Problems and Prospects of Panchayat Finances: A Study of Common Land

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

This study discusses the concept of common land, how it was started and what was the main purpose of having panchayat lands in the villages. Encroachment on common land has made the panchayats to depend on the govt. grants. Causes of unauthorised occupation of panchayat lands exiting legal provision and their implementation has also been examined.

The present book has also suggested measures for removing the illegal possession and tapping additional sources of revenue. Issues of enhancing the finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions have also been addressed.

DR. SURAT SINGH obtained Ph.D degree in Political Science in 1984. Presently, Dr. Singh is with Haryana Institute of Rural Development, Nilokheri as Senior Faculty. He was associated with NIRD, Hyderabad for a decade in different capacities. Dr. Singh has completed a large number of research project sponsored by Govt. of India, Govt. of Haryana and other Organisations. Some of the projects are: status of Panchayati raj in Delhi, Encroachment on Common Land and Panchayat Finances; Women Representatives in PRIS; National social assistance Programmes etc. Some of his other books are Facets of Development in Rural Society (1997); Women Panchayati Raj Representatives in Haryana (1998) etc. Dr. Singh has published about 30 research article in different journals of eminence. He has presented a paper on "Community Participation in Risk Management" in an International Conference held in Sweden.

Smooth functioning of Government at all levels needs a sound financial system. In a democratice system, evolution of sound financial system is imperative because the masses begain to regard this as a criterion for judging the success or failure of the system. Panchayati Raj Finances means the system of governing, raising and spending of money in these institutions. In Haryana, the common land or the panchayat land is the important source of income of panchayats. The villlage Common Land Act is the legislative measure to make it an important source of income for the Panchayats be conferring proprietary rights of the panchayats on common lands. But because of encroachment most of the villages could not make proper use of this source. Illegal possession on common land or 'shamlat del' have become a common feature. Thousands of cases are pending unattended in different courts. This study has tried to highlight such issues involved in encroachment.

It is this theme which is the take-off point of this study Further, in the absence of sufficient resources, Panchayati Raj institutions find it difficult to run the administration properly. Interview of variety of responsibilities of PRIS in providing water supply, roads, streets school and taking up new development projects etc., it is necessary toenhance the finances of PRIS. So, these vital issues are of vital importance to be addressed.

This study was aimed to be intensive a wide range of variables was covered and a variety of information has been provided. It is hoped this study would arouse interest in this field and provoke further research.

I am grateful to the Haryana State Finance Commission for sponsoring this study and providing necessary information.

**Contents and Sample Pages**