Question

Which of the following are components of the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) in Kerala?

1. Empowering elected district councils and panchayats with greater financial freedom.
2. Implementation of comprehensive total literacy programs.
3. Focus on people's resource mapping programs.
4. Centralized decision-making with limited local participation.

• A. രണ്ട്
• B. ഒന്നും രണ്ടും മൂന്നും
• C. ഒന്ന് മാത്രം
• D. രണ്ടും മൂന്നും

Answer 1

Answer:

B. ഒന്നും രണ്ടും മൂന്നും

People's Plan Campaign (PPC) - Kerala

Genesis and Objectives

• The People's Plan Campaign (PPC), also known as Janakeeya Yojana, was a groundbreaking initiative launched in Kerala in 1996.

• It was implemented during the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002) in India.

• The primary aim was to institutionalize decentralized planning, empowering local self-government institutions (LSGIs) – Grama Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats – with significant roles in local development.

• It represented a radical shift from top-down planning to a bottom-up approach, promoting grassroots democracy and participatory development.

Key Components and Features

• Financial Devolution and Empowerment: A core aspect was the devolution of a substantial portion of the state's plan budget directly to LSGIs. Initially, around 35-40% of the state plan outlay was allocated to local bodies, granting them significant financial autonomy to plan and execute projects. This directly aligns with Option 1: Empowering elected district councils and panchayats with greater financial freedom.

• Participatory Planning Process: The campaign emphasized a planning process that started at the most basic level – the Gram Sabhas (village assemblies). Here, local people directly participated in identifying their needs, prioritizing projects, and formulating local development plans.

• Resource Mapping Programs: Local bodies were encouraged to undertake 'resource mapping' and 'needs assessment' programs. This involved systematically collecting data on local resources, existing problems, and potential solutions through community participation. This directly relates to Option 3: Focus on people's resource mapping programs.

• Capacity Building and Training: Extensive training programs were conducted for elected representatives, government officials, and local volunteers to enhance their skills in planning, budgeting, and project management.

• Comprehensive Literacy and Social Mobilization: While Kerala had already achieved high literacy rates, the success of PPC heavily relied on an informed and mobilized citizenry. Comprehensive literacy programs and continuous social mobilization through various voluntary organizations and Kudumbashree played a crucial role in enabling effective participation in Gram Sabhas and other local planning processes. This supports Option 2: Implementation of comprehensive total literacy programs as an enabling and complementary component within Kerala's development context.

• Transparency and Accountability: Mechanisms like public disclosure and social audits were integrated to ensure judicious use of funds and effective implementation of projects.

Impact and Significance

• The PPC is a hallmark of the Kerala Model of Development, globally recognized for its achievements in social development indicators despite relatively lower per capita income.

• It transformed LSGIs into genuine centers of local governance and development, significantly enhancing people's participation.

• The campaign stands in direct opposition to centralized decision-making with limited local participation (Option 4), as its fundamental principle was decentralization and maximum local involvement.

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recognized the Kerala People's Plan Campaign as a pioneering example of decentralized governance.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams

• Year of Launch: 1996

• Period of Implementation: Coincided with India's Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002).

• Key Concept: Decentralized Planning and Participatory Democracy.

• Budgetary Allocation to LSGIs: A significant portion (e.g., 35-40%) of the state's plan funds.

• Foundation: Gram Sabhas (Village Assemblies) as the basic unit of planning.