Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats Book-3 Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats (Common to both Induction Level Orientation and Refresher Training) Centre for Panchayati Raj, Decentralised Planning and Social Service Delivery National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030 nirdpr.org.in May 2020 i Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats ii Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats iii Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats iv Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats v Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats vi Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats 209 211 102465/2020/MOPR102465/2020/MOPR vii Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats viii 209 102465/2020/MOPR Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats 209209 102465/2020/MOPR102465/2020/MOPR ix Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats 210 102465/2020/MOPR x Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats xi Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats xii Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats xiii Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats xiv Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats Book-3 Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats (Common to both Induction Level Orientation and Refresher Training) Sl. No. Content Page No. Gram Panchayat as an Institution of Self-Government and its Roles Chapter-1 1-10 & Respownsibilities Structure & Functions of Gram Panchayat and its Standing Chapter-2 11-24 Committees Group Dynamics in Democratic Functioning of Gram Panchayat (with focus on participation, communication, facilitation, Chapter-3 leadership, conflict resolution, decision making, problem solution 25-34 and issues & stages of group development in the context of democratic functioning of Gram Panchayat) Management of Meetings of Gram Panchayat, Office Management Chapter-4 35-48 & Maintenance of Records Mobilisation and Utilisation of Own Source Revenue by Gram Chapter-5 49-55 Panchayat Preparation of Budget, Management of Finance, Maintenance of Chapter-6 56-68 Accounts, Procurement of Goods & Services and Audit Compliance Chapter-7 Service Delivery by Gram Panchayat 69-73 Chapter-8 Social Audit and Roles of Gram Panchayat 74-77 Chapter-9 Citizens’ Right to Information and Roles of Gram Panchayat 78-82 Chapter-10 Citizens’ Right to Public Services and Roles of Gram Panchayat 83-86 Chapter-11 Good Governance and Roles of Gram Panchayat 87-90 Mechanisms to Redress Public Grievances and Roles of Gram Chapter-12 91-94 Panchayat Assessment and Incentivisation of Panchayats and Roles of Gram Chapter-13 95-99 Panchayat Application of Panchayat Enterprise Suites and Roles of Gram Chapter-14 100-107 Panchayat Chapter-15 Education for All and Roles of Gram Panchayat 108-116 Chapter-16 Health for All and Roles of Gram Panchayat 117-132 xv Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats Sl. No. Content Page No. Gender Issues, Development of Women & Children, Legal Rights Chapter-17 of Women & Children, Gender-Just & Child-Friendly Gram 133-150 Panchayat and Roles of Gram Panchayat Self-Help Group Based Development and Gram Panchayat-SHG Chapter-18 151-165 Convergence for Community-Led Poverty Reduction Chapter-19 Implementation of MGNREGS and Roles of Gram Panchayat 166-175 Chapter-20 Housing for All and Roles of Gram Panchayat 176-180 National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), other Social Chapter-21 181-186 Assistance Schemes and Roles of Gram Panchayat Utilisation of Fourteenth Finance Commission Grant and Roles of Chapter-22 187-190 Gram Panchayat Utilisation of State Finance Commission Grant and Roles of Gram Chapter-23 191-192 Panchayat Social Justice with Focus on Development of Backward Sections of Chapter-24 the Society including SC, ST, BC, PWD, Mentally Retarded, Aged 193-196 & Infirm and Roles of Gram Panchayat Expansion of Livelihood Opportunities for Economic Development Chapter-25 197-209 and Roles of Gram Panchayat Climate Change, Environmental Upgradation and Roles of Gram Chapter-26 210-215 Panchayat Chapter-27 Conservation of Bio-Diversity and Roles of Gram Panchayat 216-218 Chapter-28 Disaster Management and Roles of Gram Panchayat 219-222 Mission Antyodaya Framework, Evidence-Based Local Chapter-29 223-231 Development and Roles of Gram Panchayat Provisions for Special Interventions in PESA Areas and Roles of Chapter-30 232-236 Gram Panchayat Preparation, Implementation and Monitoring of Comprehensive and Inclusive Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) with Chapter-31 237-246 focus on Human Development, Social Development & Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Roles of Gram Panchayat Monitoring and Evaluation of the Functioning of Gram Panchayat, Chapter-32 247-252 Programmes and Outcomes xvi Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats Chapter - 1 Gram Panchayat as an Institution of Self-Government and its Roles & Responsibilities (This is a Model Learning Material. The exact functions, roles and responsibilities devolved to Gram Panchayats need to be contextualised, based on respective State Panchayati Raj Acts and Rules) Q-1: What is the Background of the Panchayat System in India? Ans: Many people think that the word Panchayat is derived from the word ‘Panch’ that refers to an institution of five. In ancient India, rural administration was looked after by a village council consisting of five members although the number varied from time to time. India has a long tradition of local governments going back to more than 1000 years, though the pattern of working of the local bodies underwent marked changes. Gradually, village administration was looked after by the local bodies through various Acts and rules framed from time to time during pre-independence and post-independence periods. Mahatma Gandhi stated that India lives in her villages. He believed that “the best, quickest and most efficient way is to build up from the bottom..... Every village has to become a self-sufficient republic”. After Independence, many States took initiative to form Panchayat bodies from village to district level. Finally, almost after five decades of Independence, in the year 1992-93, the Government of India took a revolutionary step by making Panchayati Raj Institutions as part of the Constitution through the 73rd Amendment. The amendment contains the provision for devolution of powers and responsibilities to the panchayats with respect to preparation of plans and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice in relation to the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. In the three-tier structure of the Panchayati Raj system, Gram Panchayat is the lowest unit. There is a Gram Panchayat for each village or a group of villages. The next tier of the Panchayati Raj system is the Intermediate Panchayat set up at the block level. The District Panchayat stands at the apex of the three tier Panchayati Raj system. Q-2 : What are the Roles of three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions as per provisions of the Constitution of India ? Ans: As per the provision of Article 243G of the Constitution of India, elected Panchayats will function as self-government institutions. The Panchayats, in their areas, should prepare plans for economic development and social justice and also execute them. The states should devolve powers and responsibilities with respect to the 9 subjects, as mandated, to the panchayats and also make funds available to them for executing these functions. Being an institution of self-government nearest to the people, Gram Panchayat plays the most important role in rural development. Reference of three most important initiatives taken up by the Government of India with the objective of giving importance to the Gram Panchayat may be mentioned as under: . Main responsibility for implementation of the schemes under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Act, one of the major flagship programmes, has been given to Gram Panchayats. They are authorised to utilise not less than 50% of the allocation under MGNREGS. Gram Panchayat, out of the three-tier Panchayat system, is the only institution at the village level to execute schemes out of the fund made available as untied fund from the 14th Finance Commission. 1 Model Learning Materials for Elected Representatives of Gram Panchayats . Priority has been given from the national level for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). Q-3 : What are the Duties of a Gram Panchayat as per State Panchayat Act ? As per the provisions of sections abc, def, ghi and jkl, a Gram Panchayat shall function as a unit of self-government for achieving the goal of human development including social and economic devel- opment and securing social justice for all, and shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed or such directions as may be given by the State Government. Q-4 : What are the Obligatory Duties of a Gram Panchayat ? Ans: (i) The Obligatory Duties of a Gram Panchayat are as follow: (a) Prepare a development plan for the five-year term of office. Revise and update