Tribal Development through Panchayats: A study of Jorebunglow- Sukhiapokhari Block of Darjeeling District

The tribals are the most backward ethnic group in India in relation to the main indicators of development: education, health and status income. Development and welfare work are easier through decentralized administration and local initiative with responsibility and power. Thus, Panchayati system is necessary for rural development in general and tribal development in particular. Therefore, the Panchayati Raj Institution has multiple roles to play. Some would treat it just as an administrative agency; others as an extension of democracy at the grassroots levels and still others as a charter of rural local self government. There is a necessity to evaluate the tribal development programmes in the micro level for identifying the emerging issues, problems and changes after its long run implementation for the upliftment of the tribal people to integrate them in the mainstream. This study attempts to look into the development of tribal community inhabiting in the rural areas of Jorebunglow Sukhia pokhari Block in Darjeeling district and the role played by the Panchayats in the development in the life style of the tribals.