Apr 25, 2023
By: Ananya TawakleyApril 24 is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day across India. It marks the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 which added a new part to the Indian Constitution titled —- ‘The Panchayats’. The amendment enabled the establishment of the Panchayati Raj System in India.
Credit: BCCL
It is a three-tiered system of local self-governance —- with Gram Panchayats at village level, Panchayat Samiti at block level, and Zilla Parishad at district level.
Credit: IANS
The system deals with matters such as social issues, sanitation, minor irrigation, water issues, health and primary education amongst others.
Credit: IANS
Panchayats receive funds through internal resource generation, loans and grants from the union and state governments.
Credit: IANS
The theme for Panchayati Raj Day 2023 is ‘Sustainable Panchayat: Building Healthy, Water Sufficient, Clean & Green Villages.
Credit: Ministry-of-Panchayati-Raj
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj holds the National Panchayat Awards Week from April 17-21, 2023 wherein they recognise high performing Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Credit: Ministry-of-Panchyati-Raj
A third of all Panchayat seats are reserved for women, and a few states even reserve half the seats for women. Vandana Bahadur, Chhavi Rajawat and Sushma Bhadu are some of the female panchayats leading grassroot level developments including paved roads, clean water and more.
Credit: IANS
Village assemblies existed since ancient times. However, the system was first formally suggested by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957, and was introduced by the Jawaharlal Nehru led government in 1959.
Credit: IANS
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Every village has to be self-sustained and capable of managing its affairs even to the extent of defending itself against the whole world.”
Credit: IANS
The system is prevalent in all states except Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. It exists in all union territories except Delhi.
Credit: IANS