ABSTRACT
This chapter makes an attempt to provide a field level perspective by looking into the functioning of gram sabhas (GSs), gram panchayats (GPs), other local organizations and more importantly, opinions from the members of gram panchayats and the general public. It looks at the implications of direct versus indirect election of the adhyaksha of the gram panchayat. While the ambit of gram panchayat policy influence varies across Indian states, gram panchayats typically perform two distinct policy tasks. The first is beneficiary selection for central and state welfare schemes. Most schemes require that a minimum fraction of beneficiaries be Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The second area of gram panchayat policy activism is the construction and maintenance of village public goods such as street lights, roads and drains. There have been attempts made by the gram panchayats to identify the felt needs and aspirations of the people by holding gram sabha meetings.
