Conference on Decentralised government and development in rural areas
- Last Date : August 10, 2013 -

National Seminar
On
Decentralized Governance and Changing Paradox of Development in Rural Areas

11th & 12th September, 2013

Organized by Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Management & Centre for International Relations .

Central University of Jharkhand
Ranchi-835205

About the Seminar:

Decentralization is a popular word in the social science discourse. It is being widely interpreted as an instrument of good governance and means of democratic development process. Indeed , a democracy works when all people including the most marginalized of the society participate in the process of governance, have capability to ask questions and seek accountability. For countries like India, it is an indispensable pre-condition for social, economic and political development and a necessary condition for strengthening institutions.

The real test of the decentralization lies in its contribution towards people’s empowerment by way of providing them a significant role in decision-making and in the entire process of governance. Experience shows that in India, the institutions of local self-government are operating amid a number of negative pulls and challenges. Even though the Constitutional Act brought historic power to the grass-root bodies recognizing them as the third tier of government and creating channel for effective decentralization, still there is a huge gap among the Indian states in realizing the real essence of good governance and decentralization.

However, the real meaning and significance of democratic decentralization can be understood in the light of a country’s prevailing social, economic and political conditions which determine the purpose and pattern of democratic and development process. So having mixed goals of democracy, decentralization and development, the Indian concept of democratic decentralization refers to the program and techniques which imply devolution of governmental powers and responsibilities, decentralization of political institutions, development of local leadership and strengthening the efforts for economic modernization. The seminar aims at exploring various issues related to democratic decentralization and people's participation for development especially in rural India.

Objectives:

The seminar attempts to look into the following objectives; To understand various development of decentralized governance in India with specific areas of development , To highlight the level of involvement of people of the grassroots and the problem and difficulties faced by them in involvement of governance and development process, To understand the nature of such problems with the Indian experience of democratic decentralization and working of the institutions of grass-root democracy at rural level, Focuses on the problems in effective and meaningful decentralization arising out of various legal, social, economic and political factors and seeks to suggest measures to make local self- governance more realistic and fruitful.

Call for Papers:

The Seminar will invite academicians, research scholars, development practitioners, NGO’s and administrators to document cases of decentralization, governance and changing paradox of development in rural India.

Themes for the Seminar:
The conference shall deliberate on the following themes:
1. Issues in Decentralized Governance and Development in Rural Areas;
2. Role of Civil Society Organizations in Development and Good Governance;
3. Innovations and Intervention for Development in Rural Areas;
4. Challenges to Decentralized Governance and Development in Rural Areas;
5. ICT in Rural Development and Decentralized Governance;
6. Public Private Partnership and Corporate Social Responsibility in Governance;
7. Basic Service Delivery and various challenges to Decentralized Governance;
8. Policy Interventions for Decentralized Governance and Rural Development;
9. Naxalism and Problems Related to Rural Underdevelopment.
10. Globalisation and Challenges to Rural Development

Important Dates:

Deadline for Abstracts: August 10, 2013.
Acceptance Communication: August 15, 2013.
Deadline for Full Papers: August 30, 2013.
Abstracts about the theme of the conference can be sent in English (200 words) to
[email protected]

Registration Fee:
Students and Research scholars: Rs. 700/-
Faculty Members and Academicians: Rs. 1500/-
Institutionally sponsored experts: Rs. 2000/-

Registration fee can be sent in form of DD in favour of SeminarCUJ (payable at Punjab National Bank Brambe-Ranchi) with dully filled registration form or cash can directly be deposited in the PNB Account Number- 7277000100001388 (IFC Code-PUNB0727700). Registration fee can also be paid on the spot in Cash.

Guidelines for Submission:

The guidelines for submission of abstracts and full papers are as follows.

Abstract:

The abstract should not exceed 200 words. It should include title of the abstract, key words, author’s name, designation, institutional affiliation, mailing address, contact number, E-mail ID.

Full Paper:

The length of full paper including tables, diagrams, illustrations, references, etc. should be between 5000 to 6000 words. The full paper should be in English and typed in MS-Word in Times New Roman with font size 12 and 1.5 space. Bibliographical references should be arranged alphabetically and given at the end of the text in the APA format. The full version of paper should be submitted in both hard and soft copy latest by August 30, 2013 to [email protected]

Seminar Convener
Dr Rajashree Padhi
Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Management
Central University of Jharkhand
[email protected]
[email protected]

Seminar Organizing Secretary
Dr Rajeev Kumar Singh
Centre for International Relations
Central University of Jharkhand
[email protected]
[email protected]

For details:
http://www.cuj.ac.in/downloads/Website%20Uploading%20-Seminar-HRM.pdf