Subject(s): Decentralisation in India, 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment act 1992-- self help group and SGSY programme -- Conceptual framework : Panchayati raj institutions--five year plans-- operational definitions-- theories of decentralisation-- decentralization governance-- decentralised planning-- participatory planning-- SHS and credit linkage -- Decentralisation and self help group movement in West Bengal : Structure of panchayati raj institutions in West Bengal,salient features of west Bengal panchayat act 1973-- decentralised planning in west Bengal-- duties of staff of gram panchayat in west Bengal -- Analytical framework and methodology of study -- Profile of the study area - west Bengal -- Results and discussion : Micro-level planning and people's participation-- socio-economic features of elected gram panchayat members of sampled gram panchayat-- perception of gram panchayat members on decentralisation issues-- efficacy of SHG and Non- SHG members in decentralisation process-- decentralisation and self help groups movements-- socio-cultural and political constrains