NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, on National Panchayati Raj Day, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj organized a one-day National Colloquium on Grassroots Governance.

National Panchayati Raj Day

• About: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj in India designates April 24 annually as National Panchayati Raj Day.
• Roots in National Development Council: The idea of grassroots democratic governance was initially proposed by the National Development Council in the 1950s.
• Unofficial Formation: Despite the early recommendation, the formal establishment of Panchayati Raj remained unofficial until 1993.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act: The Panchayat system was officially implemented in rural regions through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1993, marking a significant step towards decentralized governance.

Importance

• Inclusive Growth Imperative: With India's aspirations for inclusive growth and the need to tackle challenges like climate change and rural-to-urban migration, the significance of Panchayati Raj has grown.
• Local Administration Necessity: Effective local administration is crucial for addressing local demands and ensuring fair and feasible development.
• Strategic Role of PRIs: Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are strategically positioned to facilitate local-level development and respond to the unique needs of their respective areas.

Panchayati Raj System in India

• About: Panchayati raj is the system of local self-government in rural India, focused on villages, distinct from urban and suburban municipalities.
• Components: The system comprises Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), facilitating village self-government, with responsibilities including economic development, social justice, and implementing government schemes.
• Legal Provision: Part IX of the Indian Constitution delineates the framework for Panchayats, specifying their structure and roles within the governance system.
• Three-Tier Structure: In states or Union Territories with populations exceeding two million, PRIs operate across three levels: gram panchayats (village level), panchayat samiti (block level), and district council (district level).