The panchayats with Gram Sabha should be so organized as to identify the resources locally available for the development in agricultural and industrial sectors. Examine the statement in the context of Gram swaraj.

Mahatma Gandhi was categorical in emphasizing that, decentralization of power through grass root network of proactive panchayats was the only way in order to achieve the end of human happiness combined with full mental and moral development.

The ideal of ‘Gram Swaraj ‘in Gandhian thought was only possible when the panchayats were capable of ensuring efficiency in resource use and allocation. Gandhian Theory of Oceanic circles tries to reimagine governance through a web of self-independent villages.

Panchayats within such villages should be organized in a way to ensure that the resources of villages are utilized smartly and fully to meet the needs. For agricultural development, the Bhoodan Movement was organized on the same lines where the land resource was judiciously used by voluntarily transferring it from big landholders to the landless and disadvantaged sections of society. The 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution captures the essence of this Gandhian ideal of decentralization by providing panchayats powers to regulate various industries like cottage industry, fisheries industry etc and thereby organizing resources needed as well.

Gram Swaraj of M.K Gandhi was the realization that at local level needs are realized quickly and organizing resources becomes easy, if mechanisms for decentralization of power are in place. Furthermore, it also reduces the amount of wastage of resources, which is a possibility with top-down approach of governance.

However, this idea of self-sufficient villages falls short of visualizing a future for villages. Villages, however independent they may be, cannot be viewed in isolation, and must be organically connected to the provincial and national governance. Furthermore, scholars like Dr.B.R Ambedkar argued that, as the politics within villages is dominated by upper castes, giving authority of resource allocation to such villages, will result in ignorance and exploitation of lower castes.

Ideal of Gram Swaraj as Gandhi says, is a complete republic , which is independent for its vital wants and yet interdependent for many others for which dependence is a necessity.