Field Verification in Connection with Selection of Panchayats for Award Under The Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) (16 GPs in Uttar Pradesh or UP)
Principal Researchers:
Dr. Ramashray Singh
Theme: Governance and Institutions
Sponsors: Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India
Aims & Objectives: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of RGPSA was launched to strengthen Panchayati Raj and IHD was empaneled by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to evaluate the Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats for Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar.
Methodology: IHD conducted the activities below and a detailed report was prepared.
- Surveyed 7 districts of UP namely; Jaunpur, Basti, Kushi Nagar, Maharaj Ganj, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar and Gorakhpur;
- Checked the frequency of Gram Sabha meetings and its adherence to norms concerning reservations for women and their participation;
- Examined whether the Panchayats maintained regular and systematic records;
- Documented the best practices adopted and the discussions with the beneficiaries in different locations; and
- Recorded the innovative practices of the Panchayats, their implementation of basic social security programmes, cleanliness different institutions such as schools and Anganwadi Centers etc.