17-03-2012, 10:03 AM
Panchayati Raj Divas
The philosophy of Panchayat Raj is deeply steeped in
tradition and culture of rural India and is by no means a
new concept. Panchayati Raj Provided a system of selfgovernance
at the village level, however, it did not have a
constitutional status. The Constitution of India under 73rd
Amendment Act, 1992 provides a framework on which it
was designed to have a 3 tier decentralized system for Panchayat Raj institutions (PRIs).
Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Orissa
Orissa Grama Panchayat Act was enacted in the year 1948. Subsequently in the year
1961, 3 tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions was introduced in Orissa. Over the last
50 years Panchayati Raj Institutions have emerged as the powerful institutions in bringing
about rapid and sustainable development and socio-economic transformation in rural
Orissa. It has an integrated prospective towards improving the quality of lives of rural
people and ensuring equity and effective peoples’ participation. 73rd amendment of the
Constitution has conferred constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. The
Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act aims at empowering
Panchayati Raj Institutions in Scheduled areas for economic development and social
justice. In the year 2002, election to 3 tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions held in
conformity with 73rd amendment and PESA thereby empowering tribal people as
envisaged under the PESA. The Government has the obligation to bring up Panchayati
Raj Institutions as Institutions of Self -Government as per 73rd amendment of the
Constitution of India 1992. 73rd Amendment marks a new era in the federal set up of the
country and provides constitutional status to the PRIs. The prime objectives of the three
Published on National Portal of India www.india.gov.in
tiers Panchayati Raj System are to eradicate
poverty, uplift standard of living of people in
the rural areas, and bring about a healthy society
by creating awareness for hygiene, sanitation
and eradication of illiteracy. The state has
established a State Election Commissioner to
conduct the election of PRIs. The 73rd
amendment of the Constitution mandates Government to endow the Panchayati Raj
Institutions with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to
function as institutions of self-Government. It also provides that powers and
responsibility shall be devolved upon PRIs subject to such conditions as may be specified
therein, with respect to the preparation of plans for economic development and social
justice and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as
may be entrusted to them including those listed in the 11th Schedule.
Basic Services
Panchayats at village levels are expected to perform certain obligatory functions to
provide basic services to all the people living in the area. Gram Panchayats in Orissa have
been empowered to levy taxes and manage community assets created out of different
poverty eradication and area development schemes. They as constitutional bodies
represent the model of community participation and social empowerment. Basic services
among others include:
1. Primary education
2. Primary health·
3. Safe Drinking water·
4. Sanitation and street lighting·
5. Environment protection·
6. Common property resources (CPR) management
Published on National Portal of India www.india.gov.in
Why Panchayati Raj Divas is Celebrated in Orissa?
• To recognize the importance of Panchayati Raj system.
• To create awareness among people regarding Panchayati Raj system.
• To imbibe the empowerment among Panchayati Raj representatives.
• To reward the best performers in Panchayati Raj institutions.
• To reward the leaderships in Panchayati Raj systems.