Panchayati Raj Institution(PRI) or Local Self Government in India- An Introduction

I could have started theory part/paper-II theory parts but, in order to get familiar with some of the most institution of India, I thought it would be helpful for us to have such information in hand for easy reference. As I speak earlier, we will be using examples from current affairs perspective and we will hardly use imaginary examples(Because Examiner is expecting your implementation part of the theories as well, which you can highlight by giving examples from the current affairs perspective).

PRI- Panchayati Raj Institution

Local self government being the vision of our father of the nation- MK Gandhi, it was imbibed in our Constitution as a DPSP. Then in 1992-3, PRI  becomes a full fledged constitutional body and becomes the third tier of Governments in India (First Tier- Central Govt, Second Tier- State Government).  Now Villages or Local Governments got more power in planning as well as developmental activities. Usually, PRI has three Stages - Village, Block and District Level in terms of Planning and decision making parts are concerned.

Notes :

1. Rajasthan state became the first state in India to implement Pachayati Raj System

2. It was during PV Narashima Rao's PM'ship, the PRI got the Constitutional Status in 1993

3. 24th April is celebrated as PRI day by Ministry of Panchayati Raj

4. LM Singhvee Committee's Recommendation became the Model for the present day PRI

5. Nagaland and Mizoram - states which don't have this institutions

6. Except Delhi UT, remaining UTs don't have PRIs.

It is the Village level, we call it Gram Panchayat, which is vehicle of PRI in India. It includes every voters in the village as members of Gram Shabha and they elect the member of Gram Panchayat for the period of the 5 yrs. Gram Panchayat is headed by a Sarcpanch.

Though the country has given the constitutional Mandate to this institution, the state government has still a lot say in these institution has the Constitution has listed Local Government as the State Subject. But largely, the Institution has become more active now, as the process of democratic Decentralization began in 1992 (by PRI Act 1992).

Now every state has established State Financial Commission(SFC) and State Election Commission(SEC) to vitalize the PRIs in the states. SFC took the responsibility for recommending states in term of finance sharing between state Government and PRIs in the State. SEC has been given the responsibility to hold election in the state for the PRIs.

Though the PRIs have gone a long journey since  1992, yet the institutions survive because of state and central Governments grants. The Financial condition of these institutions has many loopholes and yet to get fixed. As we know these institutions are at grass root level and perform the basic service of development for the citizens. indeed the are the core of Public Administration in developmental activities per se in India .