IASSI-Quarterly

Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been functioning as ‘institutions of selfgovernment’. PRIs are responsible for planning and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice. For decentralisation to be successful, local planning process needs strengthening. It potential to cater to the needs of people, and to foster inclusive development is not fully realised. The efforts to strengthen decentralised planning continued over the years in India. In recent years, Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) gave momentum to the local planning process. This aspect has got further impetus in Telangana statewith initiation of GramaJyothi program.

This paper is based on an action research initiative on decentralised governance in Telangana state by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Division for Child Studies (Centre for Economic and Social Studies), Telangana State Institute of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (TSIPARD) and Department of Panchayat Raj. It is argued in this paper that Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) is an important instrument for the inclusive development. The paper examines ‘In what ways local planning can contribute to inclusive development?’ by examining the case of Lingareddypally Gram Panchayat in Siddipet district of Telangana State in preparation and implementation of GPDP in the last three years. The key findings from the action research are: GPDP presents a huge opportunity for the GP to synchronize its plan with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For this to happen, planning process needs to be strengthened. The issues of women and children, and vulnerable groups should get priority. The planning process should overcome syndrome of planning for FFC grants and explore options for mobilisation of funds through departmental convergence and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. And finally, there shall be monitoring on the implementation of plans.