Panchayati Raj System
WHY PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM IS REQUIRED?
The main goal of “ Panchayati Raj System” is to implement “Decentralization of Power”
It is a form of “Local Self Government” in Rural areas.
It is to implement democracy at the grass root level.
History
Panchayat has always existed in the Indian Society since ancient times
In Written records mention of Panchayat or some form of decentralization is found in :
Dharmashashtra
Arthashashtra
Buddhist texts
Gandhiji always supported the idea of “Gram Swarajya”
Among the Britishers “Lord Ripon” Suggested Local Self Government: Hence he was called “Father of Local Self Government in India”
The provision for Panchayati Raj was mentioned in Article 40 of Indian Constitution.
In 1957 Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was set up to suggest provision of Panchayati Raj System
. He suggested a 3 tier system for Panchayati Raj System
• The 1st Panchayati Raj was set up in Rajasthan followed by Andhra Pradesh . In 1959
After that many committees formed which made changes to PRS
Finally by 73rd amendment Act, 1992 Panchayati Raj was added in Constitution of India in Part 9 and Schedule 11.
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)
The present day Panchayati Raj system was introduced in 1959 on the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957).
But it didn't stick to the SINGLE MODEL for ALL STATES, it allowed the states to devise their own patterns, while the broad fundamentals were to be the same throughout the country.
Some created four-tier systems and Nyaya Panchayats.
Ashok Mehta Committee (1977)
The three- tier system of PRIs was to be replaced by a two-tier i.e. Zilla Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayat (a number of villages) below it
Political parties should participate at all levels
Zila Parishad to be made responsible for planning at the state level
A Minister for Panchayati Raj to be appointed by the state council of ministers
Constitutional recognition to be given to Panchayati Raj institutions.
G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985)
Set up by the Planning Commission
Revival of Panctiayati Raj institutions and highlighted the need to transfer powers to democratic bodies at the local level
That the ‘district’ should be the basic unit of planning and programme implementation and
Zilla Parishad to become the principal body for the management of all development programmes which can be handled at that level.
73rd and 74th Amendment
They are now a part of the Constitution and enjoy the status of institutions of self-government, as parliament at the federal level and legislative assemblies at the state level.
The amendment prescribes regular elections every five years and election within six months of the dissolution of any PRI.
To ensure free, fair, and timely elections there is a provision for the setting up of state election commission
□ The most revolutionary provision is the reservation of one-third of the seats for women in local bodies, along with reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in proportion to their regional populations.
□ The amendment lays down 29 functions to be entrusted to the PRIS.
Gram panchayat
All the adults (people who are more than 18 years old) in each ward elect a leader for their ward.
This leader is called a Panch.
The Panch is supposed to solve the problems of the ward and try to improve it.
All the adults in the village are considered to be a part of the team called the Gram Sabha.
All the Panchs in the village form a team. This team is called a Gram Panchayat.
All members of the Gram Sabha meet with the Gram Panchayat and then choose a head for the Gram Panchayat.
This head is called the Sarpanch.
Sar = head
Sarpanch is the head of the panch and thus the head of the village.
There is provision for reservation of seats for women and for scheduled casts and scheduled tribes.
The election for Sarpanch and all the other Panchs happen every five years.
Thus, the Gram Panchayat is elected for five years.
Function of Gram panchayat
There are number of functions perform by Gram Panchayats. These functions are divided into two categories, namely,
1. obligatory functions and
2. optional functions.
FOLLOWING ARE THE OBLIGATORY OR THE COMPULSORY FUNCTIONS:
Construction, repairs, maintenance, alteration and extension of village roads, provisions of lights on the roads and other places of public resort and removal of encroachments and obstructions on the roads and other public places.
Supply of drinking water to the villages. Adoption of preventive measures against epidemics and other
dangerous diseases, prevention of obnoxious and dangerous
trade, registration of births and deaths and the preparation of
the necessary records for the purpose. Preparation of census records of men and animals, maintenance of relevant records and submission of periodic records and
returns. Spread of primary education and its management.
Social conservation.
Control of Markets, ferries, fairs, Ghats and other public places. Adoption and cultivation.
Optional functions
Development and maintenance of village forests.
Development of the livestock.
Construction, management and control of slaughter houses. Reclamation of cultivable wastes and follows land.
Organization and management of multi-purpose co-operative societies.
Famine relief measures.
Establishment and maintenance of village libraries.
Marketing of agricultural produce
Maternity and child welfare and establishment of centers of the purpose.
Construction and maintenance of Dharmasalas and Rest houses.
Provision of adult education, establishment of primary schools with the
prior approval of the panchayat samiti.
Prevention of gambling and implementation of prohibition. To keep the records about the unemployed persons.
Panchayat Samiti
Panchayat Samiti elections are held every 5 years.
The members of the Panchayat Samiti choose a head who is called the Chairman.
The Panchayat Samiti chooses a new head again after 2½ years.
The Panchayat Samiti has a secretary appointed by the Government.
The secretary is called the Block Development Officer.
The Block Development Officer helps to coordinate the working of the Panchayat Samiti.
Function of panchayat samiti
Implement schemes for the development of agriculture.
Establishment of primary health centers and primary schools.
Supply of drinking water, drainage, construction/repair of roads.
Development of cottage and small-scale industries and opening of cooperative societies.
Establishment of youth organizations.
Zilla Parishad
The members of the Zilla Parishad choose a President amongst themselves.
The President (Adhyaksha) is the head of the Zilla Parishad.
After 2 ½ years, the members choose a president again.
The Zilla Parishad has a secretary appointed by the government.
The secretary is called the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The CEO is a person who has passed the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam.
The Zilla Parishad has ten committees
Standing
Education
Finance
Health
Works
Animal Husbandry
Agriculture
Women and Children
Social Welfare
Sanitation and Water
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE ZILLA PARISHAD:
Zilla Parishad should function as advisory body over the Panchayat Samiti with powers to:
a) approve their budgets,
b) co-ordinate their plans and
c) distribute funds given by the Government among the blocks.
It has to prepare plans for all items of developmental activities in the district including Municipal areas.
Secondary education is the responsibility of Zilla Parishad.
It should advise the Government in all matters relating to rural development in the district.