Abstract

Basanta Kumar Sahu argues that new policy interventions such as Pani Panchayat in Orissa, India ignores local socioeconomic set up fails to ensure community participation. Dominance by upper caste and richer members, lack of group dynamics, exclusion of local needs and institutions, ill-defined property rights, constraints in input supply such as credit and extension services, etc. discourage participation. He suggests what is needed is the strengthening of existing local institutions, augmenting the resource base and ensuring equity in water access would allow for better management and development of water resources.