making local actions matterStrengthening decentralized planning and implementation from below is a major strategy in development management. This is largely believed to positively affect lives of disadvantaged people. The argument for greater devolution is premised upon the fact that transfer of funds, functions and functionaries is central to successful decentralization. The emergence of strong, democratic national governments can provide effective sub-structures for successful planning and implementation of economic development programmes in a country. Against such a context, decentralization is seen as essential by the development thinkers, practitioners, governments and international partners in most countries especially in a larger democracy like India. This is a compilation of good practices in decentralized planning. The cases represent ground-tested solutions for addressing many of the challenges that impact the implementation of flagship programmes.