Efforts before independence Mayos Resolution 1870 and Ripon Resolution 1882 Royal Commission on decentralisation 1907 Village

Panchayat Act 1912 Govt. of India Act 1919 Committees on PRI B.R. Mehta Committee recommended a 3-tier system L.M. Singhvi Committee 1986 recommended the constitutional status for PRI; base for 73rd CAA. Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment Act, 1992 came into force with effect from 24th Apr 1993) 1/3rd seats reserved for women at all 3 levels. Panchayati Raj system was extended to scheduled areas by Panchayats (Extension to the schedules areas) Act 1996 (PESA) Panchayats have been made the institutions of self-government (ISG) as per Art.243G to be an ISG, 3 things are needed 1. Institutional existence 2. Institutional capacity 3. Financial viability in other words they should enjoy functional, administrative and financial autonomy. The central act has both mandatory and enabling provisions. The state govts were supposed to provide autonomy to panchayats pertaining to 29 subjects listed in the 11th schedule. A study done by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi at the behest of Ministry of Panchayati Raj reveals that at the nation-wide level, only 38.5% of the total expected devolution has taken place (Maharashtra 64%; Jharkhand 27.3%; Arunachal Pradesh 23.7%) Decentralisation: democracy becomes truly representative and responsive; ensure grassroots level peoples participation in decision-making process; empower people; increase efficiency; promote equitable growth Several Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) programmes are directly implemented through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) including the flagship NREGS. Panchayati Raj is a south Asian political system mainly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Mahatma Gandhi advocated panchayati raj, a decentralised form of govt. This system was adopted by state governments in 1950s and 1960s, got constitutional status by 73rd CAA. Currently PR system exists in all states except Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and all UTs except Delhi 2-tier panchayats in Goa, J&K, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim village and district level; everywhere else its 3-tier. Village level (Gram Panchayat) Registered voter; no office of profit. Persons convicted by court of criminal offence is disqualified. Gram panchayat is accountable to general body in the village (gram sabha) - meets at least twice a year. Gram Sabhas approval is needed for village production plan, proposal for taxation and development programs. Functions 1. Mandatory 2. Discretionary Revenue: A gram panchayat fund has been created on the pattern of consolidated fund of state. Block level (Panchayat Samiti and other names in diff states)

20-60 villages depending upon area and pop. Average pop is 80k. President of the Panachayat samiti is the Pradhan elected by an electoral college consisting of all members of samiti and all panchas. He excercises control over Vikas Adhikari (BDO Block Development Officer) who is responsible for implementing the resolutions of the samiti and its committees. Functions coordinate the activities of various panchayats. Revenue: panchayat/block samiti funds like consolidated fund of state. District level (Zila Parishad; District/Zila Panchayat) *not present in J&K Consists reps of panchayat samiti, MLAs & MPs from area, district level officers of various depts. 5yr term, must meet at least once in 3 months except in Goa, Haryana and Karnataka (2 months) Zila parishad / district panchayat fund on the lines of consolidated fund of the state.