Rural Transformation and Peoples Entitlements

West Bengal Panchayat Elections 1993: A Study in Participation is based on field surveys in West Bengal, during and after the May 1993 Panchayat elections. This study offers a critical analysis of the extent of popular participation in the Panchayat election process and the working of the Panchayat institutions. The authors base their analysis primarily on the state''s successful and longstanding experience with local self governance since 1978, when the PRIs were resurrected, almost as it were, from the ashes. Among other things, the study succinctly points out that the panchayats have taken deep roots in West Bengal and holding of regular elections together with active participation of political parties have significantly contributed to the institutionalisation of local government in rural areas. At the same time, the study has noticed lack of adequate participation of the common people in the activities and programmes of the panchayats.