This paper, published in the journal Development argues that new policy interventions such as Pani Panchayat in Orissa, India ignore the local socioeconomic contexts and fail to ensure community participation. Dominance by upper caste and richer members, lack of group dynamics, exclusion of local needs and institutions, ill-defined property rights, constraints in input supply such as credit and extension services, etc. discourage participation.

The paper ends by arguing that strengthening of existing local institutions, augmenting the resource base and ensuring equity in water access would go along way in leading to better management and development of water resources.

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