Panchayat Raj is a real democratic political apparatus, which would bring the masses into active political participation to establish a genuine political reign of rural India. Generally, it is also called as ‘Decentralization of Democracy’.
Since 1959 Democratic Decentralization has been gradually extended throughout India. After the implementation of the 73rd Amendment Act of the Constitution 1992, Panchayat Raj has brought politics down to village level. Balawant Rai Mehta Committee recommended a three Tier Structure of the Panchayat Raj institution. Namely,
Village Panchayat – at the village level.
Panchayat Samithi – at the Block level and
Zilla Panchayat – at the District level
Functions of Village Panchayat: The functions of the Village Panchayat are:
- Provision of water supply
- Maintenance of minor irrigation
- School buildings
- Family Planning
- Construction of wells and tanks
- Promotion of agriculture and animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries.
Apart from the above, they also manage promotion of village and cottage industries, providing electric power, construction and maintenance of Roads and Bridges, creating awareness regarding primary and secondary Education, maintenance of Public Health, general Sanitation, *** of the weaker section, maintenance of public properties and regulation and fairs and festivals and promotion of social and cultural activities.
