A committee headed by Dr Sathyabrath Sen was constituted in 1996 to submit recommendations on strengthening local governance and decentralisation along with people’s planning.  A quote from Sen committee:

“Amendments and changes in existing laws and state government machinery are vital in executing the full power and responsibilities entrusted with local self-governments. Decentralisation cannot work without handing over power fully to the lower levels. It doesn’t mean working under a higher officer at his own interests. It means transfer of real powers to local self-governments in areas transferred for them.”