Signs of failure

Working of PRIs has started showing the dysfunctions of the social-groups thinking. When the elections to government at various levels, delivering public services, functioning of PRIs, and fair and inclusive system are all defined in social groups’ framework will the functionaries have enough motivation for transparency and rule of law? Neo-social-group framework has alienated all groups in government and has created mass dissatisfaction among all officials at all levels is a fact of modern governance in India. In one study of PRIs in Himachal Pradesh (Sharma, 2009) I found that all social groups are unhappy over the policy of reservation among elected representatives of the PRIs. Nobody knows whether he/she will have opportunity to contest election next time. This dampens motivation for good governance. And yet, the policy of reservation in elected representatives of PRIs has become a sacrosanct truth that cannot be questioned anymore. One new understanding of the state which will have long term impact on social mobilization is that all government schemes will have to be implemented through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs); NGOs are not believed to be good substitute for strong PRIs and Community Based Organizations (CBOs). This line of thinking distrusts NGOs through which state can deliver services to the poor. By following this new approach and providing separate quotas for neo-social-groups in all rural development schemes (except MGNREGS) state has created a permanent divide between neo-social-groups at all levels – from the metropolitan city to the remotest village. To be Indian is to belong to a neo-social-group.