A common criticism of the National Rural Employment Guarantee programme is that it does not lead to the creation of permanent assets and a sustained increase in incomes. This fi eld study of the construction of wells in one block in Ranchi district of Jharkhand shows that asset creation under this programme can result in the creation of income-generating assets.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's three recent reports have put the government in the dock. (Editorial)

The Panchayati Raj System of Haryana that had been created by the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act (1994) creates an illusion that it is Gram Panchayat centric. The Act had given to it almost all the 29 subjects which had been listed in the 11th Schedule of the Indian constitution.

Visits to seven small towns in north India reveal how paucity of funds, slipshod planning and a dearth of capabilities have contributed to poor civic services and inadequate infrastructure. Citizens in some areas have organised themselves into neighbourhood committees to tackle problems that the urban bodies neglect, but this has its limitations and cannot substitute for efficient local government. The keys to tap the rich potential in these small towns are purposeful research, participative planning, responsive governance and healthy finances.