Panchayati Raj

The Panchayati Raj system is based on the principle of decentralization of power. It decentralized the power of democracy.

The election to constitute a Panchayat should be completed before the expiry of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act added Part IX to the Indian Constitution. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed in 1992 and became an Act during the Narasimha Rao Government. It added Part IX to Constitution which is titled "The Panchayats" and deals with the provisions of Articles 243 to 243 0.

The Panchayati Raj system has an intermediate tier known as Panchayat Samiti. The Panchayat Samiti is the tehsil or taluka or block level of the rural local self government system in India. Panchayat Samiti at the block level is an administrative authority which is responsible for enforcing the law.

The gram panchayats have a fixed term of 5 years. State election commissions have been provided with the mechanism to conduct independent elections for the village panchayats.

The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India en visages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj System to perform functions and powers entrusted to it by the State Legislatures. The Gram Sabha is a general body consisting of all registered voters in a village or group of villages in rural areas. It is empowered to exercise several functions and powers, such as approving plans and programs for social and economic development, monitoring the implementation of government schemes, and mobi lizing local resources for community development The Gram Sabha also has the power to approve the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat and to hold it accountable for its performance. The 73rd Amendment seeks to promote participatory democracy and decentralize power to the grassroots level in rural areas

The Panchayat Raj system was first adopted by the state of Rajasthan in Nagaur district on 2 Oct 1959 During the 1950s and 60s, other state governments adopted this system as laws were passed to set up panchayat bodies in various states. The second state was Andhra Pradesh, while Maharashtra was the ninth state.

Panchayati Raj System is formed of 3(Three) tiers of governance.

The 74th Constitutional amendment act 1992 deals with the provisions related to the Municipalities. Part IXA (Schedule 12) of the Constitution of India deals with the Municipalities.

74th Amendment act introduced a new Part IXA in the Constitution. It deals with Municipalities under articles 243 P to 243 ZG. This amendment, also known as Nagarpalika Act, came into force on 1st June 1993.