Two Panchayati Raj system
- The two-tier Panchayati Raj system is an Indian centralized governance system that involves the formation of two levels of local self-government institutions, namely Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis.
- Gram Panchayats are the system’s fundamental components, in charge of governing villages or groups of villages. Each Gram Panchayat is made up of a directly elected Sarpanch (village leader) and other people-elected members known as Panchs (councillors). Gram Panchayats are in charge of providing basic facilities such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education in the community.
- The 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1992, established the two-tier Panchayati Raj system with the intention of advancing local democracy and giving people more control at the local level. It has contributed to increased public participation in the government process and the growth of the nation’s rural areas.
- The system is composed of two tiers: the Gram Panchayat (village council) at the village level and the Panchayat Samiti (block council) at the block or taluka level. Here are the roles and responsibilities of each level:
Gram Panchayat:
The Gram Panchayat is the lowest tier of the Panchayati Raj System and is responsible for governing a single village or group of villages. Its primary functions include:
- Planning and implementing rural development programs and schemes within its jurisdiction.
- Maintaining and developing community assets such as roads, water supply systems, and public buildings.
- Implementing government welfare programs such as MGNREGA, ICDS, etc.
- Resolving disputes and conflicts that arise within the village.
- Collecting taxes and fees as authorized by the state government.
- Maintaining records and registers of births, deaths, and marriages in the village.
Panchayat Samiti:
The Panchayat Samiti is the second tier of the Panchayati Raj System and covers a group of Gram Panchayats within a block or taluka. Its primary functions include:
- Coordinating the development activities of the Gram Panchayats under its jurisdiction.
- Planning and implementing block-level development programs and schemes.
- Providing support and guidance to the Gram Panchayats in their development activities.
- Ensuring the effective delivery of government welfare programs at the block level.
- Mobilizing resources for rural development activities.
- Maintaining records and registers of births, deaths, and marriages within its jurisdiction.
Difference Between Two and Three Tier Panchayati Raj System
The Panchayati Raj system is an Indian decentralised form of local self-government that attempts to deliver democracy to the people. The word “Panchayati Raj” literally means “ruling by the village council” and refers to the rural local government system. The Panchayati Raj system was adopted as a constitutional amendment in India in 1992 with the goal of decentralising authority and increasing democratic participation at the grassroots level. It is a crucial component of India’s democratic system since it allows local people to participate in decision-making, facilitates the delivery of services and infrastructure at the local level, and promotes accountability and openness.
The Panchayati Raj system is divided into two tiers or levels: the Gram Panchayat (village council) and the Panchayat Samiti (block or taluka level council). The Gram Panchayat is in charge of a single village or set of villages, whereas the Panchayat Samiti is in charge of a group of Gram Panchayats. A third layer of Panchayati Raj institutions, known as the Zilla Parishad (district council), has also been established in several states. The Zilla Parishad is in charge of managing district development and coordinating the operations of the lower-level councils.
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