Issues and challenges of participatory development paradigm in India are :

(a) Poor development governance

(b) Poor involvement of civil society organisations in the development process

(c) Effective democratic decentralization

Codes :

The correct answer is - (a) and (b)

Key Points

• Poor development governance
  • India faces governance issues such as lack of transparency, accountability, and inefficiency in many development programs.
  • Centralized decision-making often leads to inadequate representation of local needs and priorities.
  • This hampers the effective implementation of participatory development paradigms.
• Poor involvement of civil society organizations
  • Civil society organizations are crucial for bridging the gap between the government and grassroots communities.
  • However, in India, their participation in the development process is often limited due to lack of funding, capacity-building, and institutional support.
  • Failure to engage these organizations restricts the effectiveness of participatory development efforts.
• Democratic decentralization
  • This refers to transferring decision-making power to local governance institutions such as Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • India has made progress in this area, but challenges such as political interference, lack of financial autonomy, and capacity-building persist.
  • While democratic decentralization is effective, it is not a challenge per se but a solution to governance issues.

Additional Information

• Participatory development paradigm
  • It is an approach that emphasizes the active involvement of local communities, civil society, and stakeholders in the development process.
  • Aims to ensure that development initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of the people.
  • Key principles include empowerment, transparency, and sustainability.
• Challenges of participatory development in India
  • Social inequality: Marginalized groups often face barriers in active participation due to caste, gender, and economic disparities.
  • Capacity-building: Local governance institutions and community leaders often lack the skills and training required for effective participation.
  • Resource constraints: Limited financial and technical resources hinder the implementation of participatory development initiatives.
  • Policy implementation: Weak enforcement of policies and programs designed to promote participatory development.
• Role of civil society organizations
  • Act as intermediaries between the government and communities, advocating for policy changes and ensuring accountability.
  • Provide training, capacity-building, and resources to local communities.
  • Enable grassroots-level participation, ensuring development initiatives are tailored to specific local needs.