Panchayati Raj (PR)nagahistory.wordpress.com /2014/03/12/panchayati-raj-pr/

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Panchayati Raj (PR)Definition-a decentralization process where authority is distributed & structured betweencentral,regional & local with their own powers and functions.

It ensures grass roots level peoples participation in decision making process.So PRI(panchayat rajinstitutions) = local self govt bodies;prime instrument of decentralization.

Functions of PRI- 1.to provide basic infrastructure facilities

2.empower weaker sections of society and to initiate development process at grass roots level.

73rd and 74th amendment act=3 tier of local self govt.

M.K. Gandhi advocated PR.

PR is active in India,Pakistan,Bangladesh and Nepal.

PR doesnt exist in Nagaland,Meghalaya and Mizoram,Delhi.

3-tier system of PR in India-

1.Village level-Revenue unit

Lowest unitGram sabha helds meeting twice a yearHave representatives elected by people of villageSarpanch-presides over every panchayat.He is assisted by panchayat secretary and villagelevel worker.

2.Block level-Janapad level

Different names in different states

Andhra Pradesh Mandal parishadAssam Anchalik panchayatBihar,Jharkhand,Haryana,HP,Tripura,WB,MH,Orrisa,Punjab,Rajasthan

Panchayat samiti

Panchayat samiti- 20 to 60 villages =area,populationPradhan-President of panchayat samiti.He/she is ex-officio chairman of standing committees ofsamiti.Function of panchayat samiti-to coordinate activities of various panchayats within its jurisdiction.

3.District level-

Zilla parishadTamilnadu,Kerala & Gujarat district panchayatTo coordinate activities of Panchayat samiti within its jurisdictionThe state of Maharashtra has been historical progressive in the sphere of PR.Its comprehensivezilla parishad & panchayat samiti act and a separate act for gram panchayat gave a goodfoundation for strong PR in state.Karnataka stands next to Maharashtra.From overall devolution index table.Maharashtra tops by scoring 64.04 and Jharkhand lowest27.25.Also Tripura tops the list and Arunchal Pradesh lowest in NE states.UT-chandigarhbottom and lakshwadeep topYear 2009-10 year of gram sabha being the 50 th anniversary of launching of PR in India.

PR system in India

1.B.R Mehta committee- recommended a 3 tier PR structure.2.L.M. Singhvi committee Suggested gram sabha be the base of decentralized democracyMayos resolution (1870) Municipalities in urban areasRipon resolution (1882) District boarddistrict level &

Rural boardtaluka/tehsil level

Village panchayat act(1912) objective of this act to strengthen panchayat both as local selfgovt & as judicial bodies BUT EPICFAIL as 1.panchayats setup had neither a realrepresentative character nor autonomy 2. Lack of sincerity

Govt programmes for empowerment of PR :-1.Panchayat mahila yuva shakti abhiyaan(PMEYSA)-one third reservation of seats at all 3- tiers levelfor women.

2.Panchayat empowerment & accountability Incentive Scheme(PEAIS)- central sector plan scheme forMoPR and to measure performance of states thru devolution index(DI)

3.e-panchayat mission mode project (MMP)- to harness potential of ICT(information of communicationtechnology) for e- governance in panchayat & to ensure transparency & accountability in theirfunctioning thru information disclosure,social audit & management.

4.Rajiv Gandhi panchayat sasktikaran abhiyan- to enhance capacities & effectiveness of panchayat &gram sabha and to promote peoples participation.

73 rd amendment to Indian constitution (1992)- has made panchayats the third tier of Indian politicalsystem MCQ

Rajasthan was the 1st state to adopt PR system in 1959.This move was throttled due to variousmicro & macro factors ranging from non-elections,suspension of local govt,misuse of authority & power,lack of adequate representation of minorities.Women were regarded only as recipients of welfarerather than contributors to developmentdefeating very essence of PR.

It is anticipated that discords are likely to arise amongst 4 important subsystems of PR,namely the

local level politician,senior level politician,vested interest groups (businesscommunity,contractors,religious organization.) & bureaucrats.COMMON BASIS for this problem isredistribution of powers.

After 1970, impact of PR system on record was low profile.

Present PRI owe their existence to PM Rajiv Gandhi idea of institutionalizing & constitutionalisingPRI & PM Narasimha Rao carried forward this gigantic task & enacted 73rd amendment to constitutionwhich is MAGNA CARTA

Article 40 state shall take steps to organize village panchayats & endow them with such powers &authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self govt.

State govt are reqd to appoint local finance commission under 73 rd amendment act.

Like women ,SCs are also subjected to harassment ,humiliation & denial to hold offices & exercisefunctions that belong to them as elected members of PRIs

Lack of qualified & willing SC candidates REAL problem in fielding candidates for reserved seats.

SOLUTION-1.political will & wisdom of politicians are reqd to take necessary measures to protectinterest of weaker sections who are prevented from enjoying their rights.2.Like food security act it isbetter that 73rd amendment act implementation is taken by govt. of India as its responsibility.

Role of Panchayat samiti in PR.Human development as an approach is concerned with what I take to be the basic developmentidea;namely advancing the richness of human life,rather than richness of economy in which humanbeings live,which is only a part of it Prof Amartya sen (nobel laureate in economics)

v PS is the linking pin between ZP and gram panchayat.

v As an intermediate institution of local self governance PS should not only be accountable to ZP butalso facilitator of funds to GP.Generally each GP tries to focus on its own area development but PShelps them to prioritize their needs & demands and communicate the same to ZP thru its prospectiveplan.

v Just creation of system,structure & institutions for better local governance by providing autonomy &participatory management at all levels is not enuf,rather to create a sustainable people centered &people powered environment in which all communities can exercise their voices & choices & therebyget involved.

INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY STILL A LONG WAY AHEADAs Abraham Lincoln has said democracy is govt. of people ,by people, for people. But in present timedemocracy described rightly by Joseph Stiglitz words as of the 1%,by the 1%, for the 1%.

Challenges-

1.Economic-

i. According to NSSO data based on 66 th consumption expenditure pace of reduction in poverty hasbeen slowest in bottom (15% of population )

ii. Decline in poverty ratio is more in rural areas than in urban areas cause of concern as urbanpopulation is increasing & projected that by 2050,2/3rd will be called urban population & poverty issue

will be main issue as more people will be migrating to urban areas for various reasons.

2.Social-issue of farmers suicide disturbing phenomenon. Main reason for suicide is their indebtednessbecause of rising input cost & not getting any remunerative prices for their procedure.(Maharashtratops farmers suicide)

3.Political-women are inadequately represented in field of political sphere because of gender basedinequalities.

Article 325-equal right to participation in political activities

Article326-equal right to vote in political activities

Credit goes to 73rd n 74th amendment (women participation increased in PRIs ,urban local govt)WOMEN participation in different LS elctions especially increased since 10 th lok sabha(1991-96)in numbers.Conclusion-for inclusive democracy, only participation not sufficient but in economic,social &political sphere for all sections of society should be increased.

GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT?Former UN secretary general ,Kofi Annan once said,good governance is perhaps the single most impfactor in eradicating poverty and promoting development

Term good governance used for 1st time by world bank -1992.

Recently President Obama has said that what Africa reqd for development are not strong men butstrong institutions & good governance.

IT is one that encompasses whole range of social,political and economic activities & not confined toeconomic acspects alone.

NREGA reflects requirement of citizens & excellent example of critical linkage between governanceand development.

Bad governance-various scams.ADASRH co-op housing society,IPL,2G spectrum,delay in legalproceedings,wasteful expenditure of govt funds by corrupt politicians & bureaucrats.etc

Impact of good governance is security of life and property, access to justice & rule of law.

Not a daunting task ,if adequate political will in economy.

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Panchayati Raj (PR)Panchayati Raj (PR)Govt programmes for empowerment of PR :-

Role of Panchayat samiti in PR.INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY STILL A LONG WAY AHEADGOOD GOVERNANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT?