Evolution of the Panchayati Raj

The Panchayati Raj is a vital fundamental level of administrative governance that implies most importantly in rural areas such as; tehsils, Zilla, blocks and villages and the evolution of the Panchayati Raj has also been quite drastic with encompassing time. The Panchayati Raj system has prevailed in India for a long time from the prehistoric period and was officially implemented as a government act of the 73rd amendment of the constitution. The ordinance and the regulations of the Panchayati Raj were also included in part IX of the Indian Constitution. The Panchayati Raj is mainly described as an organization or committee of five members tasked with fulfilling the requirements and objectives of the Panchayati Raj in areas containing more than two million inhabitants. Further with the visionary approach to progressing the development of India the evolution of the Panchayati Raj has been a fascinating and vital aspect. The objectives of the Panchayati Raj in India have also been through several improvements such as the creation of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as well as the number of committees appointed. The overseeing of the advocacy and monitoring of `the completion of the objectives of the Panchayati Raj varies both among state and government levels with the responsibility held by Block Development Officers, Sarpanchs and Indian Administrative service cadre at each level along with a various number of appointed committees established to observe the norms and work together for any specific issue, problem or error in the system of the Panchayati Raj. 

What is the Panchayati Raj system?

The Panchayati raj is a decentralised local form of government usually effective and employed for areas or regions from rural sections with populations more than two million. The Panchayati Raj system mainly focuses on areas that require progress and the objectives of the Panchayati Raj are aimed at improving the condition of life, developing the area and managing other crucial resources through optimum monitoring. The evolution of the Panchayati Raj has seen its improvement and contributed to enhancing the responsibilities as well its function at various levels of the Panchayati Raj Institutions. 

Evolution of the Panchayati Raj

The evolution of Panchayati Raj is not a condition that can be described in two to three lines, rather for learning more we need to take a deep look. The Panchayati Raj system is said to have existed from the prehistoric period in India when people used to live more by the laws of Veda and nature. The Vedas such as Rig Veda even contain documents that depict the presence of “sabhas” or a collective gathering of a mass present to solve or discuss their problems. These self-governing bodies are considered to date back to 1700 BC and hence the evolution of the Panchayati Raj can be considered an extensive and prehistoric event. These bodies with encompassing time are said to have evolved into Panchayats or councils of five individuals that work upon fulfilling the objectives of the Panchayati Raj system. The Panchayati raj system was also considered an important role by Mahatma Gandhi during British rule as he established the system to bring a sense of unity and freedom. 

The committees established by the government

The evolution of the Panchayati Raj has also seen the establishment of a number of appointed committees that have aimed to the proper working of the objectives of the Panchayati Raj as well as oversee the functioning of the system properly. Some of them are:

• Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Initially established by the Government of India to monitor the working of two of its earlier bodies of the Panchayati Raj, the committee reverted its report in November 1957, in which the introduction of the aspect of ‘democratic decentralization‘ first appears. 
• Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-1978): This committee was the first of a number of appointed committees to propose constitutional recognition.  It was proposed and established by the Janata government of the time to study and improve the system of local bodies. 
• L M Singhvi Committee (1986): Primarily established by Late. Rajeev Gandhi for enriching the evolution of the Panchayati Raj system effectively. The committee also aimed at working toward the objectives of the Panchayati Raj properly. 

Conclusion

The article has aimed at explaining the evolution of the Panchayati Raj through its occurrence and relation to governmental acts and amendments. The narrative also focuses on how the establishment objectives of the Panchayati Raj play an important role and how it came to occur through the creation of a number of appointed committees.