In many villages across Karnataka’s Chitradurga district, citizens rarely see their Gram Panchayat as a space where their voices matter. Meetings are infrequent, ward members lack clarity about their own powers, and most decisions are made without meaningful public participation. This disconnect, worsened by caste and gender barriers, keeps governance distant and ineffective. Anode Governance Lab has been working to bridge this gap.

Since 2022, across 15 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Chitradurga and Challakere blocks, Anode’s work with local governments has been demonstrating how knowledge, dialogue, and community-led processes can transform these institutions into responsive, inclusive spaces.

Challenges in local governance

Chitradurga district, with its diverse political landscape and significant Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) populations, faces unique governance and developmental challenges. While the district ranks moderately on Karnataka’s Human Development Index (HDI), Challakere block fares worse, with below-average HDI and vulnerability scores.

The region’s low and erratic rainfall, combined with a heavy reliance on rainfed agriculture, particularly groundnut cultivation, leaves communities economically fragile. These environmental and economic pressures feed into governance challenges, shaping the priorities and struggles of local institutions.

At the institutional level, Anode’s early assessments found that ward sabhas were either irregular or non-existent, leaving citizens without consistent platforms to raise issues or influence decisions. Many Gram Panchayat members lacked even basic awareness of their legal powers, responsibilities, and processes under the Karnataka Panchayati Raj Act, further weakening the responsiveness of local governance.

This knowledge gap and institutional inertia created a passive, reactive system, where ward members rarely took initiative and citizens saw the GP as a body responsible for handing out government benefits, rather than a space for collaborative decision-making.

Layers of caste and gender inequalities deepened these barriers. Women ward members were often excluded from discussions, leaving them unable to contribute effectively, while marginalised caste groups found themselves outside the informal networks that shape local decision-making.

“Our GP struggled to hold regular meetings and address community concerns effectively. Anode’s support gave us clarity and direction,” said Sevalalnagar Somaguddu GP member, Challakere Block.

Building knowledge, trust, and shared accountability

Anode’s intervention focused on rebuilding the foundations of local governance. The team focused on strengthening legal knowledge, institutional processes, and citizen engagement mechanisms to create a more transparent, participatory system.

The starting point was introducing GP members to the Karnataka Panchayati Raj Act in practical, accessible ways. Legal provisions were broken down into simple tools, including Organisation Mapping (OM) and Visioning Workshops, which clarified the roles of Standing Committees, the importance of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), and sector-specific responsibilities.

This legal awareness was extended to the broader community. Through General Body Meetings (GBMs), Ward Sabhas, and meetings with GPLF and SHG members, Anode ensured that citizens understood how Gram Panchayats were meant to function, creating shared accountability between citizens and their representatives.

Critically, Anode’s initial engagement was personal and trust-focused. The team met with over 70% of ward members individually, building rapport and understanding power dynamics before convening larger collective meetings. These early relationship-building efforts, followed by formal MoUs with each GP, created the conditions for constructive collaboration.

To demonstrate the immediate benefits of functional local governance, Anode supported small, low-cost initiatives led by ward members — including repairing school toilets, repainting school walls, and maintaining RO water filters. These quick wins gave ward members visible success, while showing citizens that change was possible through the GP.

Before this, I didn’t know about Standing Committees or how we could use them to solve issues. Now, I feel confident in my role,” said Obalesh H, GP member, Muddapura Hosahatti village, Muddapura GP.

Strengthening institutional processes

The Organisation Mapping (OM) exercise, conducted across all 15 GPs, proved transformative, particularly for women ward members. Many women saw for the first time how much power they actually had under the law. This clarity gave them confidence to raise questions, participate actively in GP meetings, and insist on being part of Standing Committee decisions.

The OM process also triggered the regularisation of General Body Meetings (GBMs) across multiple GPs, ensuring that discussions on funds, projects, and plans followed clear, transparent processes that were open to public scrutiny. Gradually, citizens started seeing the GP as a forum where they could hold their representatives accountable.

“Organisation Mapping showed us the gaps we needed to fill. It was an eye-opener, especially for understanding our responsibilities,” said Shanthamma, GP member, Muddapura village and GP.

Between November 2023 and February 2024, Anode facilitated two-day Vision and Mission Workshops across all 15 GPs. These workshops brought together ward members, citizens, GPLF members, and frontline workers, enabling them to jointly identify development priorities and set collective goals.

Sanitation emerged as a universal concern, while education, health, water, and agriculture were prioritised based on local needs. As a direct result, four GPs independently formed Standing Committees, while Anode facilitated the formation of General Standing Committees across 14 GPs. To further clarify roles and improve coordination, Anode introduced Portfolio Heads and trained GP members in the RACI matrix (Responsibility, Accountability, Collaboration, and Information).

“The Vision and Mission Workshop helped us focus on what we want to achieve for our village and how to work together effectively,” said Nirmala, GPLF member, Bachaboranahatti Village, Gonuru GP.

From plans to action

Anode’s approach connected planning to action by ensuring citizens had formal mechanisms to raise issues and track their resolution. Petitions became a powerful tool, allowing residents to document grievances and present them during General Body Meetings, ensuring greater transparency and follow-up.

Since September 2023, residents have submitted 68 petitions, with 32 resolved and 25 actively under review. Over two years, 573 ward-level actions were documented, ranging from waste collection schedules to ensuring proper RO filter maintenance.

To further strengthen citizen ownership of local development, Anode facilitated a ₹20,000 discretionary budget in each GP, earmarked for community-led projects. These projects required matching contributions from CAGs, GPLFs, or GPs, and utilisation certificates ensured financial transparency.

“Petitions gave us a formal way to voice our issues and ensure they were addressed. It brought the community and GP closer,” said Sudhavathi, SHG member, Madanayakanahalli village.

This collaborative governance model has already led to tangible outcomes. In Sevalalnagar, an RO filter was relocated to a more accessible spot. In Katihalli, a citizen petition resulted in the construction of a concrete road. In Chikkabigere Golarahatti, sustained petitioning led to the introduction of a bus service for the first time.

“Our village is cleaner, and our issues are being addressed faster because our GP now works together as a team,” said Shilpa and Kavya, residents of Katihalli and Siddapura villages.