Dear Development Partners
Greetings
The foundation of any democracy lies in the participation of its people, the more participatory the public is the more vibrant the democracy becomes, however the participation should not be superficial it has to be dedicated and definitive, which can be ensured by encouraging participation from the root level i.e. the rural population which is the backbone of our democracy. Certainly this goal can be achieved only by strengthening our Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats which can be done by ensuring “good governance”. As we know governance is an integral part of developmental journey since it ensures good and responsible decision making. Good governance leads an organization to a positive path through right decisions. The very objective of the International centre of Governance Society is to pave way for good governance in panchayati raj system as it is the main pillar of our democratic system.To achieve the goal of good governance at grass root level we have adopted two prong stategy: one, training and awards to panchayat representatives and another, evaluation and monitoring of the developmental schemes through on governmental organizations. Our focus state is Jharkhand because it has been the victim of non governance right from the time of its creation.
To achieve the goal of good governance we have established a governance training centre in state capital for the training of panchayat representatives and we are also going to build up a strong NGO network across the state so that we can evaluate and monitor the performance of panchayati raj institutions at grass root level.
Training will be helpful in capacity building of the panchayat representatives and evaluation and monitoring will help us to know the exact developmental scenerio of the state.
Evaluation and Monitoring by local level non governmental organization will not only ensure participation of grass root level people in decision making and policy formulation but at the same time assurance of proper implementation of the schemes which leads to the establishment of good governance at grass root level.
We are going to do some experiments in the development field as we are going to empanel newly registered non governmental organization with young educated people of rural background in our network so that we can get new ideas from them and also inculcate new ideas in them through training, workshop and seminars. We will empower them through participatory training.
They will not only be involved in evaluation and monitoring of the projects but will also help in implementation of different schemes and acts like social security schemes, right to education act, right to service act, right to information act etc. in rural areas. Proper implementation of these schemes will be a check on callous approach of government officials and pave way to good governance.
As we know our democracy is elite democracy means decisions are taken at top level, policies are formulated in air conditioned rooms with the nexus of politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists and being imposed on the general masses but we are going to opt subaltern developmental approach in which decision process will begin from below, planning will be done at grass root level and forward it to upper level for sanction and pressure will be put on them through various pressure group for the sanction of the projects . Grass root level non governmental organizations will work as a catalyst in grass root level planning process and also as pressure group on sanctioning authority.
I hope you all will extend your helping hand with full vigor and vitality.
With regards.
Dr. Suvendu Jaipuriar,
Secretary