Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions for Rural Development

About the Book

Panchayati Raj was not a new concept to India. Indian villages had Panchayats from very ancient time, which were having both executive and judicial powers and used to handle various issues or disputes arising in the village area. Gandhiji also held the opinion of empowerment of Panchayats for the development of rural areas. Thus, recognizing their importance our Constitution makers included a provision for Panchayats in part IV of our constitution. All Panchayati Raj Institutions perform such functions as are specified in state laws relating to panchayati raj. Some States distinguish between obligatory (compulsory) and optional functions of Gram Panchayats while other States do not make this distinction. The Panchayat as a body is accountable to the general body of the village known as Gram Sabha which meets at least twice a year. The Gram Panchayat must present its budget, accounts of the previous year and annual administrative report before the Gram Sabha. Furthermore, it has to secure the latter’s approval of the village production plan, proposals for taxation and development programmes before they are enforced by the Panchayat. This book covers a broad spectrum of Panchayati Raj System organizational structure, powers, functions, personnel, finance and overall performance. The book will be useful for students, politicians and local administration professionals.

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction — An Overview of Panchayati Raj — An Insight into Panchayt Raj System in India — Rural Development and Panchayati Raj — Decentralisation in India: Poverty, Politics and Panchayati Raj — The Panchayati Raj and Decentralised Planning in India — Bibliography — Index —

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