Panchayati Raj System E -Content for Pol Sc. , MA Sem 1V By Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Singh, Ex Head, Dept. of Pol. Sc., A.N. College , PPU Urban areas and their governance have always been a subject of interest and have traversed various territories, sometimes slippery, sometimes firm, but always a matter of discussion and a favorite of policy making. Efforts have been made by the government repeatedly to create smooth and efficient ways of managing urban affairs. Another leap in this direction was the 74th Amendment Act of the Constitution in 1992.At that time it was considered a path breaking amendment because it aimed at the creation of local governments and dissolution of powers to them in the respective states. It outlined a broad framework of institutions that would act as the local governments and would ultimately bridge the gap between the government and the governed. The 73rd Amendment Act, which is known as the sister amendment aimed at the creation of stronger, active bodies at the local level in the rural areas. The people would take part in the issues that affected them directly thereby having a say in the decision-making. These amendments, which came after considerable debate in the country, were quite revolutionary, especially in several States that still relied on a large measure of centralisation. People were to be given say in how their communities would develop: their elected representatives at the local level were to be empowered to act in the common interest. This implied that there would be a structure of local bodies in place, which would be classified, based on population. Therefore, the smaller areas would have municipal councils while the bigger areas will have a corporation.1The areas in the transitional phase-neither urban, nor rural, will have Nagar Panchayats. These would be the first tier of local government, zonal committees would come in next, further dividing the area. The last and the most important level would be the Ward committees, which would comprise of two or more wards. A two-tier system of Wards committees and a Municipal council for smaller urban areas and a three-tier system of wards committees, zonal committees and corporation for larger urban areas. The delimitation of a ward was left to the state governments to decide. Women constitute almost half of the population of the world. Hence to strengthen democracy equal participation of women and men in political 1 decision -making is necessary. Actually, democracy to survive and thrive must be accompanied by freedom and equality for all irrespective of their caste, class and sexThis calls for determined efforts for the upliftment of women especially in the field of decision-making to ensure their development and empowerment. The 73rd constitutional amendment bill providing 33 percent reservation for women in Panchayats and Municipal bodies is a glorious epitome of political empowerment of women at the grassroots level. Thus it has been tried to ensure democratic decentralization with a step to accomplish gender justice in political participation. But according to a 1980 UN report “Women constitute half of the world’s population, perform nearly two-third of its work hours, receive one- tenth of the world’s income and own less than one hundredth of the world’s property.” They comprise 66 percent of the world’s illiterates and 70 percent of the world’s poor. Gender inequality is defined as the departure from parity in the representation of women and men in key dimension of social life. National Commission for women Act, Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, Child Marriage Prevention Act etc are also there on the statute book, but women still continue to be discriminated because these acts are bereft of teeth. Even the Reservation Bill pending before Parliament, which is bogged down on clamour for special reservation for B.C. women. However, another view is for voluntary commitment rather than legislative coercion. In Sweden, the Social Democratic Party, the Left Party and the Green Party have committed themselves to a 40 percent for women. In the Netherlands, it varies from 26 percent in the Christian Democratic Party to 33 percent in the Socialist Party. Women are especially active in local institutions in these countries. The constitution of free India envisaged organization of villagePanchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of Local self government.The government of India set up a committee in June 1986 which recommended the Panchayati Raj institutions should be constitutionally recognized, protected and preserved. Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi's government accepted the recommendationsof the Committee and brought forward the 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill.But the Bill could not be enacted. Panchayati Raj Institutions were constituted in the various states but it could not live upto the expectations for various reasons.Keeping in view the past experiences, it become imperative to provide constitutional status to local selfgovernment to impart certainty, continuity and strength.Thus, the constitution 73rd Amendment Act 1992 came into effect which envisages states 2 to establish a three tier system of strong, viable and responsive Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district level. Although, the Panchayati Raj in Punjab enjoys good reputation but it could not go upto many expectations till today i.e., strong, viable and responsive solidarity among large number of massess.Situation may not improve merely by amending the Act, What is to be needed todayis achange in thinking and bringing about a sense ofconsciousness among the people as well as the administrators.New normsandethics need to be created for both which will subserve the ideals of underlying decentralisation.Even learned foreignexperts may beinvited to form opinionbefore studying the situation. For achieving better resultsand greater commitments to PRI's bodies.Likewise, Panchayats should be made more active and responsive so that social awareness and consciousness could be created at the grassroots level.It is then, that the trueideals and experience in democratic decentralization would walk hand in hand.Then only, as Nehru said, every one in the country would be a partner in the progress. Panchayati Raj Institutions since 1959 As the working of Panchayati Raj Institutions since 1959 has been argued as successful in a few states and a failure in most of the states. It means that the system has been experiencing ups and downs. Although, the concept of Panchayti Raj is a State subject but, basically each state is free to evolve its own system depending upon Local needs, circumstances administrative conveniences and experiences.With the result, we have a variety of Panchayati Raj institutions with all kinds of combinations and permutations. In fact, their success orfailure depends upon their structure, powers, functions leadership, finances and state control.In a big country like India, changes in different aspects of these bodies have been taking place as per thec hanging circumstances. Although the whole activities of Panchayati Raj institutions are broad based but their resource base are very very weak.As things stand today, the local economy is very weak which indicates that Panchayati Raj Institutions have very limited scope to impose taxes in their jurisdiction. Introduction of Panchayati Raj washailedas oneof the most important political innovations in independent India.It was also considered as a revolutionary step.²Panchayati Raj is a system of local self government where in the people take upon themselves the responsibility for development.It is also a system of institutional arrangement for achieving rural Development through people'sinitiative and participation.Panchayati Raj involves a three-tierstructure of democratic institutions at district, block and village levels namely, Zila Prishad, Panchayat Samiti and Village Panchayats respectively.These institutions are 3 considered as training ground for democracy and gives political education³ to the massess. These institutions were established in 1959 based on the philosophy of decentralization 4 and gram swaraj.Rural development plans and programmes are implemented at this level so that fruits of development can accrue to the community directly. Both the Central and State Governments have appointed several Committees and Commissions for reviewing5 and recommending reforms to strengthen Panchayati Raj during the last three decades.Panchayati Raj that emerged in the states is substantially in tune with Balwant Rai Mehta team recommendations though there are distinguishing differences from state to state.Another Committee of Panchayati Raj appointedby the Central Government under the Chairmanship of Shri Ashok Mehta in 1978 is very important as itreviewed the systemof Panchayati Raj in different states in the country and recommended a differentstructure of Panchayati Raj.Starting with Rajstahan several states introduced Panchayati Raj in quick succession.In a handsome tribute, Prof.Maddick 7 describing the Mehta report "as an outstanding document and model of the way in which the growth of democratic institutitons in the country one of vital importance. While inaugurating Panchayati Raj at Nagour, Rajstahan on October 2, 1959, Nehru said with understandable enthusiasm, "we are going to lay the foundation of democracy or Panchayati Raj in India,".The focus was still on community projects and N.E.S and he thought that the reason for slow progress was