Introduction to Panchayat Raj

The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, pointed out the importance of the autonomy of the villages in the country. Therefore, the basic concept behind the Panchayati System in the country comes from the principle and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which is also a Directive Principle of Indian Policy, deals with the significance of the Panchayati system in the country. The first Prime Minister of India- Jawaharlal Nehru- thought of the Panchayati system as a crucial social, political, and economic institution. 

The three-tier structure for rural development in the Indian Administrative systems is widely known as the Panchayati Raj. The primary goal of this system is the development of the local governments of the several villages, zones, and districts of the country. The Panchayati systems in the country have been established in several states and Union Territories. However, few states and union territory are exempted from the system of Panchayati Raj- Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Darjeeling, Delhi, and other secluded and hilly terrains in the country. 

The article further discusses the three-tier structure in the country, with respect to Panchayat Raj and rural development. 

Evolution

The idea of the system of Panchayati Raj in the country is not entirely based on the ideals of post-independent India. For centuries, one of the most dominant systems of polity in the country has been the Panchayati system. Therefore, Panchayat Raj and rural development have been the basis of several Indian villages. The importance of these systems was undermined by foreign domination, forced social and economic conditions in the country. However, in the pre-independence era, these panchayats were heavily based on the caste system and the domination of upper castes. 

After independence and the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, the system of local governance evolved. A number of committees were formed by the Government of India for the studying and implementation of governance at the local and rural levels. These committees also suggested ways and procedures to gain their objective. These committees are- 

• Balwant Mehta Committee
• G V Rao Committee
• Ashok Mehta Committee
• L M Singhvi Committee

With passing time and the phases of globalisation, privatisation, and liberalisation- the Panchayati system was made accessible to people through several software. E-Panchayat is an initiative of the e-government for the Panchayati Raj and rural development. E-panchayat aims at transforming the institution of the Panchayati System to a more transparent, and modern one. 

Panchayati Structure

Panchayati Raj is the governance at the local and rural levels. It provides the people from villages the opportunity to participate in their own governing bodies. This structure of this system can be seen as-

1. Gram Panchayat: Gram Panchayat is the first level of governance in the rural areas. The Gram Panchayat along with the Panchs is accountable to the Gram Sabha. 
2. Panchayat Samiti: The Panchayati Samiti looks after the financial distribution in the Gram Panchayats of the respective states. Each state has its own respective laws concerning the Panchayats. 
3. Zila Parishad: Zila Parishad is considered as the highest structure of local government. This tier comes above the Panchayati Samiti. 

Now, let us look at the important Constitutional Amendment Act concerning these Panchayati Systems in the country. 

73rd Amendment Act

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 was included in Part IX of the Constitution of India. It provided shape and structure to Article 40 of the Indian Constitution. It was one of the most important steps taken by the government in providing a more democratic body at the grassroots unit of the country. Few of the salient features of the act are as follows-

• Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat
• Three-tier structure
• The act detailed the five-year tenure to the panchayats
• Reservation of seats for SC/ST, women members, and Backward Classes in the society, concerning the Panchayati System
• The election procedure of the chairmen and the members of the Panchayati system
• The act provides for provision for the disqualification of the members of the Panchayati Raj
• Continuity of the given and passed laws concerning the local governance and Panchayati system

The 73rd Amendment Act has two types of provisions. These provisions are- Voluntary Provisions and Compulsory Provisions. The Voluntary Provisions points at the liberties of the state governments. While the compulsory provisions are compounded to the state laws. 

Conclusion

The three-tier structure for rural development in the Indian Administrative systems is widely known as the Panchayati Raj. The structure consists of Gram Panchayat, Panchayati Samiti, and Zila Parishad. The basic idea behind the Panchayati System came from the principles and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which is also a Directive Principle of Indian Policy, deals with the significance of the Panchayati system in the country. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 was included in Part IX of the Constitution of India. It provided shape and structure to Article 40 of the Indian Constitution. The idea of the system of Panchayati Raj in the country is not entirely based on the ideals of post-independent India. For centuries, one of the most dominant systems of polity in the country has been the Panchayati system.