3 Review(s)

This study, undertaken under the aegis of Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Panchayati Raj Studies, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, seeks to evaluate the performance and efficiency of Gram Sabha in Tamil Nadu, in the light of 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India. Evaluating the functioning of Gram Sabha meeting in terms of assigned roles and responsibilities as per the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, it studies the trends of people's participation in the meeting, efforts made by Panchayat Presidents to ensure their active participation, perception of the leaders and people about the role of the Gram Sabha, implications of the Gram Sabha meeting, and the difficulties faced by the Panchayat leaders. It also suggests ways and means to bring efficiency to Gram Sabha functioning. The book will be useful for researchers, Panchayat functionaries and development workers. About the Author Prof. Ganapathi Palanithurai, Coordinator in Rajiv Gandhi Chair, Gandhigram Rural Institute, presently heads the Department of Political Science and Development Administration, Gandhigram Rural University, Tamil Nadu. He is also Associated with Centre Planning Commission, State Planning Commission of Tamil Nadu, Population Foundation of India, Ford Foundation, UNICEF, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, CAPART, Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment and DANIDA (Danish-Indo Development Agency) in specific areas of activities in connection with empowerment of people. Prof. Palanithurai has to his credit twenty-nine books and seventy-five articles on three major areas, namely, legislative behaviour, ethnicity and Panchayati Raj system. He was recipient of Fellowship from Sastri Indo-Canadian Institute, New Delhi and World Academy of Art and Science, USA. He is the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Council for Sustainable Livelihoods. He was a visiting fellow in the MiGill University, Canada in 1989. He is a member of the expert committee constituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu to monitor the training programme for local body leaders.