Panchayat Raj
(Democratic Decentralization)
Democracy Greek roots -‘demos’ – the people ‘cracy’ - rule of
Decentralization –
Devolution of central authority among local units close
to the area served.
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Meaning of Democratic Decentralization
• The governance of the people, by the people & for the
people.
• System of Govt, horizontally it is a network of Panchayat
& vertically an organized growth of Panchayat.
• Rule by majority and consultation
• Pooling the intelligence and experience
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Gandhiji asserted that
“Unless panchayats were invested
with adequate powers, villagers
cannot have real Swaraj.”
• In January 1957, GOI appointed a committee under the
chairmanship of Balwantray Mehta to review the CD programme.
• Committee recommended a three-tier system of local government.
• Launched “Panchayat Raj” by Jawaharlal Nehru.
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Difference between CD PROGRAMME & PRI
CDP relies entirely on persuasion,
works with ad-hoc groups through
their natural leaders
While, PRI functions on the basis of legal
compulsion, works with entire community through
its chosen leaders, according to some laid down
procedure, discharge functions as the state or
central govt. agent
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Need for democratic decentralization
• After independence Indian administration was described as
democracy at the top and dictatorship at the bottom.
• People were not associated with the administration in lower
tiers, from the district downwards.
• CDP review committee recommended in their report that
“the time had arrived for India to have greater faith and
trust in the people for their own welfare. ”
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Implementation
• Approved by NDC in 1958
• Pilot blocks : Madras state – 1957
Andra Pradesh – July 1958
• Rajasthan – pioneer state – 2 Oct.1959
• Andhra Pradesh – 1 Nov. 1959
• Maharashtra –1962
• Inter state variation
• To grant constitutional status & uniformity, 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
w.e.f. 24th April 1993.
• Ministry of Panchayati Raj- 27th May 2004
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Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992
• Establishment of Gram Sabha
Establishment of three tier (Middle level not in the states having
population less than 20 lakh)
Member selection by indirect election, whereas president decided
by direct election
Ex-officio member at every level
1/3 reservation for women
Reservation to SC, ST in proportion to their population
Term of five years
State finance commission governing financial authority
State election commission to conduct election
Representatives & officials training
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Finding of survey conducted before enforcement of 73rd
Amendment
Findings:
Out of the chairpersons of panchayat
25% big farmers
77% from upper class
Only 7% SC & 15% ST
3% women (41% SC)
13% graduates,24% primary level, 7% illiterate
Extremely poor deliberations in panchayat level meeting
During 12 month of survey, 39% sample panchayat did not conduct meeting
even once
Women entrance in panchayat due to persuasion of family, community or
political parties
However, women show greater maturity in outlook, enthusiasm,
consciousness of their role & responsibilities
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After enforcement of 73rd amendment, it is hoped that
PRI will emerge more strong & dynamic
However, success will depend on the extent transfer of
rural development functions & devolution of financial &
administrative powers
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Three tier system
• Village level (grassroot) – Village/Gram Panchayat
• Block level (middle) – Panchayat Samitis
• District level (apex) – Zila Parishad
Recommendation of Committee
New bodies were to have wide power & adequate finance
Administrative decentralization for effective execution
Administrative system under control of elected bodies
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Election to PRI
• Under the supervision of Panchayat Raj Election
Commission of the state
• Members of Panchayats elected indirectly
• President of Village Panchayat has to be decided by
direct election.
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Reservation of seats
• Reservation for the weaker sections (SC & ST) in
proportion to their population & area to ensure
participation in decision making process
• 1/3 seats reserved for women (including SC, ST
women’s reserved seats)
• Not less than 1/3 of the total number of chairpersons
reserved for women likewise SC & ST categories.
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Tenure
Five years for every Panchayat unless dissolved earlier
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Resources
• Authorized to levy, collect and appropriate suitable local
taxes
• State grants
• State Finance Commission appointed to review, to assess
financial position of Panchayat and to recommend to the
states the pattern of distribution of funds between the state
and PRIs.
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Extension Organization in PRI
Non - Official Official
Parliament Secretary
National Development Council Ministry of Panchayat Raj
Prime Minister (Chairman)
State Legislative Development
State Dev.Commissioner
Committee
Additional ..,,.. ..,,..
Chief Minister (Chairman)
Panchayat Raj ..,,.. ..,,..
State chamber of PR
Secretary,
Chairman, Zilla Parishad CEO/Collector/Dy.Commissioner
Chairman, Panchayat Samiti Panchayat Union
Commissioner/BDO
President, Village Panchayat Village Development Officer
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Villagers
Gram/Village Panchayat
Gram Sabha consists of all adult members registered as voters
It provides effective peoples’ participation
It considered as the only means of direct democracy where all
important decisions have to be arrived
Also, serve the purpose of training ground especially the
younger generation
Gram Sabha has to meet atleast thrice in a year
Quorum shall be 1/3
Presided over by President
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Functions of Gram Panchayat
Constitution, repair and maintenance of ward
Lighting
Construction of drains & disposal of sewage
Cleaning of streets & improvement of sanitary condition
Provisions for public latrines & its cleanliness
Opening and maintaining burial grounds
Sinking & repairing of wells, repair and maintenance of
ponds, tanks, construction and maintenance of water works.
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Powers of Gram Panchayat
Planting and preservation of trees
Lighting of public roads & places
Control of fairs and festivals
Construction of works of public utility, provision of facilities
for safety, health, comfort, conveyance, culture or recreation.
Opening and maintenance
Public markets, Cart stands, Halting places, Public cattle
sheds, Public slaughter house, Reading home, Community TV
sets, Playgrounds, Parks, Sports clubs, Literacy centres for
imparting social education.
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Taxation and finance of Gram Panchayat
Shares of local cess, house tax, vehicle tax, stamp duty
surcharge, house tax matching grants, tolls, fee for markets,
income from endowment, share of entertainment tax, fine
and penalties.
Economic development and social justice
Each village panchayat will prepare a plan for economic
development and social justice including implementation of
programmes and schemes of the government.
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Functions Panchayat Samiti
Construction& maintenance of Public roads, house for the poor, shops and
stalls, elementary schools.
Maintenance of dispensaries, maternity & child welfare centres
Preventive & remedial measures of epidemics or malaria
Control of notified fairs and festivals
Veterinary relief
Regulation of buildings
Opening & maintenance of public market
Maintenance of statistics of birth and deaths
Promotion of agriculture, cottage industries
Other duties mentioned by the govt. relating to agri., AH, village industries and
schemes for economic development and also reviews of schemes, programmes
& other activities drprofessionals.in
Taxation and finance of Panchayat Samiti
Shares of local cess, house tax, matching grants, rental of common property
resources, local educational grants, local road grants, fee on licences, fees
levied by public market, fees for temporary occupation, receipts from
dispensaries and income from endowments, entry/parking fee for vehicles.
Proportionate share from tax, income from ferries, interest on investments,
fines and penalties.
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Economic development and social justice
Each panchayat union/samiti will prepare a plan for
economic development and social justice including
implementation of programmes and schemes of the
government.
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Zilla Parishad
Functions:
Advise on all matters of development undertaken by
panchayats and panchayat unions to the Government
Watching and reviewing the progress of the programme
Taxation and finance
All grants, all rents from lands or other property, interest on
securities and penalties
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Economic development and social justice
Each District panchayat will prepare a plan for economic
development and social justice including implementation of
programmes and schemes of the government.
District planning committee
MP, MLAs, Chairman of the district panchayat
Functions:
Consolidate the plans ZP, PS, GP, Municipal Councils &
Municipal Corporations
Prepare a draft of development plan for the whole district
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