Panchayat Resource Mapping to Panchayat-level Planning in Kerala: An Analytical Study Srikumar Chattopadhyay, P. Krishna Kumar & K. Rajalekshmi Discussion Paper No. 14 December 1999 Kerala Research Programme for Local Level Development Centre for Development Studies Thiruvananthapuram Panchayat Resource Mapping to Panchayat-level Planning in Kerala: An Analytical Study Srikumar Chattopadhyay, P. Krishna Kumar & K. Rajalekshmi English Discussion Paper Rights reserved First published December 1999 Copy Editing: H. Shaji Printed at: Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development Published by: Dr K. N. Nair, Programme Co-ordinator, Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, Centre for Development Studies, Prasanth Nagar, Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram 695 011 Tel: 550 465, 550 491 Fax: 550 465 E-mail:
[email protected] Url: http://www.krpcds.org/ Cover Design: Defacto Creations ISBN No: 81-87621-13-3 Price: in India Rs 40 outside India US$5 KRPLLD 12/1999 0750 ENG 2 Panchayat Resource Mapping to Panchayat-level Planning in Kerala: An Analytical Study Srikumar Chattopadhyay, P. Krishna Kumar & K. Rajalekshmi * 1. Introduction Background Considerable emphasis has gone into decentralisation and micro-level planning with peoples initiative and participation in the process of development since introduction of the Eighth Five-Year Plan. The 72nd and the 73rd Constitutional amendment bills of 1991 provided Constitutional safeguards towards the establishment of Panchayati Raj Institutions at the district, block, and panchayat levels. The panchayats are supposed to be empowered with respect to: (i) Preparation of plans for economic development and social justice; and (ii) Implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to matters listed in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution.