Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Socio-economic profiles of Kanksa Block. 2. Socio-economic profiles of the tribes. 3. Tribal development : socio historical phases. 4. Institutionalization of Panchayats. 5. Tribal development and Panchayati Raj. 6. Life situation of the tribes. Conclusion. References.

"The main objective of the present work is the study of development of tribal community under the impact of the new Panchayati Raj dispensation introduced in West Bengal since 1978--how much the community has achieved and how the traditionally backward tribal community has been empowered after the introduction of Panchayati Raj. The objective of the study is to determine how the development and power structure of the tribal community are influenced by the socio-political changes and institutional innovations like the extension of representative democracy at the grassroots level.

What kind of changes has taken place in the study area with the institutionalization of Panchayats and politicization of the tribal people by the left parties ever since 1978? The present study is also intended to analyse other parameters, such as education, health etc.

The tribal people have not been actually empowered through the institutionalization of Panchayats. They are mobilized too much politically, rather socially and economically." (jacket)