledge and skills through organizing some awareness-training programme by the
university and colleges.
Development of entrepreneurship among rural women and rural educated youth is
vital for the development of rural industry. Village panchayat should try to motivate
them to take up joint projects so that group's entrepreneurship could be developed.
Lack of organic linkage among elected representative staff and people. It is major
administrative problem.
The attitudinal change among the people and the elected representatives may create an
environment for mutual understanding and thereby the involvement of people in
grame sabha meetings and its universities. To bring the attitudinal changes, the
universities the NGOs and media personnel's have to develop some programmes to
educate the members of various civil societies in the villages and intern those trained
members of the civil society may take up the responsibility of educating and
motivating the general public in the panchayat villages.
Conclusion
The 73rd constitution amendments of the constitution of India and the Tamil Nadu
Panchayati Raj Act 1994 have provided for the creation of the gram sahba and thereby
establish direct democracy. It is enable the people to participate in governance to
achieve economic development and social justice at the grassroots. If the members of
the garam sabha are to participate effectively in the governance at the grass roots
level they should have awareness about the gram sahba and its role and
responsibilities, the organization, personae and finance of Panchayati Raj Institution,
the control exercised over Panchayat Raj Institution and the various developmental
programmers available to the people. A critical evaluation of these aspects in the
present study reveals that people don’t have sufficient knowledge about Panchayat Raj
Institutions and the various development programmes implemented that the benefit of
peoples. The participation of the people in the gram panchayat in village panchayat is
not satisfactory. The success of democratic decentralization and development
administration at the grass root levels depend wholly on the extent of the participation
in the grass roots governance.
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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PEOPLE PARTICIPATION: A CASE OF

Article · October 2014

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PEOPLE

Corresponding Author: ranjannmt@gmail.com

Local government may be loosely defined as a public organization authorized to

indispensable part of the democratic process. Grass roots of democracy based on

Review of Related Literature

G. Palanithurai (1994) wrote an article on “Empowering People or Bureaucracy”. The

G. Palanithurai (1998) in his book entitled “Planning for Village Development”. It

G. Palanithurai (1998) “New panchayati Raj System in the Development Process”. In

S.P.Sing (2001) in his study on “Management of People by Gram Panchayati for

S.P. Singh (2002) has undertaken a study on “Hierarchy of Developmental Functions

It is observed that the study of people opinion on the performance by village

Tools for Data Collection

Table 1: Details of DINDIGUL DISTRICT

1 Dindigul 14 151204 38160 245

2 Athoor 22 107752 26602 105

3 Reddiarchattiram 24 102682 19307 252

4 Shanarpatti 21 123227 25647 20

5 Natham 23 133051 14609 34

6 Nilakottai 23 124478 40342 13

7 Vathalagundu 17 77449 22130 481

8 Palani 20 99024 32307 320

9 Ottanchattiram 35 106517 24731 151

10 Thoppampatti 38 108541 25879 33

11 Vedasandur 22 96379 16456 6

12 Vadamadurai 15 78859 15068 8

13 Guziliamparai 17 78231 18439 19

14 Kodaikanal 15 70018 14387 2893

Total 306 1457412 334064 4580

Source: Census of India 2011, Directorate of Census Operations Chennai, Tamilnadu

Table 2: Distribution of Respondents Based on their social Sex

Table 3: Age Wise Distribution of Respondents

Table 4: Distribution of Respondents Based on their Community

Table 5: Distribution of Respondents Based on their Religion

Table 6 : Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of their Educational

Table 7: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of their Occupation

Table 9: Distribution of Respondents Based on their Type of Family.

Table 10: Distribution of Respondents Based on the Nature of House

Table 11: Distribution of Respondents Based on the their Type of House

Table 12: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Table 13: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Table14: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Table 15: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Table 16: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Table 17: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions of the Village

Table 18: People's Opinion on the Performance of Functions by the Village

Table 19: People's Opinion on the Performance of Village Panchayat on the

Table 20: People's Opinion of Panchayat Role in Future Development

Major Findings of the Study

Sapru, R K. (1994). Development Administration. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.

Jushi, R. P. (2002). Panchayati Raj in India. New Delhi: Rauat Publication.

Laxmikanth, M. (2004). Public Administration. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.

Radia.B.L & kuldeep, F. (2005). Public Administration. Agra: Sahitya Bhawan

Shriram, M, (1994). Local Government in India. Agra: Lakshmi Narain Agrawal,

Bharati, P. A. (2000). "Panchayati Institution in Tamil Nadu Retrospect and Prospect",

Geetinder, K. (2003). "Political Dynamics of Panchayati Raj in India", Third Concept