Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
6. The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India envisaged ass as important self-governing entities, but their performance has been mixed, marked by both successes and limitations. Critically examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
Three decades have passed since the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments Acts came into effect, which envisaged that local bodies in India would function as institutions of local self government.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the performance of PRIs, their successes and shortcomings.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about the aims and objectives of 73rd Constitution Amendment Act.
Body:
First, write in detail about how political decentralisation has been a success with respect to PRI’s. Write about the various achievements of these bodies.
Next, write about various shortcomings of PRIs decentralisation – lack of funds, issues with CSS, lack of agency to generate own revenues, overlapping functions with state government, absence of a proper workforce, accountability issues etc.
Next, suggest measures to overcome the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
