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A PROJECT
on
PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTION

Submitted To: Dr. Ayan Hazra
Faculty: Sociology
Submitted By: Anil Yadav
B.A. LL.B(Hons.), Semester-6th
Roll No: 13





HIDAYATULLAH NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY
R RA AI IP PU UR R ( (C C. .G G. .) )
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gratitude is the noble response of ones soul to kindness or help generously rendered by
another and its acknowledgment is a duty and joyance. So it is that I express briefly my debt to
those who have made the creation of this project possible.
I thank my papa for his blessings and prayer he has showered upon me without which, I
stalwartly believe that the completion of this project would have been impossible.
I thank the almighty, Lord on whom I believe and depend on. My each and every
achievement is nothing but a look of the God on me.
I extend my thankfulness to the IT Committee without which my project would have had
no life. I also thank all my friends and all my well wishers who had helped in the completion of
this project. Last but never the least I extend my wholehearted thankfulness to the librarians & to
the office bearers for their backup.
The views expressed in this project are purely that of the author and the same are not
intended against any one personally, any suggestions, corrections and alterations would be
treated with extreme obligations.

Anil Yadav











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OBJECTIVES
To understand what is the meaning of Panchayati Raj.
How does Panchayati Raj works in India.
What are the main objectives of Panchayat.




RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This doctrinal research is rigorous and indicative in nature and approaches the subtle issue in an
objective, non-prejudiced way leaving no span for any unrequited inquiry on the subject at hand.












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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements...i
Objectives.iii
Hypothesis....iii
Research Methodology.....iii
Introduction...5
Panchayat and India..6
Objectives of Panchayati Raj....8
Gram Panchayat ..10
Panchayat Samiti..10
Establishment of Panchayati Raj..11
Aim of Panchayati Raj..11
District level Panchayat.12
Intermediate level Panchayat.12
Challenges faced by Panchayati Raj..14
Conclusion..15
Reference16









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INTRODUCTION

Democracy is never complete unless active involvement and participation of the peoples at all
levels is assured. Particularly in the modern age of democracies, where it is said that the state, the
government and power belongs to people.
The government is the servant and welfare agency of the people. The people come in contact
with the government at local level. Through local government institutions the new political elite,
emerging from the process of independence, make an attempt to mobilise the masses hither to no
more than periphery involved in public affairs, for the nation building tasks of economic and
social development, and to commit them more actively to the maintenance of the political system
of which they are now supposed to constitute an integral part.
1
As such the local-level
governmental institutions can be looked upon as an integrated system of political socialisation,
communication and mobilisation both of political and socio-economic development. The proper
functioning and actual role of these institutions depend upon the institutional framework, social
structure and above all the political will of the nationalist and state level leaders.
There is today a growing awareness of the need and importance of local self-government, as
being a provider of services to local communities and as a mechanism for democratic self-
government. There are currently two distinct types of local government system: urban local
system and the rural local system.






1
A.S Narang (2009) Indian government & Politics New Delhi: Gitsngali Pbl. House; 6
th
Edn. Page 285
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PANCHAYATS AND INDIA

Panchayat Raj is an ancient institution as antique as India. In fact, it has been the backbone of
Indian villages since the beginning of recorded history. Gandhiji dreamt of every village a
republic under the Panchayat Raj system of local self-government administered by a council or
'Panchayat' duly elected by the people of the villages in a democratic manner. The institution o
Panchayati Raj is specifically designed for rural population to take care of the problems of rural
areas. It provides the administrative apparatus for implementation of the programmes of rural
development.
The Panchayat system has been integral part of the Indian village system through ages. A village
is self contained microcosm, a composite peasant society representing different communities and
cultural hues. It does not have irritant elements but represent an integrated culture, free to a
greater extent from the penetrations of urban cultural patterns into the village life. The
importance of village with its head man, called Gramani, could be traced to Rig Vedic times and
this head man figures in later Vedic literature as one of the jewels or Ratnas of the
administration.
The Decimal system of classifications of village into units of 10, 20 or 100 or 1000 is well
known. According to Vinaya, heads of the villages (Gramikas) are stated to be meeting in an
assembly of their own. Narada supervised the appointment of five officials in each village. The
state took full responsibility of rural development, particularly by constructing roads, setting up
of markets etc. There were also references to village elders -- Gamma- vriddhas and Grama
mahattaras the prominent persons in the village being associated with village administration.
An account of the Panchayat system comparing five persons (official and non official) in districts
as well as in sub divisions is afforded by the inscriptions of the Gupta period. At the district
levels, the Vishayapati or its head had a non official advisory council representing different
interest in the locality. These included the Nagara- sresthin- the chief banker representing the
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commercial interests; the Sarthavaha or carvan the chief of the leader of the trading
community; the Prathama kulika the chief of the head of the families or the community head;
and the Prathama kayastha the chief scribe or the official administrator.
The assistance of the council was sought in matters of alienation of lands and other allied matters
of the community interest. At the subdivision (Vithi) and village level, there was a council of non
officials consisting of the Vithi- mahaattaras and the kutumbins, representing the elders and
agricultural households, respectively. The kulikas represnted the non official elements in an
advisory capacity.
2

At the village level, the Gramika or the head man and his council settled land disputes by fixing
boundries and they also mentioned law and order. His advisory council constitutes the
mahattaras the village elders and the Astha kuladhikarans the eight head of the families and
other leading men of experience and status. The village elders in southern India were known as
Mahajans and they regulated the socio-economic life of the village and assisted equally in
administration.
The Panchayat system was prevalent in the urban context as well. The local body was called
Uttarasabha, Goshthi, Panchakula and a board of Sauvayika. The Panchakula signified a body of
five persons who were appointed by provincial head. They deliberated in the town hall called
Mandapika. The committee looked after proper realization of grant and rent from the endowed
property.
On May 15, 1989, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced a constitutional amendment bill in
lok Sabha. This was introduced to make Panchayat Raj in India a truly representative and
effective system. The bill could not become law as it was not passed by Rajya Sabha. The bill
was again introduced in the new parliament by Narasimha Rao government. This bill, the
seventy third amendment act, 1992, passed by parliament, was bought into effect on April 24,
1993.


2
http://www.csc-india.org/Utilities/ContentResource/PanchayatiRaj/tabid/625/language/hi-IN/Default.aspx Last
viewed on Oct. 13 2011
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OBJECTIVES OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

The basic objective Panchayati Raj is to evolve a system of democratic decentralization and
devolution of people with a view to ensuring rapid socio-economic progress and speedier and
inexpensive justice
The Panchayat Raj system has a three-tier structure, viz, (i) the Village Panchayatas, (ii) the
Panchayat Samitis and (iii) the Zila Parishad.
(i) The Village Panchayatt or Gram Panchayat : The village panchayat or the gram Panchayat
functions at the Village level.
(ii) Panchayat Samiti : The panchayat samiti is the main executive body which operates at the
block level.
(iii) Zila Parishad : The Zila Parishad functions at the districts level and is responsible for
making executing and coordinating the programmes of rural development for entire district
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchayati_raj Last viewed on Oct 13 2011
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ESTABLISHMENT OF PANCHAYATI RAJ IN INDIA

Organization of Panchayati Raj in India came as a revolutionary step towards rural development.
The launching of Community Development Programmed on 2nd October 1953 the National
Extension Service was launched. These steps were designed to secure the involvement of the
rural people in the process of rural people in the process of rural development. However, the
inadequate success registered by these necessitated the need for reforms, in 1954, the
government of India established the Balwant Rai Mehta committee for suggesting some major
reforms. In October 1957, the Balwant Rai Mehta committee submitted its report. It suggested
the organization of Panchayati Raj in rural India. It was to act both as an instrument of rural local
self-government as well as an agency for community development. It recommended the creation
of the three tier Panchayati Raj- Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samitiesat the block
level and Zila Parishads at the district level. The National Development council accepted the
recommendations of Balwan Rai Mehta committee in 1958. The Government of India then called
upon all the states to implement these recommendations. On 2nd October 1959, Rajasthan came
to be the first State to establish Panchayati Raj. Thereafter, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West
Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Kerala, J & K, Himachal Pradesh and infact all
states introduced Panchayati Raj in their respective areas by passing necessary laws. The whole
of rural India came under Panchayati Raj. It still continues to be in operation.





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GRAM PANCHAYATS
Gram Panchayat is the primary unit of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The district has 210 Gram
Panchayats. Each Gram Panchayat comprising some villages and is divided into mouzas. The
election of Pradhan, Upa-Pradhan & members are conducted according to the provisions of the
West Bengal Panchayat Election Rules. Pradhan as the head of the GP is elected by the G.P.
members.

PANCHAYAT SAMITIES
There are 18 Panchayat Samities in the district. Each Panchayat Samiti is functioning with the
Community Development at the Block level created by the government in the Panchayats &
Rural Development Deptt.
Each Panchayat Samiti consists of official and elected members. The official members are the
Block Dev. Officer and the Officers of various State Govt. Deptt. Ordinarily stationed at the
Block level. The official bearers include the Panchayat Samiti members and the Pradhan of the
Gram Panchayats. Savapati is the head of the body and is elected directly by the Panchayat
Samiti members. And BDO of the respective block is the Executive Officer of the Panchayat
Samity.
The main functions of the Panchayat Samitis are planning, execution and supervision of all
developmental programmes in the Block. It also supervises the works of Gram Panchayats within
its Jurisdiction.



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WORKING OF PANCHAYATI RAJ(1959-1992)

By 1959 almost all the states introduced Panchayati raj in rural areas. They quite faithfully
adopted the recommendation of Balwant Rai Mehta Community. Almost all the tates adoped
three-tire system. But within it some states like Maharastra decided to assign the development
function to the Zila Parishads and not to the Panchayati Samities. However other states decided
to assign these function to Panchayati Samities. During 1995-1992 Panchayati Raj kept on
working for achieving its objectives. However, its efforts were not very successful. Its working
brought to light several shortcoming which preventing it from becoming successful. It virtually
failed to produce a quantitative change in rural life in India. Rural literacy, lack of funds,
poverty, inexperience representatives, groups, corruption, government interference, lack of
continuity in the working of Panchayati Raj institution and lack of interest taken by rural people,
all became responsible for an inadequate success of Panchayati Raj.
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AIM OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
The aim of Panchayati Raj has been democratic decentralization, rural-self government and rural
development Socio-economic development of rural India has been a major goal. Panchayati Raj
has been designed to encourage the people of rural area in meeting their needs locally. It
develops the habit democratic living. It strengthens the foundation of Indian democracy. Making
villages self-governing and self-reliant units. Secure a sense to self-educated and training and to
undertake rural development by involving rural community. To satisfy Local needs, promote
democratic living, provide political education and training and rural development through local
efforts.


4
Goel S.L. (2007) Good Governance New Delhi: Deep & Deep Pbl. Pvt. LTD; Page 417

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DISTRICT LEVEL PANCHAYAT
In the district level of the panchayati raj system you have the "zilla parishad
Functions:
Provide essential services and facilities to the rural population and the planning and
execution of the development programmes for the district .
Supply improved seeds to farmers. Inform them of new techniques of training. Undertake
construction of small- scale irrigation projects and percolation tanks.
Set up and run schools in villages. Execute programmes for adult literacy. Run libraries.
Start Primary Health Centers and hospitals in villages. Start mobile hospitals for hamlets,
vaccination drives against epidemics and family welfare campaigns.
Construct bridges and roads.
Execute plans for the development of the scheduled castes and tribes. Run ashramshalas
for adivasi children. Set up free hostels for scheduled caste students.
Encourage entrepreneurs to start small- scale industries like cottage industries, handicraft,
agriculture produce processing mills, dairy farms, etc. implement rural employment
schemes.
They construct roads, schools,& public properties.And they take care of the public
properties.
They even supply work for the poor people .(tribes, scheduled caste, lower caste )
Sources of Income
1 . Taxes on water, pilgrimage, markets, etc.
2 . Fixed grant from the State Government inproportion with the land revenue and money
for works and schemes assigned to the Parishad
5









5
Basu Durga Das, (2011) Introduction to constitution of India Haryana: Lexis Nexis Butterworths Wadhwa
Nagpur; Page- 287-289
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INTERMEDIATE LEVEL PANCHAYAT

Panchayat samiti is a local government body at the tehsil or Taluka level in India. It
works for the villages of the Tehsil
Functions Implement schemes for the development of agriculture.
Establishment of primary health centres andprimary 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 organisations.'




CHALLENGES FACED IN PANCHAYATI RAJ

The panchayati raj system, introduced through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, is the most
definitive step towards re-energising democracy in the history of independent India.
Panchayat traditionally refers to the five elders in a village who mediated conflict and spoke on
behalf of all the residents of a village. The word has been retained by the 73rd amendment to the
Constitution, but it now refers to a body elected according to law. The same word is used for the
three tiers of local administration brought in by the amendment -- the highest being the district or
zilla panchayat. The lowest is the gram panchayat that may cover several villages. All citizens of
these villages constitute the gram sabha, which becomes the basic unit of democracy.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) cover more than 96% of Indias rural population, where gram
sabhas act as platforms for peoples participation, to raise demands and to ensure transparency
and accountability in the responses of panchayats. Panchayati raj can lead to local economic
development with social justice -- PRIs can be given the power to implement schemes like the
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS).
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However, a number of daunting challenges face PRIs today. Across all states there is a lack of
genuine devolution of funds, functions and functionaries in panchayati raj. Added to that are
social challenges that work against the emergence of leadership from marginalised sections of
society, such as women, dalits and tribals. Further, as Sudha Pillai, additional secretary,
panchayati raj, Government of India, pointed out, there is a lack of role clarity among gram
panchayats, block panchayats and district panchayats.
The Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act of 1996 is one of the most potent
legislative measures in recent times. It recognises tribal peoples modes of living, aspirations,
their culture and traditions. But, more than eight years after the Act was adopted, the enabling
rules are still not in place. This clearly shows that state governments are reluctant to
operationalise the PESA mandate.
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CONCLUSION
We cannot overlook the fact that being closest to the people, the Panchayats and their elected
representatives have the feel of the pulse, the sufferings of the people and local conditions. The
effectiveness of providing services through local bodies cannot be overemphasised as they know
their real requirements, and are familiar with every nook and corner of the village and, above all,
they are answerable to the people. Gram Sabhas can play a very meaningful role in selecting the
beneficiaries, prioritising the beneficiaries to ensure gender and equity concerns and also in
deciding the appropriate rehabilitation or reconstruction programme that is needed for the
communities.
The involvement of Panchayats ensures greater transparency in working and fund utilisation than
in execution carried out by central or state agency, many a times. Providing a village level plan
for reconstruction and rehabilitation, classifying victims' families and making arrangements for
relief packages to reach them, managing temporary camps, and coordinating immediate health.
It is mostly agreed that the PRIs can play a significant role in Rehabilitation and resettlement
provided they are vested with due authority, and are facilitated to do so through capacity building
inputs and necessary institutional support. Adequate resources should be provided to PRIs to
build up their capacities and Sensitization and training of PRI members on related areas will
have to be promoted and capacity for the same should be institutionalized in the existing
institutionalframework.
Any legislation empowering the Panchayats on land acquisition will make a great difference
because if the people at the grassroots are legally empowered to raise objections to land
acquisition then there will be a fair chance that the Government may have to fight many stiff
legal battles in order to proceed with development projects which would displace the poor and
the marginalized from their hearth and homes. For greater transparency and accuracy, the
Panchayats at the appropriate level Gram Sabha must be fully consulted as per the provision of
section 4(i) of the PESA Act prior to the formal land acquisition. In a mature and responsible
administrative system where power is in the hands of the people and their democratically elected
local government institutions, relief operations, day-to-day running of civic services, providing
medical assistance, etc., could best be done by the local government.
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REFERENCE
Basu Durga Das, (2011) Introduction to constitution of India Haryana: Lexis Nexis
Butterworths Wadhwa Nagpur.
Goel S.L. (2007) Good Governance New Delhi: Deep & Deep Pbl. Pvt. LTD.
A.S Narang (2009) Indian government & Politics New Delhi: Gitsngali Pbl. House; 6
th

Edn.
http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article651.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchayati_raj