Bhagidari Programme in Delhi State: Achievements and Issues of a Successful Participation Program in India

Abstract

This study gives a thorough report and critical analysis on one of the most successful resident (or citizen) participation programs of India. The Bhagidari Programme was initiated by the government of Delhi State (formally “National Capital Territory of Delhi”) in 2000, with the slogan, “Citizen, Government Partnership”. This Programme has been recognized widely as a successful case, and it has indeed appealed to many Delhi state residents and tackled a lot of urban problems with its participative approach.

First, this paper gives a brief but thorough report of the program and points out the mechanism of its success. Second, this paper deals with the negative side of this program as well. The program has not been successful at including the poor section of the population. Moreover, since this program has successfully empowered the middle class population, it unintentionally ends up with exclusion of the poor. This distinguished program, with its big impact and social effects, gives a clue to the success of participation programs as well as warns of the difficulties with them.