Panchayti ..
Local Self-Government in India
Panchayati Raj refers to the system of local self-government in rural areas, established under the 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992
Panchayati Raj : A Timeline
1882 - Local Self Government (Resolution of 1882).
1919 - Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
1957 - Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
1977 - Ashok Mehta Committee
1984 - Hanumantha Rao Committee
1985- G.V.K. Rao Committee.
1986- L.M. Singhvi Committee.
1992- 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendment.
Evolution of Panchayats in India
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)
Recommendations
• Three-tier Panchayati Raj system
• Direct election for village panchayats.
• Indirect election for panchayat samiti (executive body) and zila parishad (advisory, coordinating
and supervisory body).
• The district collector should be the chairman of Zila Parishad.
• Adequate resources should be transferred to these bodies.
Ashok Mehta Committee (1977)
• 2 tiers (Zila parishad and mandal panchayat ).
• PRIs should have compulsory powers of taxation
• Official participation of political parties at all levels of panchayat elections.
• State government should not supersede the PRIs.
• Recommended Nyaya Panchayat (presided over by a qualified judge ).
• Reservation of Seats: for SCs and STs
• Recommended Constitutional Recognition to (PRIs)
Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984)
• Separate district planning bodies
• Decentralised planning function should be done at the district level.
G V K Rao Committee (1985)
• Zila Parishad should become the principal body
• PRIs at district & lower levels should be assigned planning & development
• Creation of the post of District Development Commissioner.
• Regular elections should be held.
L M Singhvi Committee (1986)
• Three tiers
• Zila parishad integrated administrative structures for planning and development
• District development officer must be CEO of zila parishad
• Constitutional recognition to PRI with addition of a new chapter in the Constitution of India.
Thungon Committee ( 1988)
• Three tiers
• Zila parishad: planning and development
• Fixed tenure of 5 years
• Reservation for women
• District collector – CEO of zila parishad
Gadgil Committee ( 1988)
• Three tiers
• Executive body: panchayat committee
• Recommended constitutionality
• Planning and development at district level
• Direct elections for members of the Panchayats at all the three levels.
• Fixed five years term of Panchayati Raj institutions.
73RD AMENDMENT ACT OF 1992
Based on the above recommendations of various committees, the Parliament enacted the 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which gave the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India
constitutional status.
