The realization that peoples' 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 Balvantray G.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.
Democratic Decentralisation
The word 'democracy' is derived from the Greek 'demos' means 'the people'; 'cracy'
means 'rule of'. It is the 'rule of people'. It is governance of the people, by the people, for the
people. The rule by majority is an important feature of this programme.
Decentralisation means devolution of central authority among local units close to the
areas served. Where authority devolves by this process on people's institution, it is 'democratic
decentralisation'.
The State of Madras tried this as a pilot project as early as 1957. Based on the success in
this State it was Rajasthan which became the pioneer to bring the whole state under democratic
decentralisation on Oct. 2, 1959.
Meaning - Panchayat Raj
The concept 'democratic decentralisation' was not easily understood by the people.
Therefore, as decided by the then Prime Minister the three-tier administration was introduced in
the name of "Panchayat Raj". Panchayat Raj means the system of Government. Horizontally it
is a network of village panchayats. Vertically, it is an organic growth of panchayat rising upto
national level.
Panchayat Raj was easily accepted because it meant administration by mutual consultation,
consent and consensus. It fitted closely into the ancient cultural patterns in India.
Three tiers of Panchayat Raj
The Gram Panchayat: The first formal democratic institution under the directive principle in
the Indian constitution is the Gram Panchayat or Panchayat. It is the primary unit of local selfgovernment. Panchayat is a cabinet of the village elders, directly elected by the adult citizens of
the village.
Gram Panchayats are constituted considering their income, population and area. The
income varies from mere Rs.500/- kper annum to more than Rs.2.00 lakhs. The population
varies from 500 to 25,000. The panchayat membership varies from 5 to 17. There is provision
for reservation of seats for women and SC and STs. The panchayat has a tenure of five years and
is directly elected. The meeting is to be convened atleast once in six months. It has income
through taxes to perform its functions. The main functions of Panchayats are:
(i) representative function, where the main role is to voice and represent the opinion;
(ii) regulatory and administrative functions, which consists of regulating the conduct of
indivuduals and institutions and also collection of taxes;
(iii) service or developmental function, such as promotion of education, health, agriculture,
etc.
The Panchayat Samithi or Panchayat Union: This is the second tier of the administration at
Block level. It consists of Panchayat Union Chairman, presidents of all panchayats in the area,
local MLAs, MLCs, MPs etc., with the right to vote, but not to hold office and nominated
persons. Reservation and cooperation are given for women, SCs and STs and persons with
experience in administration and public life.
Block Development Officer is appointed by the Government. He functions as the leader
of the Block.
Functions of the Block
(1) It has to instill among people within its jurisdiction a spirit of self-help and initiative and
work for raising the standard of living;
(2) It has to support for the implementation of development programmes;
(3) It has the welfare and development activities in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry,
health, sanitation, elementary education, cottage industries and social.
(4) It has to use the village housing project funds and loans.
District Development Council (Zila Parishad)
This is the third tier of Panchayat Raj functioning at district level. The members are all
Panchayat Union Chairman, District Collector, MLAs, MLCs, MPs of the district with right to
vote but not to hold office and women, SC, ST and persons interested in rural development are
also given representation. District Collector leads the work with the help of District
Development Officers.
Functions
It works as advisory body for blocks. It approves budget and plan of blocks. It allots
funds to the blocks. It approves budget and plan of blocks. It allots funds to the blocks.
Secondary education is the responsibility of this council. It should advise Government in all
matters relating to rural development in the district. It has to review the results achieved under
various items in all the blocks.
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 Balvantray G.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.
Democratic Decentralisation
The word 'democracy' is derived from the Greek 'demos' means 'the people'; 'cracy'
means 'rule of'. It is the 'rule of people'. It is governance of the people, by the people, for the
people. The rule by majority is an important feature of this programme.
Decentralisation means devolution of central authority among local units close to the
areas served. Where authority devolves by this process on people's institution, it is 'democratic
decentralisation'.
The State of Madras tried this as a pilot project as early as 1957. Based on the success in
this State it was Rajasthan which became the pioneer to bring the whole state under democratic
decentralisation on Oct. 2, 1959.
Meaning - Panchayat Raj
The concept 'democratic decentralisation' was not easily understood by the people.
Therefore, as decided by the then Prime Minister the three-tier administration was introduced in
the name of "Panchayat Raj". Panchayat Raj means the system of Government. Horizontally it
is a network of village panchayats. Vertically, it is an organic growth of panchayat rising upto
national level.
Panchayat Raj was easily accepted because it meant administration by mutual consultation,
consent and consensus. It fitted closely into the ancient cultural patterns in India.
Three tiers of Panchayat Raj
The Gram Panchayat: The first formal democratic institution under the directive principle in
the Indian constitution is the Gram Panchayat or Panchayat. It is the primary unit of local selfgovernment. Panchayat is a cabinet of the village elders, directly elected by the adult citizens of
the village.
Gram Panchayats are constituted considering their income, population and area. The
income varies from mere Rs.500/- kper annum to more than Rs.2.00 lakhs. The population
varies from 500 to 25,000. The panchayat membership varies from 5 to 17. There is provision
for reservation of seats for women and SC and STs. The panchayat has a tenure of five years and
is directly elected. The meeting is to be convened atleast once in six months. It has income
through taxes to perform its functions. The main functions of Panchayats are:
(i) representative function, where the main role is to voice and represent the opinion;
(ii) regulatory and administrative functions, which consists of regulating the conduct of
indivuduals and institutions and also collection of taxes;
(iii) service or developmental function, such as promotion of education, health, agriculture,
etc.
The Panchayat Samithi or Panchayat Union: This is the second tier of the administration at
Block level. It consists of Panchayat Union Chairman, presidents of all panchayats in the area,
local MLAs, MLCs, MPs etc., with the right to vote, but not to hold office and nominated
persons. Reservation and cooperation are given for women, SCs and STs and persons with
experience in administration and public life.
Block Development Officer is appointed by the Government. He functions as the leader
of the Block.
Functions of the Block
(1) It has to instill among people within its jurisdiction a spirit of self-help and initiative and
work for raising the standard of living;
(2) It has to support for the implementation of development programmes;
(3) It has the welfare and development activities in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry,
health, sanitation, elementary education, cottage industries and social.
(4) It has to use the village housing project funds and loans.
District Development Council (Zila Parishad)
This is the third tier of Panchayat Raj functioning at district level. The members are all
Panchayat Union Chairman, District Collector, MLAs, MLCs, MPs of the district with right to
vote but not to hold office and women, SC, ST and persons interested in rural development are
also given representation. District Collector leads the work with the help of District
Development Officers.
Functions
It works as advisory body for blocks. It approves budget and plan of blocks. It allots
funds to the blocks. It approves budget and plan of blocks. It allots funds to the blocks.
Secondary education is the responsibility of this council. It should advise Government in all
matters relating to rural development in the district. It has to review the results achieved under
various items in all the blocks.
