(GIST OF YOJANA) From Passive Beneficiary to Active Citizens

GIST OF YOJANA : From Passive Beneficiary to Active Citizens

JANUARY-2026

From Passive Beneficiary to Active Citizens

Context:

India’s development after Independence shifted from viewing citizens as passive recipients of state welfare to recognizing them as active participants in development. This change occurred through historical involvement, policy reforms, and a push for deeper democracy. Initially, development focused on industrialization and large infrastructure, which created dependency on the state. By the 1960s and 70s, the limitations of this model became clear. Community-led practices in various sectors gained attention, supported by thinkers like Paulo Freire and Mahatma Gandhi, promoting active citizen participation.

Participatory’ Development: Early Phase

Public Policy Shift

Emerged in the mid-1980s in India. Focused on community involvement in natural resource management.
Involved the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Ministry of Rural Development.

National Programmes

Social Forestry (1976) and Joint Forest Management (1988) promoted community forest management.
Established Village Forest Committees for forest protection and regeneration.
Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP, 1989) and National Watershed Development Programme (NWDPRA, 1990-91) introduced user groups and watershed committees.

Education Sector Initiatives

District Primary Education Programme (DPEP, 1994) promoted community engagement in education.
Encouraged Village Education Committees and School Management Committees.

Impact of Initiatives

Shifted from top-down approaches to community partnership in development.
Improved service delivery and created local leadership spaces.
PRIA’s studies showed strengthened accountability and enhanced local leadership, especially for women and marginalized groups.
Raised concerns about sustainability and alignment with formal governance.

Participatory Governance

73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992-93 implemented decentralised local governance
Established Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies as constitutional bodies
Encouraged deeper participation in development programs
Citizens gained direct influence through Gram Sabhas, ward committees, and standing committees
Linked participatory structures with elected local governments

Scaling Women’s Collectives and Livelihood Institutions

Major policy shift from 1998 to 2003 increased participatory orientation of livelihood programs
Strengthened Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment
SHGs evolved into platforms for social mobilization, leadership, and political engagement
Policies like Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana institutionalized SHGs
Emergence of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) promoting collective action for small land-holders

Engendering Participation, Confronting Power and Social Hierarchies

Community engagement requires understanding social hierarchies like patriarchy and caste
Participation is a political process with potential for contestation
Women may be present in forums but often lack voice due to patriarchal control
Ensuring gender inclusion requires facilitation, leadership development, and safe platforms like SHGs
True engagement empowers women and marginalized groups to claim rights and negotiate power

Conclusion:

To make participatory democracy effective, local governance needs stronger resources and support. Investment in municipalities and urban local bodies should increase. Programs for citizen education, especially for youth using digital technology, are vital. Philanthropists and civil society must support these efforts alongside government initiatives to promote inclusive development and democracy.