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2nd March, 2009
Dear Mr.
Prime Minister,
The National Knowledge Commission considers it imperative to ensure that the applications of knowledge are used for the well-being of common people, especially in rural areas. Our consultations with a working group of experts involved with grassroots organizations helped identify some workable ideas and existing projects that have potential for scaling up. One of the projects identified for implementation after discussions focused on the need to set up Panchayat Gyan Kendras (PGKs) throughout the country. The findings from this project form the basis for our policy suggestions in this letter.
We believe that it is essential to build capacity in Panchayats to ensure participatory decision making and a healthier democracy. Building a system that can tap and develop locally available knowledge resources through Panchayats is crucial for the efficient implementation of initiatives such as NREGA. Such a system also provides creative outlets for harnessing local knowledge to meet a variety of needs in diverse areas such as health, education, agriculture, forestry, water etc. On a short term basis, NKC, along with the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and the School for Democracy, Rajasthan, helped set up a PGK in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan to efficiently implement the NREGA and use the systems developed to create a more participatory, transparent and accountable Gram Panchayat. We believe that eventually, if a network of such PGKs is set up across the country, it will help identify, harness and replicate the tremendous human resource and knowledge pool that exists, to improve the quality of life of India?s people.
Panchayat Gyan Kendra in every Block
We recommend that every block in the country should have at least one PGK. The PGK can become a resource centre to demonstrate best practices, evolve local solutions and serve as a training institution. It can also offer an opportunity to bring together elected representatives (including Panchayat representatives) policy makers and civil society in a creative endeavour of local self government for efficient delivery of basic services. This system of PGKs can be initiated through the broader platform of a Panchayat Knowledge Mission, for maximum scale, commitment and effect. While it is envisaged that the PGK will eventually develop into a comprehensive resource, it could initially concentrate on areas related to the NREGA. As such, the PGK can immediately address the following issues in the NREGA by building demonstrable systems of people-based implementation:
1. Peoples Planning: Institutionalization of proper planning mechanisms requires area-specific processes, evolved after concentrated effort at the local level. The PGK could be required to carry out:
- An initial review of existing plans and initiation of the peoples planning process
- A tentative revised plan for the first year of NREGA works to be prepared in 3 months
- Institutionalizing a long term planning process in a year?s time
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