PANCHAYATS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE

             Panchayats have been the backbone of the Indian villages since the beginning of the recorded history. Mahatma Gandhi in 1946 had aptly remarked that the Indian independence must begin at the bottom and every village ought to be a Republic or panchyayat having powers. Gandhiji's dream has been translated into reality with the introduction of the three - tier. Panchayati Raj system to enlist people's participation in rural reconstruction in the 21^st century village panchayats in india will be in the forefront of rural development towards this end, panchayats are to be given more powers finance and training panchayats growth, social development and facilitate good governance as well as sound micro - economic management.

             The realization that people's participation is crucial for successful implementation of programmes like CD and NES was brought to sharp focus through the report of the team for the study of community projects and National Extension Service by Balvantrai Rai Mehta (1957). The committee observed that one of the least successful aspects of CD and NES work is its attempt to evoke popular initiative and recommended democratic decentralization.

             The word 'Democracy' is derived from the green roots 'demos' Meaning the people and 'krato' meaning authority i. e. in  democracy all authority originates from the people. Decentralization means distribution of functions and powers from a central authority to regional & local authorities democratic decentralization in the present context means that the government which has derived its authority from the people redistribute it to some extent to the people for decision and action at the local level. This is popularly known as PANCHAYATI RAJ in India. The policy of democratic decentralization envisages.

i. The establishment of elected and organically linked democratic bodies at the village blocks and district levels;

ii. The entrustment of all planning and developmental activities to these bodies;

iii. Transfer of adequate resources to these bodies to enable them to discharge duties.

          Ashok Mehta (1978), in the report of the committee of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) indentified three phases of Panchayati Raj in India.

1.   The phase of ascendency ( 1959 - 64 )

2.   The phase of stagnation ( 1965 - 69 )

3.   The phase of decline ( 1969 - 77 )

THE CONSTITUTION SEVENTY - THIRD AMENDMENT ACT, 1992 - To establish Panchayati Raj on firm footing, the constitution of India was amended, which may be regarded as a landmark in the process of democratic decentralization. The salient features of the constitutions Seventy Third AMENDMENT ACT, 1992 (Legislative Department government of India, 1993) were as follows the provisions of the act were applicable in all the states and union territories, except in some specified areas.

Constitutions of Panchayats - Panchayats shall be constituted in every state at the village, intermediate and district levels Panchayats in a state having a population not exceeding twenty lakhs.

Compositions of Panchayats - All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by direct election. The chairperson of the panchayats at the village levels shall be represented in the panchayats at the intermediate level or, in case of a level, in the panchayats at the district levels. The chairpersons of the panchayats at the intermediate levels shall be represented in the panchayats at the district levels.

The M.Ps and M.L.As  shall be represented in the  panchayats at the intermediate and district levels. The members of the council of states and the M.L.Cs shall be represented at the intermediate and district levels.

The chairperson of a panchayat at the village level shall be elected such manner as the legislature of a state may, by law provide. The chairperson of a panchayat at the intermediate level or district level shall be elected by and from amongst, the elected members there of.

Reservation of Seats -

Seats shall be reserved for the scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) in every panchayat. The number of seats so reserved shall bear the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that panchayat, as the population of sc and st in that panchayat area bears to the total population of that area such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a panchayat of.

• Not less than one - third of the total number of seats reserved under the clause shall be reserved for woman belonging to the Sc and ST.
• Not less than one - third (including the number of seats reserved for woman belonging to the SC and ST) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every panchayat shall be reserved for woman. Such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a panchayat.
• Not less than one - one third of the total number of offices of chairpersons in the panchayats at each level should be reserved for woman. The number of offices reserved shall be allotted by rotation to different panchayats at each level.
• Duration of panchayats - Every Panchayat shall normally continue for a period of five years.

Powers, Authority and Responsibilities of Panchayats -

The legislature of a state may, by law endow the panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self Government and such law may provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon panchayats at the appropriate level, with respect.

• The preparation of plants fro economic development and social justice and
• The implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted

 Powers to impose taxes by and funds of the panchayats - 

• The  legislature of a state may be law, authorize a panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees,
• Assign to a Panchayat taxes, duties, tolls and fees levied and collect by the state government;    
• Provide for making grants-in-aid to the Panchayat from the consolidated fund of the state; and provide for constitution of funds for crediting all moneys received.   

Constitution of Finance Commission -

A Finance commission shall be constituted in each state to review the financial position of the Panchayat and to make recommendations.

Audit of Accounts of Panchayat -

The legislature of a state may, by law make provisions with respects to maintenance of accounts by the Panchayat and the auditing of such accounts.

Elections to the Panchayat -

The Superintendence directions and control of the preparation of electrol rolls for, and conduct of all elections to the Panchayat shall be vested in a state elections commission consisting of an election commissioner.