Community Development and Panchayati Raj in India

Introduction and Historical Context

The audio discusses the history and evolution of community development programs and the Panchayati Raj system (local self-governance) in India. It primarily focuses on post-independence developments.

Four social development trials were carried out at the time, and the following are some well-known figures:

1. Gurgaon experiment, 1920, by F.I. Brian
2. Marthandam Experiment, 1921, by Spencer Hatch
3. Sriniketan experiment, by Rabindranath Tagore.
4. Baroda Experiment, by V.T. Krishnamachari

Post-Independence Development

• The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950.
• Part IV of the Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which, while not legally enforceable, are essential for governance.
• DPSP Article 40 requires the state to organize village panchayats and grant them the authority to operate as self-governing entities.
• There were financial difficulties because the government had little money (₹300 crores, with ₹180 crores going toward defense), which made it challenging to quickly implement the DPSP.

Community Development Programme (CDP) and National Extension Service (NES)

CDP was established on October 2, 1952, with funding from the Ford Foundation.

• Objective: Overall development of rural areas, including roads, sanitation, agriculture, animal husbandry, etc.
• Strategy: The country was divided into blocks, each consisting of about 100 villages with a population of approximately 70,000.
• Duration:The program was designed to run for three years.
• Financial Assistance: The Ford Foundation provided financial support.
• Administrative Structure: A Block Development Officer (BDO) was appointed to oversee each block, with support from Extension Officers.

The NES was introduced in 1953 as a continuation of the CDP.

• Objective: Same as the CDP – to promote rural development.
• Difference from CDP: The NES had no specific time frame, recognizing that development is a continuous process.

Committees and Recommendations

Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957)

The National Development Council (NDC), essentially the Union Cabinet, appointed the Balwantrai Mehta Committee in January 1957.

• Purpose: To evaluate the working of the CDP and NES and to suggest measures for the strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions.
• Submission of Report: November 1957.
• Approval of Report: The NDC approved the report in January 1958.

Key Findings of the Committee regarding CDP and NES:

1. Both programs failed in execution, but they raised public awareness of progress.
2. There was a lack of funding.
3. Bureaucracy had grown.
4. No one sector received any attention.
5. People lacked political understanding and were illiterate.

Key Recommendations:

1. Establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system:
   • Gram Panchayat at the village level (direct elections)
   • Mandal Parishad (also called Block Samiti) at the intermediate/block level (indirect elections)
   • Zilla Parishad at the district level (indirect elections)
2. Political parties should not participate in Panchayat elections.
3. The term of the Panchayati Raj institutions should be five years.
4. If a vacancy arises, by-elections should be held within six months.
5. The District Collector should be the chairman of the Zilla Parishad.
6. Panchayati Raj institutions should be given financial resources.

Implementation

• Rajasthan was the first state to adopt the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure. The Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave the opening address in the Nagaur district.
• Andhra Pradesh became the second state to execute it. Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime minister, gave the opening address in the Shadnagar Block of the Rangareddy district.