Question

What are the expected benefits of the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) in terms of social and economic reforms?

1. The PPC is designed to attract and involve more people in social and economic reforms.
2. It is expected to reduce transparency and accountability, leading to increased corruption.
3. Mass campaigns under PPC may lead to increased public confidence in the government system.

• A. 1, 3
• B. 3 മാത്രം
• C. ഇവയൊന്നുമല്ല
• D. 2, 3

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1, 3

The People's Plan Campaign (PPC): A Catalyst for Social and Economic Reforms

• The People's Plan Campaign (PPC), also known as the Kerala People's Plan, was a groundbreaking initiative launched in Kerala during the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002).

• Its core objective was to revolutionize the planning process by devolving significant power and financial resources to local self-governing institutions (LSGIs), including Grama Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats.

• The PPC aimed to transform planning from a traditional top-down approach to a bottom-up strategy, empowering local communities to decide on their development priorities and resource allocation.

Expected Benefits in Social and Economic Reforms:

• Increased Public Participation: The PPC was specifically designed to attract and actively involve more people from all walks of life, including marginalized sections, in the planning and implementation of social and economic reforms. This direct involvement ensured that local needs and aspirations were genuinely reflected in development initiatives.

• Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: In direct contrast to the incorrect statement, a fundamental benefit of the PPC was its emphasis on promoting greater transparency and accountability. By decentralizing decision-making and making resource allocation processes visible at the local level, public scrutiny increased significantly, which in turn aimed to reduce corruption.

• Increased Public Confidence: Through widespread campaigns and direct engagement in local governance, the PPC fostered a strong sense of ownership and empowerment among citizens. This active participation and the visible positive impact of locally managed projects led to a substantial increase in public confidence in the democratic and governmental systems.

• Targeted Development: Empowering LSGIs enabled the identification and implementation of projects that were precisely tailored to the unique social and economic requirements of local communities, resulting in more effective and equitable development outcomes.

• Improved Resource Utilization: Being closer to the ground realities, local bodies were better equipped to identify gaps in services and to utilize available funds more efficiently for critical areas such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the provision of essential services like education and healthcare.

Key Features and Impact for Competitive Exams:

• The PPC is considered a cornerstone of the Kerala Model of Development, widely recognized for its high social indicators (e.g., literacy, health) despite a relatively lower per capita income compared to other Indian states.

• It represented India's largest and most comprehensive experiment in radical decentralization and participatory democracy.

• A significant aspect of the campaign involved an extensive training program for newly elected local representatives and thousands of volunteers, equipping them with the necessary skills for decentralized planning and governance.

• The PPC strengthened the role of Gram Sabhas (Village Assemblies) as vital forums for direct public participation in identifying needs, prioritizing schemes, and overseeing their implementation.

• The success and lessons learned from the PPC have significantly influenced subsequent decentralization efforts and local governance reforms across other states in India.