Using the share of panchayats’ own sources of revenue in the total revenue as an indicator of prudent financial management, this article assesses the functioning of gram panchayats in India and finds  that the average OSR share out of their total budget is considerably low and that many panchayats have yet to fully harness their potential for generating their OSR. Delving into the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing piped drinking water supply to all rural households, it demonstrates........

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