Panchayats have
been the backbone of the Indian villages since the beginning of the recorded
history. Gandhiji s dream of every village being a republic or Panchayats
having powers has been translated into reality with the introduction of
three-tier Panchayati Raj system to enlist people’s participation in rural reconstruction.
Panchayati Raj System generally refers to the
rural local self-government system in India, which is mainly under the control
of the State Government. According to 2011 Census of India, 121 crore Indians, 83.3 crores live in
rural areas while 37.7 crore stays in urban areas. In
1992, vide 73rd constitutional amendment, part IX titled “The Panchayats” were
introduced in the Constitution of India. The
Acts came into force as the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 on April
24, 1993.
The main
objective of the system is to develop a method of decentralization and
devaluation of powers, functions and authority to the rural folk with a view to
ensure rapid socioeconomic progress and speedier and inexpensive justice. This
is to be achieved through increasing agricultural production, development of
cottage and rural industries, fuller and proper utilization of available local,
natural and human resources with the active participation of the people.
Besides progressive decentralization of powers and authority, it aims at
improving the living standard of the rural people in general and the weaker
sections in particular. The Panchayati Raj institutions (PRI)
consist of a three-tier system at
district, intermediary and village level, except in those states where the population is less than 20 lakhs.
GRAM PANCHAYAT
Gram Panchayat is
a local self-government institution at the village or small town level in India
and has a Sarpanch (Mukhia) as an elected head. A Gram Panchayat
consists of 7 to 17 members, elected from the ward of the village, and they are
called a ‘panch’. The Act provides for the reservation of not less than
one-third of the total number of seats for women (including the number of seats
reserved for the SCs and STs). To establish a Gram Panchayat in a village the
population of the village should be at least 500 people of voting age.
Sarpanch is an
ex-officio member of the Panchayat Samiti and participates in its
decision-making as well as in the election of the Pradhan and of the members of
various Standing Committees.
PANCHAYAT SAMITI
Panchayat Samiti
is a local Government body at the Tehsil level in India. It works for the
villages of the Tehsil that together are called a Development Block. The
Panchayat Samiti is a link between the Gram Panchayat (village council) and the
Zila Parisad (district Board). A Panchayat Samiti is composed of elected
members of the area and the Block Development Officer, otherwise unrepresented
members, associate members of that Panchayat Block on the Zila Parishad.
The Samitis
elected for five years and is headed by a chairman and Deputy Chairman elected
by the members of the Panchayat Samiti. Panchayat Samiti collects all the
prospective plans prepared at Gram Panchayat level and processes them for
funding and implementation by evaluating them from the angles of financial
constraints, social welfare and area development.
ZILA PARISHAD
District Council
or Zila Parishad is the third Tier of the Panchayat system. It is an elected
body. Chairpersons or Block Pramukhs of Block Samitis are also represented in
Zila Paridsad. Councillors are chosen by direct election from electoral divisions in the District and The Chairmen of all the Panchayat
Samitis form the members of Zilla Parishad.
The Chief
Executive officer, who is an IAS or a state Civil Service Officer, heads the
administrative machinery of the Zila Parishad. He may also be District
Magistrate in some states; the CEO supervises the divisions of the parishad and
executes the development schemes.
Thus, the panchayat system
in India assumes a very significant role because nearly 80% of its population
lives in villages, spread over about 95% of its geographical area. This system
is quite rational, practicable and in perfect harmony with the spirit of
democracy and should be further strengthened and encouraged by providing
adequate resources, funds and generous grants. The reservation of seats for
women, scheduled castes and tribes in panchayats is a welcome step, for it
would make the institution of panchayat more democratic, representative and
balanced. The panchayat elections are conducted and supervised by the Election
Commission to ensure free and fair elections. All these measures ensure a
bright and long-lasting future of panchayat system in India.
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A History Of Panchayathi Raj Institution And Rural Development Programs In India ~ Link
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