Page 331 - economic review
P. 331
CHAPTER 303
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND
DECENTRALISED PLANNING
Introduction
The Decentralized Planning Process launched during the 9th Five Year Plan in Kerala under the
provisions of the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts was a unique experience in the country and
received remarkable appreciation. The process named as People’s Planning Campaign initiated
with huge participation of people in the Planning Process was restructured and named as Kerala
Development Plan during the 10th Five Year Plan. During the XIth Plan Government revamped
the entire process, emphasising the concept of people planning, focussing on institutionalisation of
decentralization. Kerala emerged as a role model not only in participatory planning at the local level
but also in devolving functions, finance and powers to Local Governments.
XIIth Plan Approach
8.2 In order to make the system more efficient and effective the 12th plan approach envisaged
some concrete steps to strengthen the institutions as well as the planning process. The plan approach
pinpoints the following steps to strengthen the decentralized planning as a whole.
• Special Grama Sabhas will be convened for the families of differently abled and mentally
challenged persons.
• Formulation of District Master Plan with long term vision for spatial planning in all the districts
will be carried out with the co-operation of Local Governments (LGs).
• Citizens Watch Committee will be established at the LG level to watch the progress of schemes
by conducting social audit.
• The line departments and Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs) will be encouraged to
have a well-defined approach to empowerment of women and Gender Development.
• They will also be encouraged to strengthen the Gender Budgeting initiative and also to move
on to Gender sensitive monitoring and gender development programme.
• Provision for burial/cremation ground will be ensured in all local bodies
Planning Process
8.3 Kerala follows a multi staged planning process. Important stages of this methodology are
outlined below.
• Environmental setting (need identification)
• Setting up of functionary groups
Economic Review 2014
