Training People's Representatives To Make Them Better Managers

The project demonstrates an alternative paradigm of capacity building of Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Gram Sabhas with the support of a professional team and through learning-by-doing.

The Spear Head Team (SHT), comprises 4 members and works in a cluster of 12 GPs with 23 villages. The results of the pilot are that on an average there has been a 5-times increase in fund for public works in each GP than the base year (2002-03). The increase in fund for livelihood activities through natural resources development is 23 times higher than the base year. The GPs have generated an average of Rs.25,000 annually as internal resources through imposing taxes on service users. This is significant in the situation where there was no practice of internal resource mobilization. There is increased awareness among the general public, which increased participation in the Gram Sabha and better clarity among the villagers and GPs about the road-map of village development as a result of preparation of village and panchayat perspective plans.

The problems with the present strategy of capacity building include: a) One training event during the elected life of the representative; b) Refresher course only in the case of amendment of the Act or if the Government issues a new set of notif ications/orders; c) Not all the representatives at each PRI level are covered; d) No special training organized for women and backward classes; e) No accountability of ensuring completion of training when the work is sub-contracted; f) Training consists of only giving information regarding the provisions of the Act. The skills required to fulfill the role and responsibility entrusted under the Act are not addressed; g) The trainer is unaware of the actual problems faced by the representatives and is unable to contextualize the training or help the representatives in finding solutions to their specific problems; h) No accountability of the rainer for the utilization of capacity created; i) Handholding or coaching support to the representatives is not envisaged; j) Training on the State Act on Panchayat Raj and their changed role and responsibility not provided to the functionaries of line department at any level; and, k) Issues of attitude are not tackled during training at any level with either the elected representatives or the functionaries of the line departments.

Progress in the Current Year

There is an increased access of public investment funds at the Gram Panchayat levels for natural resources development activities and livelihood promotion, which is a shift from construction- ased development to development of resources. The resource mobilization before the project intervention focused on other activities, which are more often than not, superimposed on the villages as per the planning of officials and departments from the District level. They do

not address the livelihood demands and needs of the community. During project intervention period, more resources were channeled to Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities. This resource flow is a direct manifestation of addressing the need of the community. Training for preparing village micro-plans.

Another important impact has been in the area of GPs mobilizing internal resources for developmental and maintenance activities, by imposing taxes on usage of water for irrigation from community tanks, on tap water connections, fishing rights from community tanks, service charge on cleaning of village market place and developing grain banks. This is encouraging, as there was no history of internal funds mobilization.

Another important impact has been in the area of GPs mobilizing internal resources for developmental and maintenance activities, by imposing taxes on usage of water for irrigation from community tanks, on tap water connections, fishing rights from community tanks, service charge on cleaning of village market place and developing grain banks. This is encouraging, as there was no history of internal funds mobilization.

Constant interactions with, and exposure visits of, Line Department functionaries have instilled a sense of responsibility in the GPs. This is evident from the regular presence of Anganwadi workers, teachers, Rural Agriculture Extension Officer, and higher coverage during pulse polio campaigns.

An increase in the awareness about what panchayats can and cannot do, procedures to get schemes in the village and preparation of village plans, is visible. Increase in number of members in Gram Sabhas, seriousness in discussions and follow-up of decisions are some of the elements that are gradually taking root.   Village micro-plans being implemented.

The village micro plans and the consolidated perspective Gram Panchayat plans have been prepared based on assessment of ground realities. The plan takes a holistic view from the angle of village livelihood and provides directions for the actions needed over a period of 5 years and the possible sources of funds, both external and internal. Attempts are being made to provide information about village development plans, including the beneficiaries and budget, on a common place in the village, for greater transparency.