(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) The Decade of Empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions

(APRIL-2025)

The Decade of Empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions

Context:

April 24, 1993, was a historic moment in the history of India’s local self-government system. On this day, the President of India gave assent to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, granting constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country. This amendment introduced Part IX (Article 243) to the Constitution, establishing a three-tier system of Panchayats and devolving powers and responsibilities to them. It also ensured broader representation for Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), thereby empowering weaker sections of society. Article 243G of the Constitution mandates that Panchayats should plan and implement schemes for local economic development and social justice.

Progress so far:

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment has been in effect for over three decades, the Panchayati Raj system has witnessed significant progress in the last decade, driving socio-economic transformation through these institutions.
The three-tier Panchayati Raj system, comprising 31.5 lakh elected representatives of whom about 46% are women has emerged as a beacon of hope for rural communities. Panchayati Raj Institutions have proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms for achieving rapid socio-economic development and fostering political empowerment among marginalized and deprived sections, including SCs, STs, OBCs, and women in rural India.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are the pillars of democracy. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India has undertaken numerous initiatives over the past 11 years to strengthen these institutions. The Government remains committed to making Panchayats more empowered, self-reliant, and well-governed, with the ultimate goal of building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) through Viksit Panchayats (Developed Panchayats).
The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen and empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). These efforts aim to enhance the capacity of PRI representatives in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities while improving the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of PRIs. Ultimately these initiatives contribute to inclusive development, economic growth, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gram Sabha’s role in strengthening PRIs

The Gram Sabha plays a central and integral role in local self-governance. It is crucial for ensuring the transparent and accountable functioning of Gram Panchayats. Public participation is key to empowering Gram Panchayats, and the most important aspect of this process is strengthening Gram Sabhas by encouraging active and effective citizen involvement.
To enhance community participation, at least six Gram Sabha meetings should be held annually. These meetings should focus on the overall well-being of various stakeholders, including youth, women, children, and farmers.

Roles & responsibilities of Panchayats

Panchayats primarily fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments, as “Local Government” is a State subject. Each state operates Panchayats through its respective Panchayati Raj Act. The Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution outlines 29 subjects that state legislatures can consider for devolution to Panchayats. These subjects encompass various aspects of rural development, including:

Agriculture
Land improvement and reforms
Minor irrigation and water management
Fisheries

Social forestry and minor forest produce Small-scale and cottage industries
Rural housing
Rural roads, bridges, and waterways
Rural electrification and non-conventional energy sources
Poverty alleviation programs
Education
Markets & fairs
Health & Sanitation, family welfare

Women & Child Development & Social Welfare
Public Distribution System
Maintenance of community assets

Nine thematic areas are as below:

Poverty-Free and Livelihood-Enhanced Village - Enhancing income levels and ensuring social protection schemes.
Healthy Village - Ensuring 100% immunization, institutional deliveries, and improved healthcare access.
Child-Friendly Village - Promoting education, reducing dropouts, and eliminating child labor.
Water-Sufficient Village -Ensuring potable water
Clean and Green Village -Achieving 100% Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status and managing waste effectively.
Village with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure -Improving roads, health centers, and sanitation facilities.
Socially Just and Secure Village - Supporting disadvantaged groups and providing social protection.
Village with Good Governance - Strengthening local governance through regular Gram Sabhas and committees.
Women-Friendly Village - Ensuring maternal healthcare, crime prevention, and women’s participation in governance

Panchayat level weather forecasting

Farmers in India often face adverse weather conditions, and the lack of timely information on sudden weather changes negatively impacts agricultural production. To address this challenge, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has initiated an effort to provide accurate weather forecasts at the Gram Panchayat level. Under this initiative, weather forecast information at the Gram Panchayat level is now available on digital platforms such as the Meri Panchayat mobile app, Gram Manchitra and e-Gram Swaraj portal. This significant initiative is part of this Government’s 100-day agenda and reflects its whole-of-government approach.

Transparency through use of technology

The e-Gram SWARAJ is also integrated with Government eMarket place (GeM) to enable seamless procurement and accounting experience to the Panchayats. Ministry is also providing an online system to show the list of the beneficiary of various Central Government Schemes on e-Gram SWARAJ. As on date, data from 7 Ministries and 18 schemes with details of around 17 crore beneficiaries have been ported.

SVAMITVA Scheme

The scheme SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) is implemented by MoPR to provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas in villages and issuance of property cards to the property owners after survey through drone flying. Drone survey has been completed in 3.20 lakh villages and saturated/completed in the states of UT of Lakshadweep, Delhi, and state of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

Conclusion and Way Forward:

For Panchayati Raj Institutions to thrive, all the stakeholders must trust and invest in their potential, support and nurture them. While Government of India will continue to play its pro-active role in making these institutions empowered to function as institutions of local self-Governments in its true sense, being a state subject, State Governments must strengthen and equip these institutions with 3Fs adequately, i.e. with required resources, proper delegation of powers and responsibility as well as with sufficient manpower to deliver their responsibilities. There are innumerable examples to show how well-endowed Panchayats have been engines of growth and contributing significantly in socio-economic growth and development, poverty alleviation, disaster management, implementing welfare schemes etc.

A well-functioning Gram Panchayat brings governance to people’s doorsteps, strengthening democracy and realizing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj.