Features of Panchayati Raj System

The Framework of the Panchayati Raj System

Panchayat Raj, prevalent in Indian village communities, comprises three levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) who are responsible for establishing legal order and control over the local village affairs. The institutions are entrusted with the activities of promoting primary education and healthcare facilities, modernizing agriculture, encouraging women empowerment in villages, etc. A three-level hierarchical structure is followed for union territories and states exceeding two million residents. For states with less than two million people, a two-level Panchayat Raj System acts as the local governing body. 

Common Features of Three-Tiers Panchayati Raj System

The grass-root level governing body is referred to as a gram panchayat. Gram panchayat members who are selected by the Gram Sabha, comprise a democratic committee that is segregated into wards. An individual ward head or the ‘panch’ works under the village President known as ‘Sarpanch’. To regulate the legal pursuits the State Government appoints a Secretary of the Panchayat. 

The next sub-divisional level of administration in villages lies in the hands of Panchayat Samiti. This acts as a bridge to relay communication between the Panchayats and the Zila Parishad (the highest level of administrative assembly in the Panchayati Raj System). The development proposals are received by the Panchayat Samiti who evaluates them based on their order of importance at the block level including around ten adjacent villages. Once a plan passes through this stage, funding is raised by the Mandal Samiti for the effective execution of the plan. 

The district-level administrative council or the Zila Parishad is made up of blockheads from each block. Both the candidates who’ve been previously elected for the State Legislature, as well as the country’s Parliament members, can represent the Zila Parishad. This level is in charge of controlling and coordinating the developmental works in the Panchayats. It scrutinizes the proposed budget of the Panchayat Samiti and acts as a liaison of the State Government. 

Following the 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution, we witnessed several insurgent features of the Panchayati raj system in India. A new XI program described the functional authority of Panchayati Raj Institutions and at the same time specified the roles of the State Legislature. Let us take a look at a few additional features of the Panchayati raj system in India:

As we discussed the structural pattern of the Panchayat, now let us understand the expression ‘Gram Sabha’. A Gram Sabha is organized by taking into account the village residents within the Panchayat area. They must be adults with electoral rights. It is the only permanent body among the common features of the three-tier Panchayati raj system. Regardless of the level of administration, the posts about a Panchayat Raj Institution have to be filled through direct elections. Only the district and block level Chairman positions are appointed by indirect election so that the State Government can monitor the course of funded activities in the concerned village areas. A candidate who wishes to stand in the Panchayat election must cross the age limit of 21 years. 

Other features of the Panchayati raj system in India ensure that democratic and humanitarian rights are given to all classes of the society. One-third of the electoral positions are reserved for women while the reservation for minority classes like scheduled castes and scheduled tribes depends on their population in a specific panchayat raj system at all levels. After successful elections, a PRI governs for five years. In case of any discrepancy if the institution disbands another election must be conducted within six months under the supervision of the State Election Commission. 

Salient Features of Model Accounting System for Panchayati Raj

Model accounting system for panchayats evolved in 2013 when a subcommittee standardized cash-dependent accounting by incorporating the audit section. The aim was to bring transparency to the funding furnished to the PRI to ease the tracking of accounts and finance. It also led to the foundation of the Central Plan Scheme Monitoring body. 

A few salient features of the model accounting system Panchayati raj are:

• To ensure superior planning and execution, the central programs have been entrusted with specialized subheads under the supervision of a minor candidate
• 23 major heads look after the expenses of 29 functions mentioned in the schedule XI of 1992
• 6 Major heads handle the 12 responsibilities stated in schedule XI
• Considering the boom in fairs and market business, a separate major head has been recruited to record the income and expenditure of markets
• The nomenclature of the heads abides by their functions
• The major heads are assigned a four-digit number code
• The minor heads are assigned a two-digit code
• At times, the minor heads are assisted with object heads to execute functions like demand collection, bookkeeping of receivable and payable amounts, balancing registers

Conclusion

Panchayat Raj System is the local governing body of villages across India. The Panchayati Raj Institutions are prevalent in the Indian subcontinent since 1959. Modernization in the Constitution led to the introduction of several features of the Panchayati raj system in India. It gives democratic rights to the villagers. The candidates are elected through cooperation for a tenure of five years. Funds for development programs are raised by Zila Parishad at the district level. The roots of the system date back to several centuries before independence.