PGC has been active in making local government bodies as authentic institutions of self-governments through newsletters, regional seminars, and meeting and lobbying with the members of the State Legislature, members of the Planning Commission and also with the State-level Panchayat Presidents´ Association.
AREDS set up the People’s Governance Cell (PGC) in1997 soon after the Right to Information Act came into being. AREDS took active interest in promoting awareness among Panchayat leaders and voters about their rights and realized that PGC is the appropriate instrument for the works through which the grass root level democracy is strengthened. PGC focused on utilising the Right to Information Act for educating the members and leaders of the local bodies and organised seminars in Thirunelveli, Karur and Chengalput towns in the state of Tamil Nadu on this issue. The representatives from the local trade unions participated in these seminars and offered their valuable suggestions. One of the major resolutions passed in these seminars was to call upon the Government of Tamil Nadu to amend the Right to Information Act in a suitable manner to bring about transparency in the functioning of the Government and ensure its accountability.
Context
Local self-governments are a dynamic means to bring in elements of participatory democracy into the domain of grassroots formal democracy. The 73rd amendment has given way to the decentralisation of powers and the movement for downward planning and accountability. In the current context, these primary governments are purposefully made subservient to the State arms and these vital little republics are widely ignored or sidelined. Tourism has to depend on Panchayats for all its existence needs-land, water, natural resources and nature itself - with its ecological strategic Setting. The present paradigm of development is widely ignored; the local governance units and the local people are intentionally exploiting the natural resources with insensitive top down planning. Tourism is intending to capitalise the nature potentials and cash in the name of eco-tourism and nature tourism. The Tourism department that is supposed to take into consideration ground realities before planning does not at all recognize the role and responsibilities of Panchayats. Tourism industry on its own with its capital – centred as well as profit- intended background is not at accordance with the Panchayat. The 29 subjects devolved to the Panchayat have largely not incorporated in the practical operational space and remain a wish list of the Panchayat. The line departments with adequate backing of functionaries grab these subjects. The basic pillars for efficient governance-powers, functions and functionaries are not adequately delegated to the Panchayat bodies. Despite these entire pessimistic notes, the ray of hope is that leveraging with the 29 subjects of the11th schedule; Panchayats should proactively determine the functional arenas and try to assert their rights. While doing so, even if it is confronted with emerging conflicts, it should deal with those confrontations. The provision of constitution of specific purpose committees, the charter of sustainable development, practical guidelines for operation of any industry including tourism industry are the available options so as to put tourism industry and Panchayats in an equal platform and this symmetry, if seen benefiting the local communities, could be pursued.
Organization details
About People’s Governance Cell (PGC)
AREDS initiated PGC in 1997 soon after the Right to information Act came into being AREDS took active interest in promoting awareness among Panchayat leaders and voters for their rights and were instrumental in forming the PGC for strengthening Grass roots Democracy. The Focus of PGC is to utilize right to information at the Panchayat level.
Objectives:
• Conduct a state level study of the experience of first term PRI in Tamil Nadu and disseminate the document to
interested groups and use the document for lobbying activities. To evolve strategies and action plans
to make decentralizing and participatory planning a reality in Tamil Nadu
• To facilitate the process towards making local bodies as institutions of self-government.
• Documentation of both secondary and primary sources of information related to decentralized planning,
peoples participation, good governance etc. and to disseminate in a popular form.
• To educate and promote grassroots’ levels and good governance.
• To ensure right to information to make local bodies as institutions of self-government.
• To equip legislators to involve in the planning process more concretely.
2001 was the year, the state had to dissolve the first term local bodies since the term was completing and conduct a new election for the second term for the entire three tier Panchayat, Municipalities and corporations. So PGC prepared to involve in the following areas:
1. Evaluating the first term of the local bodies successful functions and the impact on the People’s Socio-economic and Political governance within the Panchayat constituency.
2. Conducting Observation and Desk Studies on local bodies.
3. Publishing the study documents and other related in formations on local bodies to NGOs, Panchayat president Association members, related government departments and interested groups.
4. Lobbying with the State to endow more powers to the local bodies.
5. Providing pre election training to the members who are contesting in the second term election through NGOs and peoples movement.
6. Organizing Trainers of training to the NGOs on Election Strategy and rules and regulations.
PGC brings out a newsletter in Tamil, which provides information about various Orders relating to local governments, the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Central Government issue from time to time, as well as other information that are specific to the Panchayats. PGC is at present making efforts to form Panchayat Associations all over Tamil Nadu for ascertaining people’s right at grassroots level as an important step for proper functioning of grassroots democracy.
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