Issues of Exclusion and Inclusion in Decentralized Local Governance Institutions in India

This paper proposes to explore “the issues of exclusion and inclusion in decentralized local governance institutions in India”. It also tries to explore how the marginalized groups are excluded in the decentralized democratic process. It further tries to examine an important area relating to exclusion of Panchayat institutions in situations of political conflict or economic contestation. Further it assesses the marginalized groups’ awareness of Panchayati Raj, their perception of Panchayati Raj, their participation in Panchayati Raj programmes as functionaries and as beneficiaries and the extent to which they are benefited in different areas of operation of Panchayati Raj institutions.