Report of the Committee on Restructuring DRDA. - Ministry of Rural ...

momentum. But, in <strong>the</strong> long-term interest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor, it is necessary that <strong>the</strong>y
have to participate in <strong>the</strong> local democratic process. They cannot continue to
remain as project functionaries and self-help entities. They have to get <strong>the</strong>ir
legitimate share <strong>of</strong> power on <strong>the</strong>ir own terms.
5.5.8 Enlightened self-interest should also motivate <strong>the</strong> poor in linking up
with PRIs. Experience has shown that <strong>the</strong> poor learn better about <strong>the</strong> workings
<strong>of</strong> democracy and power relations by involvement in local governments through
‘seeing’ how <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> power actually operate in <strong>the</strong> local context. Moreover,
it is expected that during <strong>the</strong> Twelfth Five Year Plan, PRIs would be streng<strong>the</strong>ned
considerably and several Centrally Sponsored Schemes are likely to be
implemented through <strong>the</strong>m. If <strong>the</strong> poor keep away at this juncture it would
prove costly to <strong>the</strong>m in future for it would mean alienation from future
opportunities. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> organisations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor would stand to gain by
linking up with PRIs. At <strong>the</strong> same time, <strong>the</strong> PRIs would also gain considerably
from <strong>the</strong> social capital to become more effective as development institutions.
5.5.9 Thus bringing about an organic linkage between <strong>the</strong> PRIs and CBOs is
both a constitutional obligation and a practical necessity.
5.5.10 In fact, even <strong>the</strong> marginalized groups get innumerable opportunities
for participation if <strong>the</strong> development processes are suitably structured. Such
participation would help <strong>the</strong>m in gaining confidence and in moving from token
participation onto higher forms <strong>of</strong> direct social action for collective good. This
would enable people to assume responsibilities for management <strong>of</strong> utilities
create demand for services, and exercise effective social audit and control.
5.5.11 Local governments afford opportunities to <strong>the</strong> poor to grow in strength
by continuous participation (learning by doing), constant observation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
exercise <strong>of</strong> power (learning by seeing) and accessing more information (learning
by knowing). As barriers are weaker in <strong>the</strong> local situation, <strong>the</strong> poor can hope
to break <strong>the</strong>m with some effort. From (voice), <strong>the</strong> poor can move on to ‘choice’
i.e. more control over resource use. Slowly ‘freedom’ gets enlarged and
‘capabilities’ get enhanced. Thus, <strong>the</strong>y facilitate empowerment.
5.5.12 Thus, <strong>the</strong>re is need to have absolute clarity and definite policy on <strong>the</strong>
relationship between organisations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor and PRIs. If <strong>the</strong> relationship
between <strong>the</strong> two is consciously structured and if in <strong>the</strong> initial years Government
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