Does Child-friendly Gram Panchayats Mean Good Governance? An Analysis of 10 Gram Panchayats in Karnataka

Abstract

A ‘Gram Panchayat (GP)’ is the lowest tier of self-government within the Panchayati Raj Institutions and is entrusted with critical responsibilities such as poverty alleviation, delivery of welfare measures, primary education, empowerment of marginalised communities, etc. Apart from these, GPs are also endowed with responsibilities with respect to the empowerment of women and welfare of children. The article proposes to develop a comprehensive framework that can help in analysing the underpinnings of what makes a GP child friendly. The framework is further extended to the overall governance of a GP as well. The institutional capability and governance of 10 GPs of Karnataka have been examined in detail using this framework.