Ministry of Panchayati Raj (India)

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a branch of the Government of India.

In a federation the powers and functions of the government are divided among two governments. In India it is the Union Government and the various State Governments. However with the passage of 73rd and 74th amendment act of the Constitution of India, in 1993 the division of powers and functions have been further tickled down to Local Self Governments(Panchayat at Village levels and Municipalities and Municipal Corporations in towns&large cities). As such India now has not two but three tier of Governments in its federal setup.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj looks into all matters relating of Panchayati Raj and Panchayati Raj Institutions. It was created in May 2004. The ministry is headed by a minister of cabinet rank. As of May 2008, the ministry is headed by Mani Shankar Aiyar .

[edit] Functions of the Ministry

Ministry of Panchayati Raj is responsible for the work of advocacy for and monitoring of the implementation of Constitution 73rd Amendment Act the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas)Act.