Environment, Technology and Decision-Making in Panchayati Raj Institutions

in Panchayati Raj Institutions S N Dubey Panchayati raj institutions are political bodies and, as such, a major concern of the panchayati raj leadership is to get the maximum possible amount of facilities in its own area. Since for most services demand exceeds supply, the decision to allocate services becomes complex, making the existing procedures and criteria governing decisions inadequate. Some kind of strategy has to be adopt ed so that the largest number of groups can be satisfied. This necessarily calls for a compromise approach in the allocation of facilities and services and generates a kind of obligation or reciprocity pattern, This study of Maharashtra examines the considerations which determine decision-making in panchayati raj institutions, identifies the strategies used by decision-makers and explores the basis of the influence structure in these institutions.