Problems and prospects of empowerment of weaker sections in Grama Panchayaths in rural Karnataka Dr. Ashok V. Asst. Professor, Dept. of Sociology, Sahyadri Arts & Commerce College, Kuvempu University, Shivmoga, Karnataka Online published on 7 June, 2014. Abstract Local self governments existed in one form or another since antiquity. Panchayath Raj System was introduced in rural India, at least initially as instrument of economic and social development, the so-called community development programmes. Experience has shown however that in the existing unequal socioeconomic system upper-caste and upper-class people all along managed to monopolize higher positions in the system and that these positions were used and misused depending upon the exigencies of situation for self-aggrandizement. So much so, for a long time Panchayath Raj System became a mere puppet in the hands of the dominant caste in rural India. Working of this system had been plagued, among other things, by the penetration of party politics and Panchayath members were divided and subdivided almost along political party-lines, caste and class inequalities only added to this. Political rivalries, corruption, nepotism, violence and gross misuse of government funds meant to be used for ameliorating the conditions of the downtrodden have been confirmed by the increasing body of evidence brought out by studies. This has become a matter of serious concern of enlightened leadership but also made them rethink about the whole experimentation of democratic decentralization. Following 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment, Panchayath Raj System was put on the path of reforms. Reforms have to do, among other things, two basic issues – 1) including the hitherto excluded that reservation of seats for Sc, ST and socially and economically backward population – OBC and women and hence Panchayath Raj system was used as instrument of affirmative action. In other words, deepening the process of democracy at the village level, 2) people's participation in the decision-making process, policy formulation, implementation, and taking the government benefits and services to the target-population. By these amendments the scope and significance of Panchayath Raj institution got extended beyond the pale of development. Top |