CHANDIGARH- A Regional Conference on the theme paper ‘Role of
Panchayat Bodies in Rural Development since 1959’ prepared by Shri V. N. Alok as part
of the 55th Members Annual Conference, was organized by Indian Institute of Public
Administration (IIPA) Panjab and Chandigarh (UT) Regional Branch on 12th October 2011
in Collaboration with Department of Public Administration, Panjab University,
Chandigarh.
The theme paper was presented by Dr. Ramanjit Kaur Johal, Chairperson, Department of
Public Administration, Panjab University. Mr. B.S. Ojha, I.A.S (Retd.), Former Chief
Secretary, Government of Haryana and Chairman, IIPA Panjab and Chandigarh (UT)
Regional Branch chaired the conference. Prof. B.S. Ghuman, Dean Faculty of Arts, and
Honorary Secretary, IIPA Punjab and Chandigarh Regional Branch welcomed the
participants. Dr. Ramanjit highlighted various phases of development of Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRIs) in India since Rig Veda dating back to 1200 B.C. to Lord Ripon’s
Resolution of 1882 and the post-independence landmarks in the PRIs, namely, Balwant
Rai Mehta Committee, Ashok Mehta Committee, G.V.K Rao Committee, L.M. Singhvi
Committee and 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. She also raised certain issues
such as autonomy versus dependency, integrated view and action, free and fair local
elections, autonomous institutions, storing fiscal information system, authority to
identify local needs and preferences, ability to monitor and evaluate the system, etc.
The presentation was followed by discussions in which Prof. Shital Prakash, Prof. B.S.
Ghuman, Mr. G.S. Pandher, Sanjeev Ranjan, Munish and Jaswinder participated.
From discussions, it emerged out that State Finance Commissions (SFCs) should be given
statutory powers as given to National Finance Commission; SFCs should have power to
recommend certain shares of state funds to be mandatorily transferred to the local
bodies as is done by National Finance Commission. For better governance at local
level, it was recommended that all the mentioned 29 functions in the 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act should be transferred followed by corresponding
allocation of finances and functionaries (employees) to PRIs. In brief, it was
suggested that compatibility between the 3 Fs i.e. Functions, Finance and Functionary
should be ensured. Capacity building for the local level functionaries should be
upgraded on the regular basis.
A large number of IIPA members, faculty members from Department of Public
Administration, Economics, Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Centre for Police
Administration; research scholars and students from various disciplines participated
in the conference.
Mr. B.S. Ojha, I.A.S (Retd.), in his presidential remarks emphasized the need to
strengthen State Finance Commissions and the need to conduct field visits to study the
real impact of the various schemes like MGNREGA on the rural development.
Prof. P. K. Kamra, Treasurer, proposed the vote of thanks.
