Table 5.11 Professional Contacts of Agricultural Extension Workers in Karnataka
Institution
Percentage of respondents reporting contacts with institution (n = 37)
Gram panchayat
81
KVK/training center
32
Block panchayat
22
Rural bank
5
Local NGO District panchayat
5 3
Source: ISEC-TISS-IFPRI Survey 2008. Note: Results indicate responses to unprompted question, “During the past year, which institutions did you talk to or visit?” Multiple answers are possible.
women-specific needs as a reason to contact the gram panchayat. There was less interaction with panchayats at higher levels. Senior agricultural officers interacted with a wider group of actors and had more intensive interactions with the block and district panchayats than did agricultural extension workers (annex table 5A.6). One-quarter reported frequently interacting with members of the legislative assembly. The case study evidence suggests that the influence of members of the legislative assembly on public officials is enormous, mainly because of their power to transfer administrative staff. As one official in Block A1-A in Karnataka put it, “Anyway, we have to perform under instructions from the local member of the legislative assembly, who has powers to transfer us.” For veterinary assistants, there is evidence of some interactions with NGOs about addressing women-specific needs. Veterinary assistants also reported contacting NGOs for the transfer and dissemination of technology and the promotion of public-private partnerships. Similar to agricultural extension workers, veterinary assistants contacted the KVKs for technology transfer and dissemination and for training and capacity building. Farmers’ complaints about issues related to the work of veterinary assistants were communicated mainly during visits of the gram panchayat. Junior engineers reported interacting with gram, block, and district panchayats for a number of reasons, mainly related to the construction, rehabilitation, inspection, and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities; the management of water sources; the introduction and coordination of water and sanitation projects; and the preparation and submission of cost estimates. Except for the preparation and submission of cost estimates, most issues were more likely to be discussed with the gram panchayats. For cost estimates, the importance of the block and district panchayats likely reflect the budgetary authority of these institutions.
THE SHORT ROUTE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
125