ii. Evolution of the Panchayati Raj System
Article 40 of the Indian Constitution mandated state governments to create panchayats and empower them with the necessary functions and powers to operate effectively as units of self-governance. In fulfilling this obligation, the government of India established various committees to recommend ways to implement rural self-governance more effectively.
Following are the committees that were constituted:
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Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, 1957 |
This committee was appointed to monitor the functioning of the Community Development Program, 1952, and National Extension service, 1953 and to recommend ideas to improve their efficiency. The committee suggested democratic decentralisation that came to be known as the “Panchayati Raj System.” The committee also suggested the three-tier system at the village, block, and district levels. |
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Sadiq Ali Committee, 1964 |
This Committee was constituted to report on the working of gram sabha in Rajasthan. The Committee reported the following weaknesses:
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G.L. Vyas Committee, 1973 |
This Committee stated in order to rectify the dysfunction in the system recommended compulsory attendance of Sarpanch in every meeting, statutory recognition of gram sabha, meetings should be in May-June and January-December, compulsory attendance of patwari. |
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Ashok Mehta Committee, 1977 |
The Committee recommended a two-tier system in panchayats, regular social audit, regular elections, reservation of SCs and STs. |
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G.V.K. Rao Committee, 1985 |
This Committee was the first committee to recommend providing constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. |
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L. M. Singhvi Committee, 1986 |
This Committee recommended the establishment of Nyaya panchayats, enhancing the financial resources of panchayats. The Committee also recommended the establishment of a separate judicial tribunal to deal with the cases regarding elections or any other matters of panchayats |
In September 1991, 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced by the Lok Sabha and was passed by the same on 22nd December 1992. Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on 23rd December 1992 and it received the President’s assent on 20th April 1993 and came into force on 24th April 1993.