RGNIYD students assess Service Delivery System and Public Participation at Melli Dara Paiyong GPU

GANGTOK, 19 July: Melli Dara Paiyong Gram Panchayat Unit invited two students from Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Chennai, Sudharshana Laxmi and Vishnu Prasad S, both pursuing MA in Local Governance to assess the success of various initiatives taken by the Gram Panchayat in its tenure and also to make an assessment on the satisfaction rate of the people of the Gram Panchayat regarding the Service Delivery System adopted in the Gram Panchayat Unit. 
It may be mentioned here that the Gram Panchayat had visited Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Chennai in the year 2011 headed by the president Ganesh K. Rai.
According to a press release, under a program supported by State Institute of Rural Development, the two students have prepared case studies on Service Delivery System and Public Participation of the Gram Panchayat Unit. The Gram Panchayat wants to assess all the initiatives taken in its tenure of five years which is going to end this year.
The case study on Service Delivery System has been prepared by Sudharshana Laxmi with an aim to find out the satisfaction of the public towards Service Delivery System. The release informs that during the case study, it was found that more than 50% of the beneficiaries agree that: Services are provided within stipulated time, Staff are available throughout the working hours, Receipts are provided for all fees paid, Staff are efficient and quick service delivery saves lot of time, Grievances are addressed promptly while 100% people strongly agree that revenue generated is utilized properly
In the concluding remark, it was mentioned that the GPU has attained high level of satisfaction from the residents.
The case study on Public Participation has been prepared by Vishnu Prasad S. The main objective of the case study is to understand functioning of Panchayati Raj in Sikkim with respect to 22-Melli Dara Paiyong Gram Panchayat Unit and to make a critical assessment of public participation in Gram Sabha and other allied activities.
During the course of the study, many facts were revealed which are: Active participation of senior voters in the Gram Sabha is very high, Active participation of youth in Gram Sabha is low and Around 60% of the people are actively participating in Cooperative Societies.
It was further revealed form the study that main strengths of the GPU are Infrastructure, Fund, use of Information Technology and good leadership. The major weakness highlighted was less importance to institutions like SHGs, Youth Club, SMC etc, the release adds.