Gram Swaraj-Project Overview

Karnataka has been in the forefront of administrative decentralization and devolution of powers to the Panchayats as envisaged in the Constitution. It has been observed that the Panchayat Raj Institution structure in Karnataka has now been stabilized and strengthened with three elections. However, to make them truly institutions of local self- governments, there is a need to provide Gram Panchayats with additional resources and also encourage them to raise resources commensurate to their needs and increase their capacity to utilize the resources. Resources utilized towards services that are prioritized locally would lead to greater satisfaction among the local population. The project gives special emphasis to improve the service delivery by Gram Panchayats particularly with respect to the management of public resources and the delivery of services that the local people prioritize and decide. The strategy to achieve this development objective is through developing the capacity of the Institutions at all three tiers of district (Zilla), block (Taluka) and village (Grama) Panchayats, by imparting training to PRI members and functionaries. The project will be implemented in 1343 GPs in 39 ‘Most Backward Taluks’ identified in the Nanjundappa Committee Report.

Project Objectives

The major objective of the project in the 39 ‘Most Backward Taluks’ is to provide them opportunities towards improving their present conditions particularly with respect to the management of public resources and the delivery of relevant services that the rural people prioritize. In order to achieve this objective, the project would: Build capacity in the Grama Panchayats (GPs), Taluka Panchayats (TPs) and Zilla Panchayats (ZPs) Improve framework and guidelines for own revenue collection.Provide formula-based Block grants to 1343 GPs in the ‘Most Backward Talukas’