Functional and Financial Devolution to Panchayati Raj Institutions in India: A study of Uttar Pradesh

The aim of this paper is to examine the status of functional and financial devolution to the Panchayti Raj Institutions in twelve sampled Zila Panchayats of Uttar Pradesh in India and the quality of services being provided by them which would be a support to the policy makers in Uttar Pradesh state of India at Panchayti Raj level. The study is based on primary and secondary data/ information. The capacity of the PRIs to discharge their functions and take up new functions is examined through interviews with officials and elected functionaries of PRIs and through assessment of their financial and manpower capacity. A primary survey has been conducted to assess the level of satisfaction of the people about the quality of service delivery of PRIs at various levels. Study has found that the lapse of almost two decades after the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act the functional devolution to the local bodies has remained limited in Uttar Pradesh. The service delivery of gram panchayats was viewed poor. It is recommended that fund should be released only to those PRIs who submitted work completion reports and audit reports timely. Functional and financial devaluation which check and give physical and financial power to the unit level of working machinery has great importance.