Panchayati Raj

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The Panchayat (पंचायत in Devanagiri) is an Indian political system which groups five ("panch") villages in a quincunx (four peripheral villages around a central one). Each has appointed tasks and responsibilities, such as cart-making or basket-weaving. The central village, usually the largest of the Panchayat, traditionally handles food storage and meeting-places for officials, as well as their residences. ‘Panchayat’ literally means assembly (yat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the village community. Traditionally, these assemblies settle disputes between individuals and villages.

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[edit] Panchayati Raj

The term ‘panchayat raj’ is relatively new, having originated during the British administration. 'Raj' literally means governance or government. Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayati Raj, a decentralized form of Government where each village is responsible for its own affairs, as the foundation of India's political system. His term for such a vision was "Gram Swaraj" (Village Self-governance).

It was adopted by state governments during the 1950s and 60s as laws were passed to establish Panchayats in various states. It also found backing in the Indian Constitution, which was amended in 1992 to accommodate the idea. Although political and caste undercurrents among the voters have prevented strong adoption of this concept (Humans Rights Watch, 1999), it has has been accepted and effectively implemented in many states of India.[citation needed]

In the history of Panchayati Raj in India, on April 24, 1993, the Constitutional (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 came into force to provide constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions. This Act was extended to Panchayats in the tribal areas of eight States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan from 24th December, 1996.

The Act aims to provide 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having population of over 20 lakh, to hold Panchayat elections regularly every 5 years, to provide reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Women, to appoint State Finance Commission to make recommendations as regards the financial powers of the Panchayats and to constitute District Planning Committee to prepare draft development plan for the district.

Powers and responsibilities are delegated to Panchayats at the appropriate level :-

  • Preparation of plan for economic development and social justice.
  • Implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice in relation to 29 subjects given in Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
  • To levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees.

[edit] Village level (Panchayat)

Panchayati Raj is a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the basic units of administration. It has 3 levels-village, block and district. At the village level, it is called a Panchayat. It is a local body working for the good of the village. It can have its members ranging from 7 to 31. However, in exceptions, it can have members above 31 but not below 7.

[edit] Village councils

Panchayat also refers to a council of elected members taking decisions on issues key to a village's social, cultural and economic life: thus, a panchayat is also a village's body of elected representatives. The council leader is named sarpanch in Hindi, and each member is a panch. The panchayat acts as a conduit between the local government and the people. Decisions are taken by a majority vote (Bahumat). It is said that in such a system, each villager can voice his opinion in the governance of his village.[citation needed] Decisions are taken without lengthy legal procedures and the process remains for the most part transparent.[citation needed]


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