Do Local Democratic Institutions Promote Citizens’ Participation? - A Case Study of Gram Sabhas in Odisha
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25175/jrd/2024/v43/i4/172824Keywords:
Gram Sabhas, Panchayats, Participation, Legal Provisions, Devolution, Odisha.Abstract
How do local democratic institutions reinforce the participation of citizens in the local-level decision-making processes? What potential challenges might citizens face while interacting with local democratic institutions? This paper critically examines the working of gram sabhas as local democratic institutions and their role in encouraging the direct involvement of citizens in local democracy in Odisha. The gram sabhas have been institutionalised in rural areas and are involved in fostering participation of citizens and shaping their views and experiences. These institutions have emerged as important spaces for encouraging citizens’ participation in decision-making processes. The legal provisions enacted by the state in many ways have influenced the working of these institutions. However, the field-level findings, based on a primary survey conducted in 16 villages of Odisha, suggest that the institutional arrangement of gram sabhas and devolving powers to them has faced certain challenges. After three decades of constitutional reforms, the role of these institutions in promoting citizens’ participation has not entirely been successful. Despite a better level of citizens’ awareness about this institution, the level of participation remains low. On this basis, this paper proposes a few alternative strategies to enhance the role of gram sabhas as important democratic institutions promoting citizens’ participation. This can be done effectively through democratic transformation and ensuring equity and fairness in participation and implementation of important decisions.
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