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.SoPRI(panchayat raj institutions) = local self govtbodies;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.
73
rd
and 74
th
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 Anchalikpanchayat
Bihar,Jharkhand,Haryana,HP,Tripura,WB,MH,
Orrisa,Punjab,Rajasthan
Panchayatsamiti

Panchayatsamiti- 20 to 60 villages =area,population
Pradhan-President of panchayatsamiti.He/she is ex-officio chairman of standing
committees of samiti.
Function of panchayatsamiti-to coordinate activities of various panchayats within its
jurisdiction.
3.District level-
Zillaparishad
Tamilnadu,Kerala& Gujarat district panchayat
To coordinate activities of Panchayatsamiti within its jurisdiction
The state of Maharashtra has been historical progressive in the sphere of PR.Its
comprehensive zillaparishad&panchayatsamiti 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-
chandigarhbottom 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
Villagepanchayatact(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

Govtprogrammes for empowerment of PR :-
1.Panchayatmahilayuvashaktiabhiyaan(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 panchayatsasktikaranabhiyan- 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 73
rd
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 required 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 73
rd
amendment act implementation is
taken by govt. of India as its responsibility.
Role of Panchayatsamiti 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 Amartyasen (nobel
laureate in economics)
PS is the linking pin between ZP and gram panchayat.
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.
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%.
Challenges-
1.Economic-
i. 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 2050,2/3
rd
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

o Credit goes to 73
rd
n 74
th
amendment (women participation increased in PRIs ,urban
local govt)
o WOMEN participation in different LS elctions especially increased since
10
th
loksabha(1991-96) in numbers.
o 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 1
st
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.

Reference
1.kurukshetra magazine
Karan Rajpal