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Innovation in local governance: a case study of Durgapur Gram Panchayat’s efforts in controlling tuberculosis

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Abstract

Studies on local government in India have so far focused on certain themes such as devolution of power, local government and poverty reduction, organisational dimensions, gender and inclusiveness, etc. What is missing in the literature is an analysis of the innovations brought about local governments themselves in spite of the limited autonomy that is provided to them by Union and State Governments. This paper hopes to initiate a discussion on this aspect of local government in India through a case study of Durgapur Gram Panchayat of Bardhaman district of the state of West Bengal. The paper analyses how the Gram Panchayat developed a successful model of combating tuberculosis within its jurisdictional area. Since tuberculosis is a major health problem in India the case study will also be of interest to the scholars and planners of public health policy.

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Notes

  1. See in this connection the Sixth report of the Second Administrative Reform Commission (GOI 2007).

  2. Mouza is a revenue village.

  3. Sishu Siksha Kendra (SSK) and Madhyamik Siksha Kendra (MSK) are low-cost primary school and secondary school respectively set up by the state government at the demand of the local community and with the initiative of the local panchayat. They are run by the local community with support from the gram panchayat and are funded and overseen by the government. Teachers of SSK are recruited from among local educated women. They are paid honoraria. These non-mainstream schools were set up to meet the demand for enrolment quickly.

  4. Sansad is coterminous with a constituency (or ward) of the Gram Panchayat. It is village assembly of all the voters of a constituency. This assembly meets at least twice a year. Thus it is the gram sabha at the ward level. The Panchayat Act of West Bengal has given some powers to the gram sansad.

  5. Upa samiti means Sub Committee. There are 5 upa samitis or standing committees of gram panchayat. Each Upa Samiti is given the charge of several subject matters, such as finance, public works, agriculture, industry, education, women and child development, public health etc. Each upa samiti has a convener. Its members, including the convener are drawn from among the members of the GP.

  6. ‘Sahai’ (State Action Against Hunger and Inequality) is the name of a scheme run by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of Government of West Bengal. Under this scheme cooked food may be supplied to the destitute and sick people who are unable to survive without external support.

References

  • Bhattacharya, D (2013) Centralised decentralisation: left front and Panchayati Raj in West Bengal (1978–2013). Dialogue 15(2):114–128

  • Dutta N (2013) India has the most number of Cases of Tuberculosis in the world: WHO’ in The Health Site, Oct 25, http://health.india.com/diseases-conditions/india-has-the-most-number-of-tuberculosis-cases-in-the-world-who/. Accessed on 18 Feb 2014

  • Ghosh B (2013) ‘West Bengal’ in status of Panchayati Raj in the states and Union Territories of India. Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi

  • Government of India, Second Administrative Reform Commission, Sixth Report (2007) Local governance: an inspiring journey into the future, New Delhi

  • Shah A, Thompson T, Zou H (2004) The impact of decentralisation on service delivery, corruption, fiscal management and growth in developing and emerging economies: a synthesis of empirical evidence. Available online at www.cesifo-group.de/DocDL/dicereport104-forum2.pdf. Accessed on 18 Feb 2014

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Acknowledgments

The field-work for this study was made possible through a grant from Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. The authors would like to thank Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of Panchayats and Rural Development, West Bengal, staff of CARE West Bengal, members and staff of Durgapur Gram Panchayat, health volunteers, former tuberculosis patients and respondents in the villages of Durgapur GP and who gave their valuable time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Social Sciences, Kolkata, India

    Madhulika Mitra, Debraj Bhattacharya & Buddhadeb Ghosh

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  1. Madhulika Mitra
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  2. Debraj Bhattacharya
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  3. Buddhadeb Ghosh
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Correspondence to Debraj Bhattacharya.

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Mitra, M., Bhattacharya, D. & Ghosh, B. Innovation in local governance: a case study of Durgapur Gram Panchayat’s efforts in controlling tuberculosis. Decision 41, 229–238 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40622-014-0037-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40622-014-0037-1

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