Ch. 1: Panchayati Raj System

# Level 2 — Full Concept Breakdown ## Definition **Panchayati Raj** is the **third tier** of the Indian democratic government for rural local self-government. ## Origin & history - **Panchayat** = group of five - Ancient custom: five elderly **panchs** settle disputes - Continued till **Mughal** times - Weak under **British** rule (officials sent instead) - **Revived after Independence** so people manage local affairs ## Three tiers | Level | Body | Area | |-------|------|------| | Village | Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayat, Nyaya Panchayat | Village | | Block | Block Samiti / Panchayat Samiti | Tehsil / taluka (~100 villages) | | District | Zila Parishad | Whole district | ## Gram Sabha - Village assembly - Population **500 or more** - Members: **all adults 18+** with right to vote - **Permanent** body - Meets at least **twice a year** - Elects **Sarpanch** ## Gram Panchayat - Elected representatives of Gram Sabha - **Sarpanch** (Village Pradhan) + **Vice-Sarpanch** - Seats for **SC/ST**; **one-third for women** - Term often **5 years** (also said 3–5 years) - **Compulsory** work: water, roads, health, schools, records, weaker sections, farmers - **Optional**: fairs, markets, playgrounds, rest houses ## Nyaya Panchayat - Village court for **petty civil and criminal** cases - **Cheap and speedy** justice - Can impose **small fines** only (not jail) - Appeal to district / high courts ## Block Samiti - Works at **block** level - Supervises village panchayats - **Block Development Officer (BDO)** runs plans - Funds and community development programmes ## Zila Parishad - **Highest** PR tier in the district - Headed by **District Collector** (IAS) - Link between **state** and **block** - Budgets, schools, hospitals, industries, five-year plan projects ## Importance Participation in democracy · cooperation · self-sufficiency · link with state and centre through collectors and BDOs