Abstract

Creation of trust and norms, popularly known as social capital, is a desired goal of grass roots democracy anywhere in the world. Social capital formation requires high-level trust, awareness and empowerment of people towards their collective goal. Community participation is a necessary prerequisite towards this end. This paper analyses the relationship between Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) and social capital in the context of Aapni Yojna - a state government/NGO-funded water/health and sanitation project in Rajasthan. Unlike other NGO projects it functions through active role of PRIs. Success of the programme in delivering water, health and sanitation reveals that genuine community participation and collective capital can be achieved only through intermediary role of PRIs in selecting beneficiaries and prioritising local needs. Without the support of gram sabha it is difficult to mobilise participation. At the same time Aapni Yojna shows that with the direct initiative of gram sabha, externally funded project can also be made sustainable even in a backward state.