Unit 4
Panchayati Raj system
● Panchyati Raj is the three-tier structure of Indian administration. It is responsible for
the development in rural areas.
● It is a governing body of zones, districts, and villages. Mostly, in all the states of
India, this concept of Panchayati raj is followed.
● Balwant Rai Mehta is known as the father of Panchayati raj. He was a
parliamentarian who first introduced the idea of Panchayati raj.
● Panchayati Raj ensures development in education, jobs, agriculture, and medicines
in rural areas. A country’s development is measured by the overall development of
all the sectors. So development in rural areas is a must, as according to a census of
2011, 68% of the population lives in rural areas.
● This concept of Panchayati raj is not introduced only in a few states. These states
are Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya. Also, except Delhi, all other union territories do
not follow this concept۔
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
● Balwant rai was the first person who introduced the idea of Panchayati raj. In the
year 1957, he appointed a committee. This committee was set up to monitor India’s
economy’s development and check the working of government programs. This
committee came up with establishing a local government body or Panchayati
system.
● The three-tier structure was suggested to be established.
● That structure was: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad
● The main objective to establish this was to monitor the development of the rural
areas
Ashok Mehta Committee
1
● This committee was appointed in 1977. By that time, the power of Panchayati Raj
was declining. So, to strengthen it, this committee was formed.
○ This committee suggested the formation of only two bodies.
○ Those bodies were: Zila Parishad and Mandal Panchayat.
GVK Rao Committee
● In 1985, this committee was appointed. It was done to strengthen the Panchayat
Raj.
○ In the scheme of democratic decentralization, Zila Parishad was made the
most important body.
○ All the important decisions were taken by the Zila Parishad only.
○ This committee introduced the post of CEO of Zila Parishad.
LM Singhvi Committee –
● In 1986, this committee was appointed. The Government of India appointed this
committee.
○ Judicial Tribunals were set up in every state.
○ It is set up for solving disputes related to elections
○ Committee asked for recognition from the constitution.