🏛️ Panchayat Raj System
Three-tier Panchayat Raj system — Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, Ashok Mehta Committee, structure and key facts for AFO exam.
Panchayat Raj System
The Panchayat Raj system is India's framework of local self-governance at the village, block, and district levels. It was introduced to decentralize administration and bring governance closer to the people.
Origin & Committees
- Recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1956-58)
- First started at Nagaur, Rajasthan on October 2, 1959 Frequently Asked in AFO
- The basic unit of PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) is the Gram Sabha
- The basic operational unit for rural development is the Block
IMPORTANT
Two-tier Panchayati Raj was recommended by Ashok Mehta Committee (1978). This two-tier system exists in districts where population is below 2 lakh.
Three Tiers of Panchayat Raj
| Tier | Level | Body | Head/Secretary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Tier | Village | Gram Panchayat | Secretary: Gram Sevak |
| 2nd Tier | Block | Panchayat Samiti | Leader: BDO (Block Development Officer) |
| 3rd Tier | District | Zila Parishad | Head: Collector |
1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level)
- Primary unit of local self-government
- Panchayat is a cabinet of village elders, directly elected by adult citizens of the village
- Secretary of Gram Panchayat: Gram Sevak
- The Gram Sevak is the grassroots-level extension functionary who links the village to government programmes
2. Panchayat Samiti (Block Level)
- Second tier of administration at the Block level
- Consists of:
- Panchayat Union Chairman
- Presidents of all Panchayats in the area
- Local MLAs, MLCs, MPs (with right to vote, but not to hold office)
- Nominated persons
- Block Development Officer (BDO) is appointed by the government and functions as the leader of the Block
- BDO coordinates all development programmes at the block level
3. Zila Parishad (District Level)
- Third tier of Panchayat Raj functioning at the district level
- Key functions:
- Approves budget and plans of the blocks
- Allots funds to the blocks
- Coordinates and supervises block-level activities
- Head of Zila Parishad: Collector
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Panchayat Raj System
The Panchayat Raj system is India's framework of local self-governance at the village, block, and district levels. It was introduced to decentralize administration and bring governance closer to the people.
Origin & Committees
- Recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1956-58)
- First started at Nagaur, Rajasthan on October 2, 1959 Frequently Asked in AFO
- The basic unit of PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) is the Gram Sabha
- The basic operational unit for rural development is the Block
IMPORTANT
Two-tier Panchayati Raj was recommended by Ashok Mehta Committee (1978). This two-tier system exists in districts where population is below 2 lakh.
Three Tiers of Panchayat Raj
| Tier | Level | Body | Head/Secretary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Tier | Village | Gram Panchayat | Secretary: Gram Sevak |
| 2nd Tier | Block | Panchayat Samiti | Leader: BDO (Block Development Officer) |
| 3rd Tier | District | Zila Parishad | Head: Collector |
1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level)
- Primary unit of local self-government
- Panchayat is a cabinet of village elders, directly elected by adult citizens of the village
- Secretary of Gram Panchayat: Gram Sevak
- The Gram Sevak is the grassroots-level extension functionary who links the village to government programmes
2. Panchayat Samiti (Block Level)
- Second tier of administration at the Block level
- Consists of:
- Panchayat Union Chairman
- Presidents of all Panchayats in the area
- Local MLAs, MLCs, MPs (with right to vote, but not to hold office)
- Nominated persons
- Block Development Officer (BDO) is appointed by the government and functions as the leader of the Block
- BDO coordinates all development programmes at the block level
3. Zila Parishad (District Level)
- Third tier of Panchayat Raj functioning at the district level
- Key functions:
- Approves budget and plans of the blocks
- Allots funds to the blocks
- Coordinates and supervises block-level activities
- Head of Zila Parishad: Collector
TIP
Quick Memory Aid — "G-P-Z":
- Gram Panchayat → Gram Sevak → Village
- Panchayat Samiti → BDO → Block
- Zila Parishad → Collector → District
Key One-Liners for Exam
- Panchayat Raj was first implemented in Nagaur, Rajasthan on 2nd October 1959
- Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended 3-tier PRI (1956-58)
- Ashok Mehta Committee recommended 2-tier PRI (1978) for districts with population below 2 lakh
- Basic unit of PRI = Gram Sabha
- Basic unit of rural development = Block
- Participatory development approach is also called Bottom-up approach
- The most preferred work in extension is Democratic