Capacity Assessment and Capacity Development Strategy Report
Thus, empowering stakeholders and ensuring utilization/claiming of space provided by the statutes for democratic functioning of PRIs will need a wider canvas and a component of development communication for spreading awareness among stakeholders for strengthening Gram Sabhas, Palli Sabhas, SCs, and the people at large. The essential components of such a strategy will have: •
Need assessment—to define current awareness levels and the needs of all categories of PRI stakeholders.
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A DC strategy to address the need for creating awareness leading to the creation of an enabling environment.
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Detailed plan for DC including content, media mix, and schedule.
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DC budget.
A draft DC strategy was developed based on the limited understanding gained from the rapid field and desk research as a starting point and to demonstrate the planning and efforts which should go in for developing a comprehensive DC strategy. The state should fine-tune this strategy based on detailed field research and implement it. 10.3.10 Need for Developing Role Models—PRIs and ERs The state at present has some ad hoc recognition and reward system for model Panchayats. Model Panchayats are declared in a sporadic manner for villages, which did work in some thematic areas like water supply, sanitation, and immunization. We did not find any evidence of recognizing role models from among PRIERs. Recognizing role models from among institutions and ERs is one of the key components for reinforcing a positive environment. This type of recognition in the form of intangible and tangible rewards provides: •
Positive motivation for the recognized entities for further progress.
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Work as a role model for others and provide inspiration and examples.
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Benchmarking of the performance of democracy at the grassroots level.
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Accelerated learning and scaling up potential—adults learn through experiences and doing. Exposure visits to demonstration Panchayats, meetings/panel discussions/experience sharing with model ERs/ EWRs serve all these purposes well.
Thus, developing role models from among PRIs and ERs is suggested as an important component of the proposed strategic framework. The definition of model GPs in PRIs is different from other definitions of model GPs. The model GP from the PRD viewpoint is one where:
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Democratic and inclusive processes form the basis for consultations, conflict resolution, and decisionmaking.
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Role of the heads of body incorporates (Sarpanch/Mukhia, President/Adhyaksha/chairpersons of block
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India