Panchayati Raj

• Panchayati Raj is a system of local self-governance in rural India,

designed to promote decentralized governance and empower local
communities.
• Roots trace back to ancient India, with the village (Gram) as the basic
unit of self-administration.
• Mahatma Gandhi envisioned 'Gram Swaraj' (village self-governance)
as the foundation of India’s political system.
• Planning Commission appointed Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
(1957): Recommended a three-tier structure and 'democratic
decentralization'.
• Establishment of Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat
Samitis at the block level, and Zila Parishads at the district level.
• Inauguration: Introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in Nagaur, Rajasthan,
on October 2, 1959.
 The Constitutional Status:
73rd Amendment Act, 1992
• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional
status and protection to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• New Constitutional Provisions: Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) into the
Constitution, titled "The Panchayats".
• Added the Eleventh Schedule, which lists the 29 subjects/functions to
be entrusted to Panchayats.
• To empower PRIs to function as units of self-government and to
undertake development work for economic development and social
justice.
The Three-Tier Structure of PRIs
• The 73rd Amendment mandates a uniform three-tier structure across
all states with a population over 20 lakh:
Level Institution Composition/Head
Elected members (Ward
Members/Panchs) and a
Village Level Gram Panchayat (GP)
Chairperson
(Sarpanch/Mukhiya/Pradhan).
Members elected indirectly from
Panchayat Samiti (PS) / Kshetra
Intermediate/Block Level among the elected members of the
Panchayat
Gram Panchayats.
Members elected indirectly from
District Level Zila Parishad (ZP) / Zila Panchayat among the elected members of the
Panchayat Samitis.
• Gram Sabha: The foundation of the system, comprising all registered
voters (adult residents) in the Panchayat area. It ensures accountability and
approves the Gram Panchayat's plans.
• The Gram Sabha is given statutory recognition under Article 243(b) of the
Indian Constitution.
• It is the only true example of direct democracy at the grassroots level in
India, where every adult citizen in the village is a member.
• Unlike the Gram Panchayat, which is elected for a five-year term, the Gram
Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
• Decisions made by the Gram Sabha cannot be overturned by any other
body. Only the Gram Sabha itself has the power to annul its own decisions.
• The Gram Sabha acts as a watchdog over the Gram Panchayat, monitoring
its finances, reports, and overall activities to ensure transparency and
proper implementation of plans
73rd Amendment
• All members at all three levels are to be chosen by direct election
from territorial constituencies.
• A compulsory term of five years for all Panchayats.
• If a Panchayat is dissolved prematurely, elections must be held within
six months to constitute a new one for the remainder of the term.
• Reservation of Seats (Article 243D): Seats are reserved in proportion
to SC & ST population at each level.
• Not less than one-third (33%) of the total seats, including those
reserved for SC/ST women, must be reserved for women. This
reservation also applies to the offices of the Chairperson.
• State Election Commission (Article 243K): An independent body
established in each state to conduct, supervise, and control Panchayat
elections.
• State Finance Commission (Article 243I): Constituted every five years
to review the financial position of the Panchayats and recommend
devolution of funds.
Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities
• To prepare plans for economic development and social justice and
implement schemes entrusted by the state government.
• The 29 Subjects (Eleventh Schedule) include:
• Agriculture, including extension.
• Land improvement and soil conservation.
• Minor irrigation, water management, and watershed development.
• Rural housing, drinking water, and sanitation.
• Education, including primary and secondary schools.
• Health and sanitation, including public health centres and dispensaries.
• Panchayats can be empowered to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes,
duties, tolls, and fees. Financial Power
• [Link]
Challenges
• Inadequate financial resources and dependency on state grants.
• Powers, functions, and functionaries are often not fully or effectively
devolved by state governments.
• Lack of competent human resources and technical expertise for
effective governance.
• 'Sarpanch Pati' Culture: Interference by male relatives of elected
women representatives due to patriarchal norms.