Governing at the grassroots : empowering the Panchayats in Uttar Pradesh

This document describes the experiences of the PSU Foundation in Uttar Pradesh, India, with community involvement in the India Rural water sector over the past 10 years. It is emphasized that community managed projects are now seen as the alternative to ensure sustained operation and maintenance. The PSU has been looking into various options, mainly under the auspices of the Indo-Dutch bilateral cooperation in the water and sanitation sector. In the process it has evolved a network of hand pump based Jal Samitis and Pradhans forums as grassroots institutions.

The 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution and the devolution of the development process to the grassroots Panchayat system, is seen as holding great promise for the success of these institutions and community managed projects aiming at a decentralized system of planning, implementation and maintenance. Increasing women's involvement in the development sector, as reflected by their enhanced representation in the Panchayat system, is also seen as a concern. However, it is emphasized that a transition of such a magnitude and with such deep rooted implications calls for careful preparation and orientation of both the community and its elected representatives. It is against this background that this study has been commissioned in order to formulate a strategy for equipping the newly elected Panchayats, especially the women representatives, to function as an effective local government institution. The study itself was also conducted against the perspective of the experiences of states like Kerala and West Bengal.