THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ahead of the second edition of Peoples Plan, LDF government has something to cheer about in terms of participation in grama sabhas. According to Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) director P.P. Balan the participation in grama sabhas had increased significantly following the constitution of “ayal sabhas” or the neighbourhood meet. Those attending ayal sabhas are able to deliberate on local issues at length besides formalising beneficiary lists effectively for various government schemes. The ayal sabhas are instrumental in sending adequate number of representatives for grama sabha meetings.
Experts say increasing people’s participation in grama sabhas was a welcome trend. A study conducted in 2015 had revealed that only 20 per cent panchayts had high participation in grama sabhas, better performance in enrolment of volunteers, local level planning, project preparation, transparency, administrative efficiency and checking corruption. More than 50 per cent local bodies were extremely poor performers.
With the government now venturing on a mission mode integrating Peoples Plan with four mega missions; Ardram health mission, modernisation of Education, Haritha Kerlam for environment protection and Life for total housing, it badly requires committed officials, expertise of retired officials and devoted volunteers to implement schemes under these projects. Majority of the local bodies which figured in the list of non performers, have shown considerable improvement.
The performance of more than 60 per cent local bodies can be termed good in terms of high participation in grama sabhas. “Elected representatives from panchayat to district level have undergone capacity building training for the implementation of 13th Plan. The trainings are being held in batches of 150-200 for elected representatives and officials,” said Mr Balan. The Peoples Plan and the four missions require an army of volunteers and experts to make ground breaking changes in the health, education, environment and housing sectors.
