Workshop on “Constructing Doughnut Economics–based Planning for Maniyur.” (Past)

On 16 April 2026, the Planning Committee of Maniyur Gram Panchayat in Kozhikode district, Kerala, convened a policy-oriented workshop on “Constructing Doughnut Economics–based Planning for Maniyur.” The workshop was designed as a deliberative platform to explore the integration of the Doughnut Economics framework into decentralized local governance and planning processes.

The technical sessions featured presentations by Dr. Jos Chathukulam, Director of the Centre for Rural Management (CRM), Kottayam; Professor John S. Moolakkattu, ICSSR Senior Fellow, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, and Ashraf Chalil, Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee, Maniyur Gram Panchayat. Their presentations collectively examined the conceptual foundations, institutional feasibility, and operational pathways for embedding Doughnut Economics within the Panchayat-level planning architecture. (The 2 presentations can be seen (1)  https://crmindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Maniyur-16-April-2026.pdf  and,   (2)  https://crmindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Maniyur-Action-Plan.pdf)

The programme was inaugurated by Ms. Dinsha K, President with the Shri. Ansar K , the Secretary delivering the welcome address and the vote of thanks proposed by Shri.  T T Moidu Master, an elected functionary and a designated representative of the organizing committee.

The workshop witnessed participation from over 50 stakeholders, including Standing Committee Chairpersons, elected functionaries, officials, Planning Committee members, representatives of major political parties, civil society organizations, retired educators, and students. This diverse participation ensured a multi-stakeholder deliberative environment consistent with principles of participatory governance.

The post-presentation discussion served as a critical deliberative forum, wherein participants collectively reflected on the applicability of the Doughnut Economics model to local planning. A broad consensus emerged affirming that Maniyur Gram Panchayat possesses the institutional and administrative capacity to successfully integrate this framework into its development planning processes. The discussion highlighted the Doughnut Model’s potential to balance ecological ceilings with social foundations, thereby aligning local development strategies with sustainability imperatives.

However, certain participants raised procedural concerns regarding whether the adoption of such an alternative planning framework would necessitate special governmental sanction. Addressing these concerns, Dr. Chathukulam clarified that the integration of Doughnut Economics into Panchayat planning does not require extraordinary approvals, provided it operates within the existing guidelines issued by the Government of Kerala for decentralized planning. He emphasized that such innovation is consistent with the constitutional mandate for local self-governance.

In particular, he underscored the relevance of Article 243G of the Constitution of India, which empowers Panchayats to prepare and implement plans for economic development and social justice. Within this constitutional framework, the incorporation of progressive and sustainability-oriented planning models such as Doughnut Economics is not only permissible but also normatively desirable.

Overall, the workshop represents a significant step toward advancing a locally grounded, sustainability-oriented public policy paradigm.  Maniyur Gram Panchayat as a potential model for integrating global development frameworks into India’s decentralized planning system, thereby contributing to broader discourses on resilient, inclusive, and ecologically balanced local governance.