Panchayati Raj

Evolution

• Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): recommended a three-tier system (village, block, district) with democratic decentralisation. Rajasthan adopted it first (Nagaur, 2 October 1959).
• Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): two-tier system.
• G.V.K. Rao (1985) and L.M. Singhvi (1986) committees: proposed constitutional status.
• 73rd Amendment Act (1992), in force from 24 April 1993 (National Panchayati Raj Day): Part IX (Arts 243 to 243O) and the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects).

Main provisions

• Gram Sabha: all adult voters in the village area (Art 243A).
• Three tiers: village, intermediate (block) and district. States with population below 20 lakh need not have the intermediate tier.
• Direct elections at all levels. The chairperson of a village panchayat is chosen as the State law decides.
• Reservation: for SCs and STs in proportion to their population, and not less than one-third of seats for women (many States now give 50 per cent).
• Term: five years. If dissolved early, election within six months.
• State Election Commission (Art 243K) conducts elections. State Finance Commission (Art 243I) is set up every five years to review finances.
• Exemptions: Panchayats do not apply to Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, the Scheduled Areas and certain hill areas. PESA Act, 1996 extends them to the Fifth Schedule areas.

Panchayats at a glance