Panchayati Raj
Panchayati Raj is the rural local self-government system in India.
- Based on the concept of decentralization of power to villages.
- Constitutionally recognized by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which added Part IX and the 11th Schedule to the Constitution.
- Applies to all states except Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
๐ PYQ (BPSC 65th): The 73rd Constitutional Amendment relates to? โ Panchayati Raj
Historical Background
- Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended 3-tier system
- Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) recommended 2-tier system
- First state to implement Panchayati Raj: Rajasthan (1959) at Nagaur
- First in Bihar: Patna district in 1959
๐ Expected MCQ: Which was the first state to implement Panchayati Raj? โ Rajasthan
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
- Came into effect: 24 April 1993
- Added:
- Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O)
- 11th Schedule with 29 subjects
- Made Panchayati Raj a constitutional body
Three-Tier Structure of Panchayati Raj
- Gram Panchayat โ at Village level
- Panchayat Samiti โ at Block level (Intermediate)
- Zila Parishad โ at District level
๐ PYQ (BPSC 66th): How many tiers are there in the Panchayati Raj system? โ Three
Key Provisions of the Act
- Gram Sabha: Consists of all adult members of the village
- Reservation:
- 33% for women (now 50% in some states like Bihar)
- Reservation for SCs, STs as per population
- Duration: 5 years term
- State Election Commission to conduct elections
- Finance Commission every 5 years to review financial position
๐ PYQ (BPSC 64th): Who conducts Panchayat elections? โ State Election Commission
Panchayati Raj in Bihar
- Bihar Panchayati Raj Act passed in 1993
- Latest elections held in 2021 (first biometric-based polling)
- Bihar has implemented 50% reservation for women in Panchayats
- Mukhiya is the head of the Gram Panchayat
- Active role in rural development and local planning
๐ Expected MCQ: What is the head of a Gram Panchayat in Bihar called? โ Mukhiya
11th Schedule โ Subjects for Panchayats
Includes 29 subjects such as:
- Agriculture
- Rural housing
- Drinking water
- Roads and communication
- Social forestry
- Rural electrification
- Health and sanitation
- Primary education
๐ PYQ (BPSC 68th): How many subjects are in the 11th Schedule? โ 29
Importance of Panchayati Raj
- Grassroots democracy
- Empowers marginalized and local communities
- Decentralizes power and improves governance
- Enables better rural development planning
Challenges
- Inadequate financial autonomy
- Political interference
- Lack of trained personnel
- Low awareness and participation
Quick Revision Points
- 73rd Amendment: Introduced Panchayati Raj
- Effective from: 24 April 1993
- Articles: 243โ243O; 11th Schedule: 29 subjects
- 3 Tiers: Gram Panchayat โ Panchayat Samiti โ Zila Parishad
- Gram Sabha = all adult voters
- Bihar: 50% reservation for women; Mukhiya as village head
- Election by: State Election Commission
Sources Used
- NCERT Class 6 & 9 Civics Chapters โ Local Government
- M. Laxmikanth โ Indian Polity (6th Edition)
- Lucent GK โ Indian Polity
- Bihar Panchayati Raj Act, 1993
- Ghatna Chakra BPSC PYQs