Panchayati Raj in Action

Contents: Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. The Working of Gram Sabha. 3. The Empowerment of Women Representatives. 4. The working of Nyay Panchayat. 5. The Rural Development Through Panchayati Institutions. 6. Politicisation and Criminalisation of PRIs. 7. Conclusion. Annexures.

The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are no more the God that had failed. They have taken a new incarnation after the 73rd constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which came into force with effect from the 24th April 1993. The new Act provided for a constitutional status to them with major structural functional changes. This very Act also made provisions for the regularity of the PRIs, direct election, one third representation for women, a State Finance Commission, a State Election Commission and so on giving them a new face.

The very objective of the study is to provide structural innovation on the basis of the working of their various organs. We shall try to plug the loopholes, if any, on the organizational level as well as on the functional stage. The functioning of Gramm Sabha, the role of Mukhia, empowerment of women representatives, the fund-positions-all analysed and examined in detail for further improvements and innovations. The power equations and their interactions provide interesting study in our research. This book provides latest update on the scenario of Panchyati Raj implementation, empowerment of women and development agenda working at the village level.