Panchayats

Constitutional Status of Panchayats

• Part IX of the Constitution provides for the Panchayati Raj System.
• Introduced through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
• Effective Date: 24 April 1993.

Three-Tier Panchayati Raj System

Village Level

• Gram Panchayat

Intermediate Level

• Panchayat Samiti / Block Panchayat
• Constituted in States having a population above 20 lakh.

District Level

• Zila Parishad (District Panchayat)

Elections in Panchayat

Members

• All members of a Panchayat are directly elected by the people.

Electoral Body

• The electorate of a village is known as the Gram Sabha.

Chairperson

• The method of election of the Chairperson is determined by the State Legislature.

Reservation of Seats in Panchayat

Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes

• Seats are reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population. (Art. 243D)

Women

• Not less than one-third (1/3rd) of:
  
  • Total seats filled through direct election, and
  • Seats reserved for SCs & STs,
    shall be reserved for Women.

Reservation of Chairpersons

• The State Legislature may provide reservation for the offices of Chairpersons in Panchayats.

Tenure of Panchayats

Normal Term

• Every Panchayat has a 5-year tenure from the date of its first meeting.

Premature Dissolution

• A Panchayat may be dissolved earlier according to State Law.

Reconstitution

• A newly constituted Panchayat after dissolution serves only the remaining term.
• Exception: If the remaining tenure is less than 6 months, fresh elections are not mandatory.

Qualifications of Members in Panchayat

• A person must:
  
  • Have completed 21 years of age.
  • Be qualified to become a Member of the State Legislature. (Art. 243F)

Functions of Panchayats

Developmental Role

Panchayats may be entrusted with responsibilities relating to:

• • Economic Development
  • Social Justice
  • Preparation and implementation of Development Plans.

Financial Powers of Panchayats

Taxation

• The State Legislature may authorise Panchayats to:
  
  • Levy Taxes
  • Collect Duties
  • Impose Tolls
  • Collect Fees

State Finance Commission

• Every 5 years, the Governor constitutes a State Finance Commission (SFC).
• Functions of the SFC:
  
  • Review the financial position of Panchayats.
  • Recommend the distribution of financial resources between the State and Panchayats.

State Election Commission

Appointment

• A State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.

Functions (Art. 243K)

The Commission exercises:

• • Superintendence
  • Direction
  • Control
    of elections to Panchayats and Municipalities.

Evolution of Panchayati Raj

Community Development Programme (CDP)

• Launched: 2 October 1952
• Objective: Promote Rural Development through community participation.

Democratic Decentralisation

• Introduced on an experimental basis in Andhra Pradesh in 1958.

First Introduction of Panchayati Raj

• Date: 2 October 1959
• Place: Nagaur District, Rajasthan
• Inaugurated by: Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

First State to Implement Panchayati Raj

• Rajasthan became the first State to implement the Panchayati Raj System across the entire State.

Important Constitutional Articles