Essay on Panchayati Raj
India is a country of villages, where the rural people reside. For the development of rural zone, decentralization is essential. Moreover, direct cooperation of rural people in the rural development and systematic administrative procedures are important.
But it cannot be achieved in our country without the active participation of the Panchayat Rajya and Grampanchayats. The practice of Panchayats and Grampanchayats is carried out since long back. It means solving the local issues with the help of local judges. The locally appointed judges work out skillfully to resolve local problems and disputes and arguments.
That is why, the Panchayats based on primary level are considered as strong foundation and support of our Republic. Panchayats have played an important role in Nation's cultural, political, religious, social, and financial development.
On 15 August 1947, India became independent. The five year plans scheme as well as establishments of Gramsamiti and Panchayats were incorporated in the development programme. State Government provided a necessary helping hand to set up Grampanchayats. But they were endowed with limited powers. They lack financial sources. They found themselves incapable of taking decisions on budget for the required development programmes;
with the result the work could not be carried out as required and successfully. Therefore the complete mutiny in the field of their powers and rights in the working system was essential. So amendment in the Indian Constitution was brought to strengthen the Panchayat system. The true economic powers
were elevated. Today The Panchayat Raj system exists in every state and is bound to carry out the responsibility of making the rural zones develop and be better organized. Panchayat has certain duties towards rendering justice, solving local disputes, looking after education and welfare of the village etc.
To take care of the management of wells, temples, lakes, irrigation systems including equipments, guesthouses, schools also fall in the jurisdiction of the Panchayat. Panchayat administration is three-fold: The first one is the Gram Panchayat, the second is the Panchayat samiti and the third is the Zilla Parishad.
These bodies work for their respective zones and look after rural industries, agricultural development, mother- child welfare, health department, primary education, cattle feed, roads, wells, sanitation etc. To perform these duties they are provided with many financial support and administrative rights, so that they become self-reliant.
Due to their efforts, a new awareness is rising in rural communities and they have started thinking about their rights and abilities. The candidates from Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and through these Panchayati Sanstha a meaningful interaction between the forward and backward fronts is taking place rapidly and it is proving to be beneficial.
The Panchayat Rajya has stood as a blessing for the women-folk and for the economically backward classes. Sincere and hardworking women are getting elected as Sarpanch and Samiti-chief. Still there remains a lot of work to be done for the development, strengthening and well being of these democratic bodies.
Panchayats should be more impartial, reliable, responsible, skillful and capable. The cooperation and contribution of every level is very essential. Panchayats should get more hold on financial help, rights and freedom to use administrative powers. State and Central Government should take strong steps for this development.
There should be reservation for educated female candidates. This would be a good effort. Consequently the liability of these associations will increase. The real improvement and well-being of our nation depends mostly upon the skill, successful efforts or works of these organizations. Only Panchayats can resolve the local problems, no other alternative exists.