Definitions [3]
Definition: Panchayati Raj
“The Government of the village will be conducted by a Panchayat of five persons annually elected by the adult villagers, male and female, possessing minimum prescribed qualification.”
Definition: Panchayat Samiti
Panchayat Samiti is a local Government body at the Tehsil level in India.
Definition: Gram Panchayat
“Gram Panchayat is a local self government institution at the village or small town level in India and has a sarpanch as its elected head.”
Key Points
Key Points: The constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992
- The 73rd Constitutional Amendment provided constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, recognizing them as units of self-government.
- It established a three-tier Panchayat system at the village, intermediate and district levels across all states.
- The amendment was passed in December 1992 and came into force on 24 April 1993.
- States were made constitutionally bound to conduct regular Panchayat elections and amend their Panchayat laws accordingly.
- It aimed to decentralize power and strengthen grassroots democracy by transferring authority to local self-governing bodies.
Key Points: Features-of-the amendment Act 1992
- Gram Sabha – Gram Sabha is a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral roll of a village or group of villages and is recognized as the primary source of democratic power in a village.
- Three tier system – The Act provides for a uniform three-tier system of Panchayats at village, intermediate and district levels.
- Reservation of seats – The Act provides reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population and not less than one-third of the seats are reserved for women.
- Duration of Panchayats – The duration of Panchayats is five years and elections must be held within six months if dissolved earlier.
- Transfer of Subjects – Twenty-nine subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule are to be transferred to Panchayats for development and welfare functions.
Key Points: Zila Parishad (District Council)
- Zila Parishad is the third tier of the Panchayat system and is an elected body.
- Chairpersons or Block Pramukhs of Block Samitis are represented in the Zila Parishad.
- Councillors are chosen by direct election from electoral divisions in the district.
- Chairmen of all Panchayat Samitis are members of the Zila Parishad.
- The Chief Executive Officer (IAS or State Civil Service Officer) heads the administration and executes development schemes.
Key Points: Empowerment of Women
- Health – Women suffer from malnutrition and lack of medical care; empowerment improves family and social health.
- Literacy – Education helps women understand their rights and express their problems confidently.
- Economic – Economic dependence limits women’s role in family decisions; empowerment ensures financial security.
- UN Declaration and Women’s World Congress – International efforts promoted women’s development and political participation.
- Atrocities – Empowerment helps prevent violence, discrimination, and exploitation of women.
Key Points: Bal Panchayat
- Children’s participation – Bal Panchayat encourages children to participate in self-governance and decision-making for their own development.
- Rights and citizenship – It helps children learn about human rights, duties, values and democratic citizenship.
- Social reform role – Bal Panchayats work to reduce school dropouts, child marriage, female infanticide and promote literacy.
- Community development – Children act as change agents by identifying local problems and working with adults and local bodies.
- Inclusive focus – Special attention is given to girls, marginalized children and children with disabilities to ensure equality and participation.
Key points: Functions of Panchayati Raj
- Agricultural development and irrigation facilities
- Land Reforms
- Eradication of Poverty
- Primary education, adult education and informal training
- Welfare of weaker sections, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes
Key Points: Gram Panchayat
- A Gram Panchayat consists of 7 to 17 members, elected from the wards of the village, called Panch.
- One-third of the seats are reserved for female candidates.
- To establish a Gram Panchayat, the village population should be at least 500 people of voting age.
- The main source of income is the property tax levied on buildings and open spaces within the village.
- Other sources of income include professional tax, taxes on pilgrimage and animal trade, and grants from the State Government and Zila Parishad.
Key Points: Panchayat Samiti
- Panchayat Samiti works for the villages of a Tehsil, together called a Development Block.
- It acts as a link between the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad.
- It is composed of elected members of the area and the Block Development Officer, along with associate members.
- The Panchayat Samiti is elected for five years and is headed by a Chairman and Deputy Chairman elected by its members.
- It collects and evaluates development plans prepared at the Gram Panchayat level for funding and implementation.
