Panchayati Raj

• The term Panchayati Raj in India signifies the system of rural local self-government.
  
• It is entrusted with rural development. As per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, the panchayat raj system is established.

Committees on the Evolution of the Panchayat Raj-

Balwant Rai Mehta Committee - 1957

• In January 1957, the Government of India appointed a committee to examine the working of the Community Development Program(1952) and the National Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their better working.
  
• This committee had recommended for the three-tier panchayati raj system–gram panchayat at the village level, panchayat samiti at the block level and zila parishad at the district level.
  
• The recommendations of the committee were accepted in January 1958 (By NDC).
  
• Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj (at Nagaur district on October 2, 1959).
  
• Next Andhra Pradesh (1959).
  
• Tamil Nadu adopted the two-tier system. West Bengal adopted the four-tier system.

Ashok Mehta Committee - 1977

• In December 1977, the Janata Government appointed this committee.
• The chairman was Ashok Mehta.
  
• It submitted its report in August 1978 and made 132 recommendations.
  
• This committee had recommended for the two-tier panchayati raj system zila parishad at the district level, and below it, the mandal panchayat.
  
• Three states, Karnataka, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, implemented the recommendations of this committee.

G.V.K. Rao Committee - 1986

• This Committee is appointed to review the Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation Programmed.
  
• This committee was appointed by the Planning Commission in 1985.
  
• Submitted its report in1986,
  
• The Dantwala Committee Report on Block-Level Planning (1978)
  
• The Hanumantha Rao Committee Report on District Planning (1984).

L M Singhvi Committee - 1986

• Rajiv Gandhi government appointed a committee to ‘Revitalizes the Panchayati Raj Institutions for Democracy and Development’ in 1986.
• It recommended for the constitutionalization of Panchayat raj institution.
• It recommended for the establishment of Nyaya Panchayats.

Thungon Committee - 1988

• It was a sub-committee.
  
• The chairman was P.K. Thungon.
  
• To examine the political and administrative structure in the district.
  
• The Panchayati Raj bodies should be constitutionally recognized.
  
• This committee had recommended for three-tier system of Panchayati Raj with panchayats at the village, block and district levels.

Gadgil Committee – 1988

Narasimha Rao Government

• Introduced a constitutional amendment bill in the Lok Sabha in September, 1991.
  
• Finally emerged as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 and came into force on 24 April, 1993.
  
• This act has added a new Part-IX to the Constitution of India.
  
• Articles 243 to 243 O.
  
• A new Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution. This schedule contains 29 functional items of the panchayats. It deals with Article 243-G.
  
• The act has given a practical shape to Article 40 of DPSP.

Salient Features -

Gram Sabha

• The act provides for a Gram Sabha as the foundation of the panchayati raj system.

Three-Tier System

• Panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels.

Election of Members and Chairpersons

• All the members of panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels shall be elected directly by the people.

Reservation of Seats

29 functional items of panchayats-

1. Agriculture, including agricultural extension
   
2. Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and soil conservation
   
3. Minor irrigation, water management and watershed development
   
4. Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry
   
5. Fisheries
   
6. Social forestry and farm forestry
   
7. 7. Minor forest produce
   
8. Small-scale industries, including food processing industries
   
9. Khadi, village and cottage industries
   
10. Rural housing
    
11. Drinking water
    
12. Fuel and fodder
    
13. Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, waterways and other means of communication
    
14. Rural electrification, including distribution of electricity
    
15. Non-conventional energy sources
    
16. Poverty alleviation program me
    
17. Education, including primary and secondary schools
    
18. Technical training and vocational education
    
19. Adult and non-formal education
    
20. Libraries
    
21. Cultural activities
    
22. Markets and fairs
    
23. Health and sanitation including hospitals, primary health centers and dispensaries
    
24. Family welfare
    
25. Women and child development
    
26. Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded
    
27. Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes
    
28. Public distribution system
    
29. Maintenance of community assets.

Important Articles-

243A. Gram Sabha
243D. Reservation of seats
243E. Duration of panchayats
243G. Powers, authority and responsibilities of panchayats
243H. Powers to impose taxes by, and funds of, the panchayats
243K. Elections to the panchayats
243L. Application to union territories