SOUVENIR UGC SPONSORED TWO DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR ON EMPOWERMENT OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS – PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANDHRA PRADESH th th 15 and 16 March, 2015 IN Collaboration with Organized by Department of Political Science S.K.S.D. Mahila Kalasala(UG&PG), Tanuku (Re-accredited by NAAC at ‘B’ Level) Website : www.svke.net 1 2 CONTENTS Invitation Organizing Committee Messages From the Principal & Chairman‘s Desk Theme of the Seminar – A Focus Key Note Address Valedictory Address List of Articles Technical Sessions Articles 3 S.K.S.D. MAHILA KALASALA (UG & PG), TANUKU Re-accredited by NAAC at „B‟ Level www.svke.net, email: [email protected] We cordially invite you to the Inaugural Function of the Two Day UGC Sponsored National Seminar Organized by Department of Political Science In collaboration with ON “EMPOWERMENT OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS – PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANDHRA PRADESH” On Sunday 15th March, 2015 at 10.30 a.m. Chief Guest Dr. P. Krishna Prasad Former Professor, Department of Politics & Public Administration, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam Will deliver the Keynote Address Special Guest Prof. Y. Pardhasaradhi Head, Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, Central University of Jammu, Jammu Guests of Honour Sri Chitturi Subba Rao Founder, Secretary & Correspondent S.K.S.D. Group of Colleges Dr. M.V.V. Prasada Rao President, S.V.K. Educational Society Sri Nandigam Sudhakar Treasurer, S.V.K. Educational Society 4 S.K.S.D. MAHILA KALASALA (UG & PG), TANUKU Reaccredited by NAAC at „B‟ Level www.svke.net, email: [email protected] We cordially invite you to the Valedictory Function of the Two Day UGC Sponsored National Seminar Organized by Department of Political Science In collaboration with ON “EMPOWERMENT OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS – PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANDHRA PRADESH” On Monday 16th March, 2015 at 02.30 p.m. Chief Guest Prof. E.A. Narayana Rector, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam Guests of Honour Sri Chitturi Subba Rao Founder, Secretary & Correspondent S.K.S.D. Group of Colleges Dr. M.V.V. Prasada Rao President, S.V.K. Educational Society Sri Nandigam Sudhakar Treasurer, S.V.K. Educational Society Dr. M. Jhansi Dr. P. Aruna Organizing Committee Secretary Principal 5 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Chief Patron Sri Chitturi Subba Rao Founder, Secretary & Correspondent S.V.K. Educational Society Patrons Dr. M.V.V. Prasada Rao President, S.V.K. Educational Society Sri Nandigam Sudhakar Treasurer, S.V.K. Educational Society Advisor Sri D.V.V.S. Varma Loksatta, State President Chair Person Dr. P. Aruna Principal Convener Dr. M. Jhansi Reader in Politics Co-Conveners Dr. B. N. Padmavathi SG Lecturer in History Dr. K.R. Pushpavathi Reader in Economics Members Dr. D.M. Neeraja, Reader in Commerce Smt. K. Vani, SG Lecturer in commerce Sri G.A.K. Nehru, SG Lecturer in English Smt. G. Kusuma Kumari, Lecturer in Physical Education Smt. G. Indira Kumar, Lecturer in Commerce Sri N.S.V.N.A. Kumar, Lecturer in Computer Science Sri K. Rama Krishna, Lecturer in Zoology Sri K.V. Rama Krishna, Lecturer in Chemistry Sri N. Venkateswara Rao, Lecturer in Statistics Smt. G. Aruna Kumari, Lecturer in Economics Sri A. Naganna, Lecturer in History Smt. U. Lakshmi Sundari Bai, Lecturer in Mathematics Smt. K. Padmaja Rani, Lecturer in Physics Smt. S. Usha Rani, Lecturer in English 6 Message Sri Chitturi Subba Rao Founder, Secretary & Correspondent S.K.S.D. Group of Colleges I am immensely pleased to note that the Department of Political Science is organizing a two day UGC sponsored National Seminar focusing the theme “Empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions – Problems and Challenges with Special Reference to Andhra Pradesh” on 15th, 16th March 2015. The present seminar is a timely gesture and provides an academic forum for meaningful discussions and spread. I congratulate the convener of the seminar, faculty and the principal for their academic endeavor. I wish the seminar a success with a hope that the deliberations and the seminar will definitely enlighten the stake holders and add to the strength of the policy initiations of the Government. Chitturi Subba Rao 7 MESSAGE Dr. P. Krishna Prasad Former Prof., Department of Politics & Public Administration, Andhra University I am delighted when I heard that S.K.S.D Mahila Kalasala is organizing a two day national seminar on empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions -problems and challenges with special reference to Andhra Pradesh. Dr.M.Jhansi, convener of the seminar, is perhaps the first scholar who conducted an empirical study on the functioning and performance of elected women representatives in PRIs in Andhra Pradesh consequent upon the 73rd constitutional Amendment Act. Her study on Panchayat Raj institutions stands as a valuable reference to the scholars interested in the study of women participation in Panchayat Raj. This seminar is being organized at a time that a great demand for empowerment of PRIs is heard from diverse stake holders. Further, there is an urgent need for a review of working of self-governments formed after according the constitutional status to them. There is an opinion that PRIs do not really experience the discretion available on paper. The management, administration and the faculty of the college deserve compliments for organizing this seminar bringing several scholars together on a highly relevant prominent contemporary issue. I wish and hope that the seminar will initiate fruitful discussions and dialogues besides eliciting valuable data on empowerment of PRIs. Dr. P. Krishna Prasad 8 Prof. E.A. Narayana, Rector 9 Message Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan Independence must begin at the bottom. Thus, every village will be a republic or Panchayat having full powers. It follows, therefore, that every village has to be self-sustained and capable of managing its affairs even to the extent of defending itself against the whole world. -M. K. Gandhi (in his journal Harijan) India with a population of 121 crore, has 83.3 crore people i.e. almost 70% of the population living in the rural areas. The 73rd Amendment Act gave the panchayat raj institutions a constitutional status which would empower them to undertake welfare and development activities at the root level. Many states including Andhra Pradesh have enacted their own legislations to institutionalize the PRIs. Have these legislations helped in building a strong 3rd tier democracy? Unfortunately, the answer would be in the negative. The reasons for the failures could be many- The lack of funds, the state governments being reluctant to share powers with the PRI‘s and many more. But, the major ones, being the lack of awareness in people about the importance of these institutions in building this nation and the lacklustre behaviour in addressing the problems and challenges faced by the PRIs. As believed by the Mahatma that ―The soul of India lives in its villages‖ the growth story should start from the villages. For that we need the Local Self Governments to play a bigger role. The people‘s participation can only empower the Panchayats and further the aim of building a strong and vibrant democracy. We need to decentralize power in an innovative, accountable manner to ensure outcomes. Even with the best of intentions and great ability, we cannot improve delivery and outcomes in a centralized, inflexible system. Fusion of authority with accountability at local level should be the guiding principle. There is a priceless opportunity now. Swachh Bharat 10 Mission has captured the imagination of the people. Central devolution to states is increasing greatly. In the current year, Rs. 778,000 crore is sought to be transferred to states. With the government‘s acceptance of 14th Finance Commission recommendation enhancing States‘ share of central taxes upto 42%, and the abolition of plan assistance and many centrally- sponsored schemes, there is now space to transfer a part of the funds to the third tier of government. Even if a sixth (17%) of the transfers go to local governments directly, there will be Rs. 1000/ capita available in every local government. Our villages need better infrastructure and in-situ urbanization. Even rural citizens are increasingly restive at the poor services and amenities. This gives us great opportunity to empower citizens and local governments, transfer Rs. 1000/ capita, and build accountability systems to prevent abuse. It will release great energy and transform delivery and outcomes. I am sure this seminar on ―Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions- Problems and Challenges with special reference to A.P‖ would gain the attention of the people on a whole and would be a platform in addressing the major problems faced by the local governments today. I appreciate the efforts of the S.K.S.D Mahila Kalasala in conducting such seminars and hope this would encourage many others take part in building stronger and better Local self governments. 11 Message Dr.D.Subba Rao, M.Com.,Ph.D Administrative Officer, S.K.S.D. Mahila Kalasala, Tanuku I congratulate the Department of Political Science, S.K.S.D.Mahila Kalasala, Tanuku, for organizing a National Seminar on “Empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions – Problems and Challenges with Special Reference to Andhra Pradesh” on 15th and 16th March 2015. My best wishes to the organizers, participants and faculty Members of the institution. I wish the seminar a grand success. Dr.D.Subba Rao 12 FROM THE PRINCIPAL & CHAIR PERSON’S DESK Dr.P.ARUNA Principal & Seminar Chair Person I extend a warm and hearty welcome to all the participants and guests to the Two-Day UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions – Problems and Challenges with Special Reference to Andhra Pradesh” organized by the Department of Political Science of the SKSD Mahila Kalasala Tanuku.