{"id":103859,"date":"2024-04-23T19:20:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T13:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=103859"},"modified":"2024-04-24T19:02:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T13:32:21","slug":"grassroot-governance-in-india","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/grassroot-governance-in-india","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening Panchayati Raj in India: Evolution, Challenges, and Way Forward for Grassroot Governance"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Ministry of Panchayati Raj <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">commemorates the <\/span><b>24th of April <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every year as <\/span><b>National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> marking the <\/span><b>enactment of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which came into force on <\/span><b>24th April, 1993.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Relevance For Prelims<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/local-self-government-panchayat-municipalities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LOCAL SELF-GOVERNANCE IN INDIA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/panchayati-raj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evolution Of PANCHAYATI RAJ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/73rd-constitutional-amendment-act-1992-panchayati-raj-ii\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">73rd CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACT, 1992<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/smart-gram-panchayat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart Gram Panchayat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/panchayati-raj-committees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contributions Of Panchayati Raj Committees In India<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Relevance For Mains: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthening Panchayati Raj in India: Evolution, Current Status, Challenges, and Way Forward for Grassroot Governance.<\/span><\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>National Colloquium on Grassroot Governance<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>National Colloquium on Grassroot Governance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is organizing it after three Decades of the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/examine-the-transformative-potential-of-the-73rd-amendment-act-in-evolving-grassroots-democratic-institutions-towards-participatory-democracy-in-india-15-marks-250-words-additional\/#:~:text=The%2073rd%20Amendment%20Act%20established,Panchayati%20Raj%20Institutions%20(PRIs).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>73rd Constitutional Amendment<\/b><\/a><b>\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in observance of NPRD.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Aims:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To <\/span><b>facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including officials from Central and State Governments, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Key Topics of Discussion: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discussions will focus on the <\/span><b>evolution of principles of Good Governance in rural areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>pathways for strengthening PRIs as vehicles for effective public service delivery.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>About Grassroot Governance in India- Panchayati Raj and Municipalities<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grassroot Governance refers to the <\/span><b>participation of local residents in village governance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main objective behind it\u00a0 is that the <\/span><b>people in the village should undertake the responsibilities of governing themselves.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participation from the local population, community, PRIs, SHGs, etc. helps in achieving the goals of <\/span><b>sustainable development and environmental preservation.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India has over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, and over 2,000 municipalities and municipal corporations<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Services like <\/span><b>supply of potable and clean water, sanitation, and management of solid waste are the few crucial services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provided by the local governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Evolution of Grassroot Governance in India<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><strong>Pre Independence:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Municipal Corporation in Madras:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The setting up of a Municipal Corporation in Madras in 1687 marked the beginning of local government in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Charter Act of 1793: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under this, the local body in India acquired a<\/span><b> statutory base and <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">municipal administration was established in the <\/span><b>presidency towns of Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Lord Mayo\u2019s Resolution of 1870: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>advocated decentralisation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and made arrangements for <\/span><b>strengthening the municipal institutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>involving more and more Indians in these bodies.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Lord Ripon\u2019s Resolution of 1882: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It advocated the cause of decentralization of administration through the establishment of local selfgoverning institutions.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Resolution of 1882 has been described as the <\/span><b>Magna Carta of local government.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Royal Commission on Decentralisation 1907: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It recommended that the<\/span><b> village <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should be regarded as the<\/span><b> basic unit of local self-government institutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>every village should have a panchayat <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>municipalities should be constituted in urban areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Government of India Act, 1919:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It introduced <\/span><b>\u2018Dyarchy\u2019 in the province<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s, and<\/span><b> local self-government became a transferred subject.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act increased the taxation powers of the local bodies, lowered the franchise, reduced the nominated element, and extended the communal electorate to a large number of municipalities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Government of India Act, 1935: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0For the first time,, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/government-of-india-act-1935\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Government of India Act, 1935<\/b><\/a><b> introduced a federal form of Government<\/b> <b>conferred \u2018Provincial Autonomy\u2019<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the provinces and e<\/span><b>nvisaged selfgovernment for the country as a whole.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><strong>Post Independence:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Balwant Rai Mehta Committee: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To <\/span><b>examine the working of the Community Development Programme (1952) and the National Extension Service (1953)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It recommended:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establishment of an organically linked <\/span><b>three-tier panchayati raj system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through a<\/span><b> device of indirect elections.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Ashok Mehta committee 1977: It recommended<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a two-tier system \u2013 zilla parishad and mandal panchayat (consisting of a group of villages with a total population of 15,000 to 20,000)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>District as first point for decentralisation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">under popular supervision below the state level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-104046 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114749871-6628f68bbd04b.webp\" alt=\"Panchayati Raj\" width=\"603\" height=\"248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114749871-6628f68bbd04b.webp 652w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114749871-6628f68bbd04b-300x123.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 603px) 100vw, 603px\" \/><b>73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992:\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>constitutionalised the Panchayats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and made <\/span><b>mandatory for all the states to set up three-tier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (in smaller states having less than 20 lakh population \u2013 two-tier) Panchayats:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zilla Parishad at the district level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panchayat Samiti at the block level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gram Panchayat at the village level<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>74th Constitutional Amendment Act:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 It<\/span><b> constitutionalised the municipal local bodies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by providing them with a constitutional status and also making it mandatory for the government to constitute them.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A uniform <\/span><b>three-tier structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of urban local bodies\u2019 viz., <\/span><b>Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was to be constituted.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Role of Panchayats in Grassroot Governance in India<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Constitutional Mandate:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/indian-constitution-exploration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Constitution<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mandates panchayats to operate as <\/span><b>self-governing institutions,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> urging state governments to <\/span><b>rejuvenate local representative bodies.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Implementing Development Policies at the Grassroots:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/73rd-amendment-of-indian-constitution-panchayati-raj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are crucial in translating developmental policies into action at the grassroots level.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They serve as <\/span><b>intermediaries between the government and rural communities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fostering<\/span><b> local participation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and driving sustainable development initiatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Catalysts of Local Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Panchayats have several key responsibilities, including<\/span><b> drafting economic development plans and schemes,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> advancing social justice through various initiatives, exercising tax, duties, tolls, and fees levying, collection, and appropriation.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also aided in decentralising<\/span><b> governmental functions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, notably financial responsibilities, to local levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Monitoring Government Schemes: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panchayat members supervise various government programmes, such as the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/integrated-child-development-services-scheme\/#:~:text=ICDS%20Scheme%20is%20a%20flagship,of%20Women%20and%20Child%20Development.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Role of Panchayati Raj in India\u2019s Socio-Economic Development<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rural Development:\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PRIs prepare <\/span><b>Village Development Plans (VDPs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><b> implement development projects <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by <\/span><b>allocating resources based on local needs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to align development initiatives with the priorities of the rural population.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panchayats also serve as <\/span><b>implementing agencies for various Central and State government <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">programmes and schemes to help in the <\/span><b>targeted delivery of these programmes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the grassroots level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Agricultural Development: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PRIs implement and oversee initiatives that boost agricultural productivity, support sustainable farming practices, and enhance the overall economic resilience of rural areas.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance,<\/span><b> cooperative endeavours like Amul <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have originated at the Panchayat level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>SDG Localisation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The MoPR is advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in collaboration with PRIs across rural India.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Providing Healthcare Facilities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panchayats play a significant role in providing <\/span><b>basic healthcare facilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through <\/span><b>establishing and maintaining health centres<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, clinics, and dispensaries.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gram Panchayats contribute to<\/span><b> improving maternal and child health by promoting institutional deliveries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, encouraging prenatal and postnatal care, and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 2021-22 to 2025-26, around <\/span><b>0.70 lakh crore was allocated for local governments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for health, with <\/span><b>0.44 lakh crore specified for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Education: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panchayats <\/span><b>collaborate with schools and parents<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to<\/span><b> encourage enrolment, minimise drop-out rates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>actively monitor school operations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, teacher attendance, and educational quality.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between 2018 and 2022, the<\/span><b> enrolment of children aged 6-14 years in government schools<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in rural areas<\/span><b> increased in all States<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with Odisha, Gujarat and West Bengal recording more than 90 per cent of enrolment in government schools.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Women Empowerment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a positive and significant correlation between increased women\u2019s participation and improved outcomes in local governance.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, E. Duflo and R. Chattopadhyay, in a study involving the working of PRIs in West Bengal and Rajasthan observed that <\/span><b>women\u2019s representation has had a net positive impact on the delivery of local public goods to marginalised communities.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Article 243D<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution<\/span><b> guarantees women\u2019s involvement in PRIs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by stipulating a <\/span><b>minimum one-third reservation for women<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in both the total seats filled by <\/span><b>direct election and the positions of Panchayat Chairpersons.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.4%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>How Are Local Bodies Funded?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-104047 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114755365-6628f68a80af2.webp\" alt=\"Panchayati Raj\" width=\"422\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114755365-6628f68a80af2.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114755365-6628f68a80af2-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/untitled-2024-04-24t114755365-6628f68a80af2-768x510.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Internal (or own-source revenue):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 They raise themselves, either through<\/span><b> taxes such as land or property tax,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or through non-tax sources which include rents and user-fees.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>External Revenue Sources:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 It includes:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Assigned revenue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which covers taxes, duties, tolls, and fees due to local bodies, that are collected by the<\/span><b> state and central governments.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exact percentage allocation of these revenues is done through recommendations o<\/span><b>f State Finance Commissions.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Grants-in-aid and loans from the central and state governments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, domestic institutions, financial intermediaries, capital markets, and\/or donor agencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Challenges Faced by Grassroot Governance in India<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Functions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>power to devolve functions to local governments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rests with the state government. However, the<\/span><b> states have not devolve adequate functions to local government bodies, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">severely <\/span><b>affecting the system\u2019s efficiency and effectiveness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Creation of Parastatal Bodies: State governments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> created <\/span><b>parallel structures for the implementation of projects <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around agriculture, health, and education\u2014undermining areas for which local bodies are constitutionally responsible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Non-functionality of District Planning Committees (DPC):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The 74th amendment requires a DPC to be set up in each district, so that the <\/span><b>development plans prepared by the panchayats and urban local bodies <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can be consolidated and integrated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, DPC are<\/span><b> non-functional in nine states<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>failed to prepare integrated plans <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in 15 states.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Finances:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most local bodies, both rural and urban are<\/span><b> unable to generate adequate funds from their internal sources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and are therefore <\/span><b>extremely dependent on external sources for funding.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 80 percent to<\/span><b> 95 percent of revenue is obtained from external sources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly state and central government loans and grants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R<\/span><b>easons for low internal revenue collection:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local bodie<\/span><b>s lack the capacity to properly impose taxes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, due to ambiguous taxation norms, lack of reliable records, and so on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>State governments have not devolved enough taxation powers. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most states only permit local bodies to collect property taxes and water tariffs, but not land tax or tolls, which can provide more substantial revenues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Functionaries:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> According to the Standing Committee on Rural Development, there is a severe<\/span><b> lack of support staff and personnel in panchayats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.This affects their functioning and delivery of services by them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Poor Infrastructure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 25 percent of the <\/span><b>Gram Panchayats do not have basic office buildings.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The database for planning, monitoring etc., are lacking in most of the cases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Structural deficiencies:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> No secretarial support and lower levels of technical knowledge which <\/span><b>restricted the aggregation of bottom up planning.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Presence of Panch-Pati and Proxy representation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in case of women and SC\/STs representatives respectively. (At 1.4 million, India has the most women in elected positions).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Impact of Seat Rotation on Female Political Careers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Women representatives have identified the <\/span><b>policy of rotation of reserved seats every five years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a barrier to the <\/span><b>continuation of their political careers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the rotation of seats, female candidates are not able to gain from their experience from one term to the next, and they end up returning to their roles at home after a single term in office.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Concern pertaining to SFC (State Finance Commission):<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Delay in Constituting SFC: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Out of 26 states, only <\/span><b>nine states have constituted 6th State Finance Commissions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and out of them, only two are active. Some states have not even constituted 4th and 5th Finance Commissions.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This leads to the <\/span><b>local self-governments being deprived of their legitimate share<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the <\/span><b>Consolidated Fund of the State.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Non-Availability of Data:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The non-availability of data related to local government hampers the workings of SFCs.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every time an SFC is constituted, it has to start from scratch to collect data.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Lack of expertise of SFC:\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of the members and chairpersons of the SFCs are bureaucrats and politicians.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This puts<\/span><b> limitations on the ability of the SFC to act as an autonomous body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make recommendations in a free and independent manner.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Government Initiatives to Strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>e-Gram Swaraj e-Financial Management System:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is a <\/span><b>Simplified Work Based Accounting Application for PRI <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that assists in enhancing the credibility of Panchayat through inducing greater devolution of funds to PRIs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) Scheme: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>integrates various interventions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within the MoPR and across sectors, employing participatory local planning at the Gram Panchayat level.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It envisions the <\/span><b>holistic development of villages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, transforming them into <\/span><b>Adarsh Grams.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Panchayat Development Index (PDI): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To measure the progress on LSDGs and to <\/span><b>carry out assessment to prepare evidence-based policy,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> MoPR constituted a Committee to prepare mechanisms for computation of PDI.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gram Urja Swaraj Abhiyaan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> MoPR has collaborated with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to include the Gram Panchayats under all its schemes <\/span><b>focusing on adoption of renewable energy.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAG has established it as a centre of excellence for<\/span><b> capacity building of local government auditors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the national and the international levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100.2%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>Best Practices in Panchayati Ra Institution Implementation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Andhra Pradesh:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It established a <\/span><b>village secretariat to effectuate better service delivery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>broadening participatory democracy.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Karnataka: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It created a <\/span><b>separate bureaucratic cadre <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for Panchayats to<\/span><b> get away from the practice of deputation of officials<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who often overpowered the elected representatives.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Minimum Qualification Standards for Panchayat Elections:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> States like Rajasthan and Haryana have set certain minimum qualification standards for Panchayat elections which can <\/span><b>help in improving the effectiveness of governance mechanisms.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Way Forward to Grassroot Governance in India<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Devolving 3Fs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 State governments should make adequate efforts to <\/span><b>devolve funds, functions, and functionaries to panchayats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for them to <\/span><b>effectively plan economic development and social justice schemes.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Standing Committee on Rural Development recommended that<\/span><b> states devolve subjects like fuel and fodder, non-conventional energy sources, small scale industries including food processing industries, technical training, etc. to panchayats.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Timely Establishment of State FC:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prompt establishment of SFCs, <\/span><b>avoiding the sizable delays<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that occur currently, assumes importance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>SFCs can strengthen the financial position of PRIs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and help them in better delivery of their responsibilities for upliftment of the rural economy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Following Principle of Subsidiarity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It means that<\/span><b> higher levels of government should perform only those functions that cannot be effectively performed at the local level.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, the basic services must be provided to the citizens by the PRIs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Local Revenue Generation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PRIs can improve local revenue generation and use their limited resources more efficiently and effectively through measures such as <\/span><b>transparent budgeting <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>fiscal discipline, active involvement of the local community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> etc.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) , the Velpur Gram Panchayat (GP) in the Nizamabad district in Telangana has demonstrated effective revenue generation from internal sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Social Empowerment Must Precede Political Empowerment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Clear mechanisms to ensure that States comply with the constitutional provisions, particularly in the appointment and implementation of the recommendations of the SFCs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Capacity Building for Self-Governance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes <\/span><b>training to local representatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 to <\/span><b>develop expertise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so that <\/span><b>they contribute more in planning <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><b> implementation of policies and programmes.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improving Participation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Standing Committee on Rural Development recommended that <\/span><b>state governments should put a quorum in gram sabha meetings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for participation of panchayat representatives, including women.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Technology in Local Governance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Information and\u00a0 Communication\u00a0 Technology\u00a0 (ICT) comprising digital tools and technologies, revolutionizes governance by <\/span><b>enhancing communication, transparency, service delivery, and citizen engagement.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through\u00a0 the\u00a0 internet\u00a0 and mobile technology, PRIs can <\/span><b>communicate efficiently, disseminate vital information, and engage citizens even in remote areas.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Digital platforms aid in <\/span><b>\u00a0transparent data sharing, planning, and analysis,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while data analytics systems facilitate evidence-based decision-making.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Sampoorna Swaraj Foundation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has developed a <\/span><b>navigated learning system <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">curates <\/span><b>specialised learning activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for each learner to facilitate their journey to the required level of knowledge and skill.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s<\/span><b> local governance system needs to be empowered in all three areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure that <\/span><b>power truly rests with the people<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not just on paper, but also in practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<span class=\"vc_button\"><b>Also Read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/rbi-on-panchayati-raj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RBI Report On Finance Of Panchayati Raj In India<\/span><\/a><\/span>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.402%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Mains Question: <\/b><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/the-panchayats-extension-to-the-scheduled-areas-act-pesa-1996-was-enacted-with-a-view-to-conserving-local-traditions-and-cultural-practices-of-the-tribal-people-in-this-context-discuss-the-key-fea-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas Act (PESA), 1996 was enacted with a view to conserving local traditions and cultural practices of the tribal people. In this context discuss the key features of the PESA Act and what are the challenges in its implementation? (250 words, 15 Marks)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.33%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 36px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 3579.53%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 36px;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Must Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 54.4983%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/ncert-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCERT Notes For UPSC<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 3525.03%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 54.4983%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/blogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UPSC Blogs<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 3525.03%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UPSC Daily Editorials<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 54.4983%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 3525.03%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daily Main Answer Writing<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 54.4983%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-previous-year-papers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 3525.03%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; height: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UPSC Test Series 2024<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strengthening Panchayati Raj in India: Examines evolution, challenges, and strategies for improving local governance and empowering grassroots governance development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":104080,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[2124],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/103859"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103859"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/103859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104056,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/103859\/revisions\/104056"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103859"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=103859"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=103859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}