Abstract

Objectives: The main objectives of the study are as follows: To critically analyze the performance of the PRIs in West Bengal during the period 1990-1991 to 1997-1998 and 1998-99 to 2013-2014 in terms of receipts and expenditures and utilization rates. To analyze the allocation of released funds to different sectors and utilization of funds for the state.

Methods: In this paper Kinked exponential trend analysis and Dicky-Fuller Unit ischolar_main test were used for estimation of conditional/unconditional growth rates for the whole period, for the two sub-periods and the estimated trend breaks as well as for testing stationary for the time series data.

Findings: As per the findings of our study, Panchyat Finance in West Bengal was heavily dominated by the Central Government. Only about 3 to 4% of all revenue of gram Panchyats in West Bengal was derived from own source category and 94% obtained from grants and transfer. Except in year 1993-94, the utilization rates were greater than 100%. It was very difficult to explain more than 100% utilization rate experienced over such a long period at a stretch. This was largely due to the poor quality and non- availability of accurate data, without which any evaluation of decentralization became very difficult.

Application/Improvements: This study was based on all tiers in the PRIs in West Bengal foras an aggregative long run analysis where the underlying estimated annual trends in total revenue and total expenditure and other details in regards to allocation of funds to the main sectors of the rural economy were elaborately discussed and policy issues were prescribed to make, village Panchayats closer to self-reliant.

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Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the performance of the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in West Bengal and other four states during the periods from 1990-1991 to 1997-1998 and from 2005-06 to 2012-2013 in terms of receipts and expenditures and utilization rates, to analyze the sectoral allocation out of total expenditure and utilization of funds for West Bengal and other four select states and finally to make a comparative study of the trend of total revenue and total expenditure of the PRIs in these states in between two different sub-periods.

Methods: Use of trend equitation’s (both conditional and unconditional depending upon the nature of the time series data), estimation of parameters and testing were used for data analysis and interpretation. In addition, some descriptive statistical techniques of data analysis were also applied in our study to analyse data and draw conclusions.

Findings: The study revealed that the Panchayat Raj Institutions shed very little fiscal autonomy and post 73rd amendment period could not alter the situation significantly at all albeit an improvement was noticed in the state of West Bengal in both the sub-periods and for Rajasthan and Gujarat each in the first and second sub periods respectively among five select states under study. The locally raised revenues were very negligible, with a high level of financial dependence and low level of fiscal autonomy still continue and these local bodies were bereft of any trait of self-governance. The transfers were made at the convenience and mercy of both state and central governments.

Application/Improvements: The policy implications arising from the study advocate that the critical question for long term sustainability of PRIs is closely linked to the success of its own resource generation capacity as well as infusing an omission and commission free democratic set up at the grassischolar_mains level.

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Objective: (1) To critically evaluate the effectiveness of these two flagship schemes in fulfilling and implementing the objectives as enshrined in the policy guidelines. (2) To make a comparative analysis of the performances of the schemes in two different political set up namely, the Left front ruled government and the Trinamool congress ruled government and lastly. (3) To make future policy recommendations.

Methodology: Meta-analysis using SPSS software package was meticulously done to decipher the financial lapses obtained from the voluminous unpublished audit reports on fifteen sample Panchayats. Meta-analysis actually helps summarizing the unclassified various observations. The model encompasses problem formulation, data collection, data evaluation, data analysis and interpretation and public presentation.

Findings: The reality check through this unique meta-analysis approach using data from the unpublished local audit reports of the respective village Panchayats with regards to the functioning of the two important flagship schemes namely, MGNREGS and IAY at disaggregated level during 2005-06 to 2015-16 in Bankura district, West Bengal revealed that their overall performances for both security of livelihood especially for providing enough man-days of employment and women empowerment were subversive in nature and not at all in commensurate with the stated objectives as enshrined in the guidelines. It became clear that during the left front rule not a single village Panchayat could fulfil this minimum criterion of providing 100 man-days of guaranteed employment and the situation during the TMC Rule did not improve rather deteriorates. The change in political establishments did not alter the situation significantly.

Application/Improvement: Meta-analysis approach for analysing the effectiveness of the two important flagship schemes is very rare and we have not come across this type of study so far.

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Objectives: (1) Compare and contrast the status of Self Economic Dependency Ratio (SEDR) in between two ideologically different political set up of fifteen select GPs in the district of Bankura in West Bengal. (2) Panel data regression analysis was carried out to unravel and explain, if possible, the variations of Self Economic Dependency Ratio ( SEDR) by the select Politico- Socio-Economic factors of the select village Panchayats, (2) and also to understand the relationship , if any, between the Grants-in-aid and the Self Economic Dependency Ratio (SEDR) of the Village Panchayats under study for verifying the existing literatures about the relationship between Grants-in-aid and Own Source Revenue (OSR) / economic development albeit with an alternative indicator namely, Self-Economic Dependency Ratio(SEDR) and finally (4) prescribing ways and means especially to the Government of West Bengal for bringing about more participatory and inclusive in nature traits into the system of Panchayat financing.

Methodology: In addition of conventional Desk research, field survey, Interview and Focus Group Discussions use of Panel data regression analysis with suitably chosen models using both STATA and SPSS software were meticulously used to arrive at important observations at the end.

Findings: In majority sample Panchayats (53.33%) growth rates in Total expenditure during the TMC ruled government became negative which was one of the important reasons for higher self-economic dependency ratio during the TMC ruled government in comparison to the Left front led government. On the issue of self-economic dependency ratio as an important indicator for strengthening own source revenue generation capacity to meet their own basic needs or as a signal of improvement in gram Panchayat finance has been witnessing marginal improvement over time and the change in political set up could only alter the situation marginally.Our panel data regression analysis found that SEDRs were negatively influenced by the percentage of Below Poverty Line Households and positively by the Political regimes. Thus a sign of improvement in terms of own source revenue generation capacity of the select village Panchayats was at least ushered in during the TMC ruled government. The relation between SEDR and Grants-in-aid was found to be negative and significant. Thus result (significant negative relation between SEDR and Grants-in-aid) did not support the earlier findings in the literature of Panchayat financing.

Application/Improvement: Using Panel data regression analysis to explain the variations of Self Economic Dependency Ratio (SEDR) by the select Politico- Socio-Economic Indicators, if any, of the select village Panchayats was undoubtedly a significant departure from the earlier studies. Elaborative study on the nature and pattern of own resource mobilization, Total expenditure and finally via an alternative and more effective indicator namely, Self-Economic Dependency Ratio (SEDR) under ideologically different political dispensations was also another distinctive feature of the study.

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