ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the effectiveness of capacity development policies and programmes for elected representatives (ERs) of local government in the last 25 years and discusses the issues involved in the capacity development. The chapter also discusses the theory and policy context for capacity development. With the help of a review of secondary sources and literature, the chapter shows that the policies and programmes were in line with requirement for capacity development of ERs. The focus of these policies and programmes, however, shifted away from ERs and in favour of staff and training infrastructure development leading to the re-usurpation of Panchayat powers and functions by bureaucrats. The implementation of policies and programmes was such that they aimed at quantitative dimensions of training rather than quality aspects such as the participation of ERs in decision-making, planning for development andensuring transparency and accountability. The mere provision of training to ERs did not result in significant capacity development in the absence of sufficient devolution of powers ora appropriate decentralisation framework.
