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ThesisItem Open Access Impact of Panchayati Raj Institutions on Socio-Economic Development of Rural Households in Himachal Pradesh(palampur, 2022-07-18) Ghabru, Mahima Gopal; Lal, HarbansPanchayati Raj Institutions inter-alia have initiated the process of socio-economic development of rural areas by ensuring participatory management of masses and implementation of various social upliftment and poverty alleviation schemes. They are expected to bring radical transformation in rural areas through holistic agricultural and institutional development. In a state like Himachal Pradesh where majority of the population lives in rural areas this study becomes more relevant as PRIs embrace every aspect of rural life and are considered as harbingers of democracy and guardians of the village community. Therefore, present study was conducted to examine and analyze the role and impact of Panchayati Raj Institutions on the rural households in the four districts viz., Solan and Una (developed districts), Chamba and Sirmaur (under-developed districts) of Himachal Pradesh using both primary and secondary data. Multistage random sampling technique was employed and a total sample of 8 blocks, 40 panchayats/villages and 200 sample respondents was selected. The findings of the study put forth that in all the selected panchayats meetings of Gram Sabha were scheduled four times annually but the quorum was not met more than two times in most of the selected panchayats. The study employed Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to devise the development index for various selected panchayats. Fifteen per cent (6 no.) of panchayats primarily of Una and Solan districts were very highly developed and 22.50 per cent (9 no.) panchayats were highly developed while all the less developed panchayats were from Chamba and Sirmaur district showing that these panchayats still lag behind in developmental indicators. It was observed that around 29.50 per cent respondents from developed districts and 26.50per cent respondents from under-developed districts respectively were ready to pay for conservation of natural resources while 20.50 and 23.50 per cent respondents from developed and under-developed districts were unwilling to pay for resource conservation as they felt it would not be utilized effectively. In under-developed districts as the bid value increased the willingness to pay decreased. The study also put forth the different source of income for panchayats in which maximum share was of external sources i.e. Funds under Centre Sponsored Schemes like MGNREGA, PMAY, NRLM, etc. and funds from Finance Commission, across majority panchayats. Panchayats generated lot of income from various internal sources in which maximum share was contributed by liquor cess followed by house/land tax across all sample panchayats. Panchayats were effectively utilizing funds available with them by community asset creation, land development, sanitation, water supply, electrification, and welfare etc. Respondents in the study area felt that various activities were adequately being done by panchayats but there was scope for improvement by ensuring more transparency in their working, by timely execution of works and ensuring that works to be done in the panchayat area are taken up with the consent of all people. Therefore it is felt that by ensuring capacity building of panchayat representatives, recruitment of technical and support staff and by creating awareness among masses about the importance of gram sabhas and their participation in them could lead to holistic and effective socio-economic development in rural areas.
