The lessons from SWARAJ for improving Panchyatiraj By Arvind Kejriwal Presenter Dhanada Mishra

The Disease witin There are many ills we see around us everyday in our country even after more than 60 years of independence Many of them related to basic necessaities of life such as education, health, housing, food, clothing and drinking water etc. Studies like ASER and PAHELI of Pratham and census data of Government show continuing deprivation on a large scale For example, more than 50% of rural students in class V are unable to read a class II level text in their mother tongue as per ASER 2012 which shows a declining trend over last 3 years. Healthcare statistics measured by infant mortality, maternal mortality, nutrition etc. indicate similar picture. Its not much better in case of proportion of households living in Kutcha houses or having to do with out sanitation and safe drinking water.

The People have 'No SAY' There is an overwhelming feeling among the common citizen that they have 'NO SAY' No control over Public Servants No control or say over Public Funds No say over Law-making or Policies No control over local Natural resources Its as if the 'dream of true self-rule' or Swaraj is yet to be realised

The Symptoms Vs. Disease The abysmal social indicators are symptoms of the disease underneath, which is lack of a 'Direct Democracy' at the grass-roots level The British left and Indian leaders and buraucrats replaced them at the top but the System of Governance has been very slow to change As a result the common people are still not truly 'Empowered' in a heavily 'Top-Down' Governance Model

The Symptoms Vs. Disease The abysmal social indicators are symptoms of the disease underneath, which is lack of a 'Direct Democracy' at the grass-roots level The British left and Indian leaders and buraucrats replaced them at the top but the System of Governance has been very slow to change As a result the common people are still not truly 'Empowered' in a heavily 'Top-Down' Governance Model

The Shortcomings of Current Panchayatiraj System Tree Plantation drive in Bhondsi village - Haryana The Problems of NREGA – Gajapati Episode Panchayat can not even buy 'Brooms' - UP City Garbage in Kuthambakkam - TN Panchayat Secretary serves State Government not the Panchayat BRGF – Collector's discretion not people's Ward No. 45, Bhubaneswar

Examples of Other Countries Walmart in America Budget Made on the Street – Brazil A Parliament runs on People's Will – Switzerland YES – Direct Democracy works Abroad and it also works in INDIA – but few and far between

SWADESHI Islands of SWARAJ Hivre Bazzar in Maharastra – Transformation of a panchayat North Kerala Village – A Case Study Madhya Pradesh's New Law – A Miracle! YES – It can be DONE in INDIA

WHAT SHOULD CHANGE? GRAMSABHA directly empowered to Control local public servants, e.g., teacher, Anganwadi workers, panchayat employees, health workers etc. Direct control over Government Funds most of which should be in un-tied form Control of local minor natural resources including water, land, minerals and forest produce Distribution of works, resources and responsibilities at various levels of Panchayatiraj

When People Decide Education will improve Health will improve Naxalism will be tackled Alcoholism can be tackled Will reduce Poverty, Hunger and Unemployment

Some Mis-conceived Apprehensions Empowering Gramsabhas will Increase Corruption Fight Amongst people Fear of 'Khap Panchayat' style culture What about PESA Act

Pratical Steps for Panchayatiraj The Gramsabha should be supreme Sarpanch need to report to GS rather than DM GS should take all decisions and they should be final GS should authorise action against sarpanch GS should have the power to recall sarpanch All village work should be done by Gramsabha Village level Govt workers should report to GS At least 50% of state budget should be placed at the disposal of the Gramsabha as untied funds

Pratical Steps for Panchayatiraj Gramsabha should have control over Block Samiti and District Parishad by nominating its representives successively Provision of election of members at large should be scrapped GS should have control over policy making at Assembly and Parliament through initiative GS's Right to official Information Gramsabha should approve all bills and initiate criminal case in case of corruption in works Right to grant liquor and mining license

Pratical Steps for Panchayatiraj Gramsabha should have control over tax collection in its area of jurisdiction All land acquisition should be through the Gramsabha process All land documents should be held at the panchayat level and all transactions should be publicly displayed periodically Gramsabha should control all natural resources The common certificates such as caste, domicile etc. should be issued at panchayat level

Pratical Steps for Panchayatiraj Gramsabha should have transparency in keeping all its records and make them available to public suo-moto All villages should have their own panchayats rather than multiple villages meeting in a single panchayat or gramsabha unless they themselevs want to Special benefits group or councils should be formed to protect minority groups Lokpals should be formed to oversee proper functioning of panchayats State Government interference should be minimised

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