DEVELOPMENT GOVERNANCE : Dynamics of Panchayat Raj in a Tribal Areas
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Adivasi communities have historically been self-governing societies. Community affairs, including major issues like regulation of access to natural resources and dispute settlements were regulated by the village community. While the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA) does provide for some of these functions, Gram Panchayats have been traditionally viewed by village communities as an extension of the state government rather than as a vehicle for empowerment of the community.
The study attempts to examine both these aspects of Panchayati Raj – whether the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayats really function as agencies for the upliftment of the depressed classes or whether they serves as a vehicle for the realisation of genuine self-governance.
Meena Dhodade is an adivasi activist associated with the Bhoomi Sena and Kashtakari Sangatna, mass organisations active among the adivasi people of Thane district in Maharashtra. She was recently elected as the first woman Sarpanch of Kondhan Village in Palghar, Thane.
Table of Contents:
1. A Profile of the Area
2. The Poor and Not so Poor
3. Who Benefits and Why?
4. Reality of Self-Governance
5. Our Village Our Government
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