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This book is a field-based study conducted in various districts of Tamil Nadu. Village Panchayats and NGOs were also actively in this research endeavour, and during validation of the findings. The research viewed things from the standpoint of the poor, the women, and the elected local bodies (viz. the Panchayats). The main frame of reference was whether the reform measures introduced as part of LPG policies benefits or hurts the poor; and what does it boil down to ultimately. The book is primarily aimed at researchers, PG students of development studies/development economics and development management in various universities, and policy makers involved in reforms and globalization. After globalization, almost all the Universities in India have started incorporating globalization, and reform measures in their curriculum especially at masters level. But, they do not have sufficiently researched materials to discuss in the classroom about reform initiatives and their operations at the grassroots in India or in a given State. This book fills that gap. Both researchers and students of rural development and development administration would find this book interesting and useful. 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.