WOMEN IN LOCAL PLANNING PROCESS: AN EMPOWERMENT PERSPECTIVE Thesis Submitted to the Cochin University of Science and Technology for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Economics Under the Faculty of Social Sciences By Jayasree Paul (Reg. No. 3256) Under the Supervision of Dr. Mary Joseph Department of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682022 January 2017 Women in Local Planning Process: An Empowerment Perspective Ph.D. Thesis under the Faculty of Social Sciences Submitted by Jayasree Paul Research Scholar Dept. of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kerala, India Supervising Guide Dr. Mary Joseph Retired Professor & Director School of Management Studies Cochin University of Science and Technology Kerala, India Department of Applied Economics Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682022, Kerala, India January 2017 This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Women in Local Planning Process: An Empowerment Perspective” is a record of bona fide research work carried out by Mrs. Jayasree Paul (Reg. No. 3256) under my supervision and guidance. This is an original piece of research and has not formed the basis for award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or other similar title of any other University or Board and is worth submitting for the award of Doctor of Philosophy under the Faculty of Social Sciences of Cochin University of Science and Technology. All the relevant corrections and modifications suggested by the audience during the pre-synopsis seminar and recommended by the Doctoral committee have been incorporated in the thesis. Kochi-22 Dr. Mary Joseph 25-01- 2017 Retired Professor& Director School of Management Studies Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682 022 I hereby declare that the thesis entitled “Women in Local Planning Process: An Empowerment Perspective” is a record of bona fide research work done by me under the guidance of Dr. Mary Joseph, Professor (Rtd), School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and that it has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other title of recognition. Kochi Jayasree Paul 25-01-2017 I prostrate myself before my God in profound gratitude and love for giving me the grace to complete my PhD amidst the challenges and hardships. I place my deep sense of gratitude to my guide Dr Mary Joseph, under whose expert guidance this thesis has taken its present shape. I remain grateful to her ever for the constructive criticisms, timely interventions, for reading the draft of the thesis, the patient listening, and the kind words of encouragements. Words are insufficient to thank her. I take this opportunity to thank Dr. S Harikumar Head of the department and all the members of the staff in the department of Economics in Cochin University for their support and valuable suggestions during the process of my research. I express my sincere gratitude to Dr Rajasenan for the constructive corrections and suggestions. I extend my hearty thanks to all the members of the office and library staff of the Department for their kind help and co-operation. Discussions with Dr, Bindu Varghes, Asstt. Coordinator Kudumbasree District Mission Thrissur , Sri Manoj Kumar V District Coordinator IKM and Sri Sajeev Deputy Planning Office Thrissur were great inputs to the fulfillment of this work. I would like to thank Smt Tessy Francis ward member, Kodakara Panchayat, and Swapana former CDS chairperson, Kodakara Panchayat for giving valuable information for the fulfillment of my work. I am very much thankful to the CDS chairpersons of Adat, Mullurkara, Kodakara, Poomangalam, Engandiyoor, Kadappuram and Nadathara gramapanchayats for helping me to finish my survey. I remember with love and gratitude all those who have supported with the necessary data both primary and secondary and all those who have accompanied me during those laborious journeys. Last but not least I thank all the members of my family especially my husband Mr. Joseph, my children, my brother and sisters for their valuable prayers, suggestions constant encouragement and support during the long years of my study. I also keep in love and gratitude my beloved parents especially my father who is no more. It was my father’s greatest desire that I should complete my research. I know the litany will go on unending. There are many more people who have helped me. I thank all of them. Above all, I thank Almighty God. Jayasree Paul Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 01‐ 42 1.1 The Theme ............................................................................... 01 1.2 Women in Planning Process: Evolution of Approach with Empowerment Perspective................................................ 03 1.3 Marginalization of Women ....................................................... 10 1.4 Women Empowerment: Convergence of NHGs with Local Planning ......................................................................... 13 1.5 Participation of Women in Local Planning ............................... 15 1.6 Women Component Plan ......................................................... 18 1.7 Limits of Different Ideological Practices for Women Empowerment .......................................................................... 19 1.8 The Research Gap .................................................................... 21 1.9 Research Problem ..................................................................... 21 1.10 Significance of the Study .......................................................... 24 1.11 Objectives of the Study ............................................................ 25 1.12 Hypothesis ............................................................................... 25 1.13 Women Empowerment: The Conceptual Framework ............... 26 1.14 Research Design ....................................................................... 29 1.15 Methodology and Sampling ...................................................... 30 1.16 Analytical Framework and Data Analysis ................................. 34 1.17 Method of Data Analysis ......................................................... 38 1.18 Limitations of the Study .......................................................... 39 1.19 Chapter Scheme ...................................................................... 40 Chapter 2 LOCAL PLANNING UNDER DECENTRALISATION: THE KERALA EXPERIENCE ......................................................... 43 ‐ 63 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 43 2.2 Local Planning under Decentralisation ..................................... 44 2.3 Principles of Local Governance ................................................ 45 2.4 Local Planning in India ............................................................ 47 2.5 73rd Constitutional Amendment: Major Recommendations ............ 50 2.6 Evolution of Local Planning in Kerala ..................................... 51 2.7 Gramasabha (GS) ..................................................................... 53 2.8 Participatory Planning: Different Stages .................................. 56 2.9 Conclusion ............................................................................... 62 Chapter 3 WOMEN IN LOCAL PLANNING: THE ROLE OF KUDUMBASREE .............................................................................. 65 ‐ 93 3.1 Local Planning, Kudumbasree and Empowerment: An Introduction .............................................................................. 65 3.2 How NHGs Stands Different from SHGs.................................. 66 3.3 Convergence with LSG and Evolution of Community Development Society (CDS) .................................................... 67 3.4 Three Tier System in Kudumbasree: A Replication of Panchayat System ..................................................................... 69 3.5 Kudumbasree Structure and its Interface with LSG................... 71 3.6 LSG and Kudumbasree: Common Platforms ............................ 76 3.7 Interface between CDS and Local Government Institutions in Planning .............................................................................. 87 3.8 Conclusion ............................................................................... 92 Chapter 4 WOMEN COMPONENT PLAN: SCOPE AND UTILISATION ................................................................................. 95 ‐ 156 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 95 4.2 Women Component Plan and Kudumbasree ............................. 96 4.3 Profile of the Study Area: Thrissur District ............................... 97 4.4 Women Component Plan (WCP) in Kadappuram ..................... 99 4.5 Women Specific (Non-WCP) General Expenditure: Kadappuram ........................................................................... 103 4.6 Women Component Plan (WCP) in Mullurkara ...................... 105 4.7 Women Specific (Non-WCP) General Expenditure: Mullurkara ............................................................................. 111 4.8 Women Component Plan (WCP) in Adat................................ 112 4.9 Women Specific (Non-WCP) General Expenditure:Adat ........ 117 4.10 Women Component Plan (WCP) in Kodakara ........................ 118 4.11 Women Specific (Non-WCP)