1. Committee Evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Recommended 3-tier Panchayati Raj system
(Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) and Democratic Decentralization. 1st State to establish Panchayati Raj: Rajasthan (Nagaur district,
inaugurated by PM Nehru on Oct 2, 1959), followed by Andhra Pradesh.
Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Recommended replacing 3-tier with a
2-tier system (Zilla Parishad & Mandal Panchayat) and official participation of
political parties.
G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985): Noted that development bureaucracy resulted in
"grass without roots"; recommended making Zilla Parishad the pivot of planning.
L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Recommended constitutional recognition and
protection for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
2. Salient Features of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
Constitutional Status: Added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and
the Eleventh Schedule (29 Functional Items under Art 243-G). Enforced on April 24, 1993 (National Panchayati Raj Day).
Gram Sabha (Article 243-A): Foundation of Panchayati Raj. A body consisting of all
registered voters in the village area.
3-Tier Structure: Mandatory 3-tier system (Village, Intermediate, District). States
with population below 20 Lakhs need not constitute the intermediate level.
Direct Elections & Reservation: Direct election for all seats. At least 1/3rd of total seats reserved for women (including SC/ST
women). SC/ST reservation in proportion to population.
Duration & Tenure (Article 243-E): 5-year term. If dissolved earlier, elections
must be held within 6 months. Newly elected body holds office for the remainder of
the term.
State Commissions: State Election Commission (Art 243-K) and State Finance
Commission (Art 243-I) constituted every 5 years by the Governor.
3. PESA Act 1996 (Provisions on Panchayats Extension Act)
Extension to 5th Schedule Areas (Bhuria Committee):
Objective: Extends Part IX provisions to Scheduled Areas under 5th
Schedule in 10 States (AP, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, MP,
Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan) while safeguarding tribal customs and autonomy.
Gram Sabha Empowerment: Gram Sabha is empowered to approve plans/programmes,
identify beneficiaries, grant mandatory consultation before land acquisition, and manage:
• Ownership of Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
• Control over village markets and money lending to STs.
• Prevention of land alienation among Scheduled Tribes.
• Mandatory prior recommendation for mining leases for minor minerals.
11th Schedule (29 Subjects / Functional Items)
Added by 73rd CAA 1992 (Article 243G). Contains 29 subjects / functional items entrusted to Panchayats, including agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, small-scale industries, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health, and welfare.
Compulsory vs. Voluntary Provisions of 73rd CAA 1992
Compulsory Provisions (Mandatory by Law)
Voluntary Provisions (At State Discretion)
Organization of Gram Sabha at village level (Art 243A).
Giving voting rights to MPs and MLAs in Panchayats at intermediate/district levels.
Establishment of a 3-tier system (Village, Intermediate, District) (except states with pop < 20 lakhs).
Providing reservation of seats for Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayats at any level.
Direct elections to all seats in Panchayats at all 3 levels.
Devolving powers and authority to Gram Sabha / Panchayats to function as institutions of self-government (29 subjects).
Indirect elections to the post of Chairperson at Intermediate and District levels.
Granting financial powers (authorizing Panchayats to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, fees).
Minimum age of 21 years for contesting elections to Panchayats.
Providing financial grants-in-aid to Panchayats from State Consolidated Fund.
Mandatory 1/3rd reservation for women (including SC/ST women) in seats and chairperson posts.
Creating funds for crediting all moneys of the Panchayats.
Fixed tenure of 5 years for Panchayats at all levels (fresh elections within 6 months if dissolved).
Establishment of State Election Commission (Art 243K) & State Finance Commission (Art 243I).
🌾 3-Tier Structure & PESA Empowerment Framework
graph TD
PR["🌾 PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM (73rd CAA 1992)"]
PR --> ZP["1. Zilla Parishad (District Level - Chairpersons elected indirectly)"]
PR --> PS["2. Panchayat Samiti (Block/Intermediate Level - Population > 20 Lakhs)"]
PR --> GP["3. Gram Panchayat (Village Level - Directly elected members)"]
GP --> GS["🏛️ Gram Sabha (Art 243A) (All registered voters in village)"]
subgraph PESA ["PESA Act 1996 (5th Schedule Areas)"]
GS --> PESA_P["Powers over MFP, Land Alienation, Minor Minerals & Intoxicants"]
end