Indian Polity: Local Government (Panchayati Raj)

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), realizing the dream of Gram Swaraj envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

Structural Provisions

• Three-Tier System: Mandates Panchayats at the Village, Intermediate (Block), and District levels.
• Gram Sabha: The foundation of the system, consisting of all registered voters in the village.
• Reservation: Provides for one-third (33%) reservation of seats for women, including for the chairperson’s post.
• Tenure: A fixed five-year term; elections must be held within 6 months of dissolution.

Key Committees & Articles

• Article 243 to 243-O: Part IX of the Constitution deals specifically with Panchayats.
• Eleventh Schedule: Lists 29 functional items that are placed within the purview of Panchayats.
• State Election Commission: Responsible for the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats.
• Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Recommended the establishment of a democratic decentralized 3-tier system.

Question for you: Which state in India was the first to adopt the Panchayati Raj system on October 2, 1959?

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