Panchayati Raj (PR)

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Panchayati Raj (PR)

Definition-a decentralization process where authority is distributed & structured between
central,regional & local with their own powers and functions.
It ensures grass roots level peoples participation in decision making process.So PRI(panchayat raj
institutions) = local self govt bodies;prime instrument of decentralization.
Functions of PRI- 1.to provide basic infrastructure facilities
2.empower weaker sections of society and to initiate development process at grass roots level.

73rd and 74th amendment act=3 tier of local self govt.

M.K. Gandhi advocated PR.

PR is active in India,Pakistan,Bangladesh and Nepal.

PR doesnt exist in Nagaland,Meghalaya and Mizoram,Delhi.

3-tier system of PR in India-

1.Village level-Revenue unit

Lowest unit
Gram sabha helds meeting twice a year
Have representatives elected by people of village
Sarpanch-presides over every panchayat.He is assisted by panchayat secretary and village
level worker.
2.Block level-Janapad level
Different names in different states
Andhra Pradesh

Mandal parishad

Assam

Anchalik panchayat

Bihar,Jharkhand,Haryana,HP,Tripura,WB,MH,

Panchayat samiti

Orrisa,Punjab,Rajasthan

Panchayat samiti- 20 to 60 villages =area,population

Pradhan-President of panchayat samiti.He/she is ex-officio chairman of standing committees of
samiti.
Function of panchayat samiti-to coordinate activities of various panchayats within its jurisdiction.

3.District levelZilla parishad

Tamilnadu,Kerala & Gujarat district panchayat
To coordinate activities of Panchayat samiti within its jurisdiction
The state of Maharashtra has been historical progressive in the sphere of PR.Its comprehensive
zilla parishad & panchayat samiti act and a separate act for gram panchayat gave a good
foundation for strong PR in state.Karnataka stands next to Maharashtra.
From overall devolution index table.Maharashtra tops by scoring 64.04 and Jharkhand lowest
27.25.Also Tripura tops the list and Arunchal Pradesh lowest in NE states.UT-chandigarh
bottom and lakshwadeep top
Year 2009-10 year of gram sabha being the 50 th anniversary of launching of PR in India.
PR system in India
1.B.R Mehta committee-

recommended a 3 tier PR structure.

2.L.M. Singhvi committee

Suggested gram sabha be the base of decentralized democracy

Mayos resolution (1870)

Municipalities in urban areas

Ripon resolution (1882)

District boarddistrict level &

Rural boardtaluka/tehsil level

Village panchayat act(1912) objective of this act to strengthen panchayat both as local self
govt & as judicial bodies BUT EPICFAIL as 1.panchayats setup had neither a real
representative character nor autonomy 2. Lack of sincerity

Govt programmes for empowerment of PR :1.Panchayat mahila yuva shakti abhiyaan(PMEYSA)-one third reservation of seats at all 3- tiers level
for women.
2.Panchayat empowerment & accountability Incentive Scheme(PEAIS)- central sector plan scheme for
MoPR and to measure performance of states thru devolution index(DI)
3.e-panchayat mission mode project (MMP)- to harness potential of ICT(information of communication
technology) for e- governance in panchayat & to ensure transparency & accountability in their
functioning thru information disclosure,social audit & management.
4.Rajiv Gandhi panchayat sasktikaran abhiyan- to enhance capacities & effectiveness of panchayat &
gram sabha and to promote peoples participation.
73 rd amendment to Indian constitution (1992)- has made panchayats the third tier of Indian political
system MCQ
Rajasthan was the 1 st state to adopt PR system in 1959.This move was throttled due to various
micro & macro factors ranging from non-elections,suspension of local govt,misuse of authority & power
,lack of adequate representation of minorities.Women were regarded only as recipients of welfare
rather than contributors to developmentdefeating very essence of PR.
It is anticipated that discords are likely to arise amongst 4 important subsystems of PR,namely the

local level politician,senior level politician,vested interest groups (business

community,contractors,religious organization.) & bureaucrats.COMMON BASIS for this problem is
redistribution of powers.
After 1970, impact of PR system on record was low profile.
Present PRI owe their existence to PM Rajiv Gandhi idea of institutionalizing & constitutionalising
PRI & PM Narasimha Rao carried forward this gigantic task & enacted 73rd amendment to constitution
which is MAGNA CARTA
Article 40 state shall take steps to organize village panchayats & endow them with such powers &
authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self govt.
State govt are reqd to appoint local finance commission under 73 rd amendment act.
Like women ,SCs are also subjected to harassment ,humiliation & denial to hold offices & exercise
functions that belong to them as elected members of PRIs
Lack of qualified & willing SC candidates REAL problem in fielding candidates for reserved seats.
SOLUTION-1.political will & wisdom of politicians are reqd to take necessary measures to protect
interest of weaker sections who are prevented from enjoying their rights.2.Like food security act it is
better that 73rd amendment act implementation is taken by govt. of India as its responsibility.

Role of Panchayat samiti in PR.

Human development as an approach is concerned with what I take to be the basic development
idea;namely advancing the richness of human life,rather than richness of economy in which human
beings live,which is only a part of it Prof Amartya sen (nobel laureate in economics)
v PS is the linking pin between ZP and gram panchayat.
v As an intermediate institution of local self governance PS should not only be accountable to ZP but
also facilitator of funds to GP.Generally each GP tries to focus on its own area development but PS
helps them to prioritize their needs & demands and communicate the same to ZP thru its prospective
plan.
v Just creation of system,structure & institutions for better local governance by providing autonomy &
participatory management at all levels is not enuf,rather to create a sustainable people centered &
people powered environment in which all communities can exercise their voices & choices & thereby
get involved.

INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY STILL A LONG WAY AHEAD

As Abraham Lincoln has said democracy is govt. of people ,by people, for people. But in present time
democracy described rightly by Joseph Stiglitz words as of the 1%,by the 1%, for the 1%.
Challenges1.Economici. According to NSSO data based on 66 th consumption expenditure pace of reduction in poverty has
been slowest in bottom (15% of population )
ii. Decline in poverty ratio is more in rural areas than in urban areas cause of concern as urban
population is increasing & projected that by 2050,2/3rd will be called urban population & poverty issue

will be main issue as more people will be migrating to urban areas for various reasons.
2.Social-issue of farmers suicide disturbing phenomenon. Main reason for suicide is their indebtedness
because of rising input cost & not getting any remunerative prices for their procedure.(Maharashtra
tops farmers suicide)
3.Political-women are inadequately represented in field of political sphere because of gender based
inequalities.
Article 325-equal right to participation in political activities
Article326-equal right to vote in political activities

Credit goes to 73 rd n 74 th amendment (women participation increased in PRIs ,urban local govt)
WOMEN participation in different LS elctions especially increased since 10 th lok sabha(1991-96)
in numbers.
Conclusion-for inclusive democracy, only participation not sufficient but in economic,social &
political sphere for all sections of society should be increased.

GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT?

Former UN secretary general ,Kofi Annan once said,good governance is perhaps the single most imp
factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development
Term good governance used for 1st time by world bank -1992.
Recently President Obama has said that what Africa reqd for development are not strong men but
strong institutions & good governance.
IT is one that encompasses whole range of social,political and economic activities & not confined to
economic acspects alone.
NREGA reflects requirement of citizens & excellent example of critical linkage between governance
and development.
Bad governance-various scams.ADASRH co-op housing society,IPL,2G spectrum,delay in legal
proceedings,wasteful expenditure of govt funds by corrupt politicians & bureaucrats.etc
Impact of good governance is security of life and property, access to justice & rule of law.
Not a daunting task ,if adequate political will in economy.

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