Achievements of the Panchayati Raj System in India

 

In India, the Panchayati Raj generally refers to the system of local self-government in India introduced by a constitutional amendment in 1992, although it is based upon the traditional panchayat system of the Indian subcontinent.

 

What steps have been taken for the betterment of villages?

 

Steps Taken for the Betterment of Villages

 

A number of steps have been taken by the government to improve the conditions of villages such as:

1. The abolishment of the zamindari system which was introduced by Cornwallis in 1793 in the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and Varanasi. It was also known as the Permanent Settlement Act. Who was Cornwallis?

 

Charles Cornwallis was a British army officer, civil administrator, and diplomat.

 

2. After Independence, India launched its First Five Year Plan in 1951, under the socialist influence of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

 

3. Another step was to provide water for irrigation through canals, tube wells, and river valley projects.

 

4. Better seeds, fertilizers, and new implements for farming.

 

5. Great emphasis is laid on the spread of education.

 

6. Government has declared primary education free and compulsory for children all over the country.

 

7. Night schools for adults.

 

8. Some efforts have been made to open secondary and senior secondary schools in some big villages.

 

9. Primary Health Centres have been opened in many villages which are run by qualified doctors.

 

10. In order to remove the backwardness of the villagers, many community development programs have also been launched.

 

Other than all these steps, there are some more improvements that have been introduced by the government, for example, electricity to most of the villages, solar energy, biogas, pucca roads to connect with towns and cities, post offices, banks, etc.

The government has also started co-operatives in order to uplift the economy. Cottage and small-scale industries like poultry farming, bee-keeping, fishing, etc. are also being encouraged.

 

What are the main achievements of the Panchayati Raj System in India?

 

Following are the achievements of the Panchayati Raj:

 

• The political awareness among rural people as they are now involved in the election and selection process of the Panchayat members and taking part in decision making.
• The improved conditions of the villages through welfare activities such as the supply of clean drinking water, sanitation, cleanliness, etc.
• Panchayats are now able to draw the attention of government officials to their problems.

 

The State Government and the Panchayati Raj System in India

 

More power has been given to the Village Panchayats by the Constitution of India. It has been directed that regular elections to the panchayats should be held every five years and so, State Election Commission has been formed. The government has reserved 33% of seats in panchayats for women and it also gives financial grants to the Panchayati Raj system.

 

• The State government formulates the rules and regulations regarding the functioning of the Panchayati Raj system.
• The State government works for the success of the Panchayati Raj system.
• It also provides grants for the Panchayati Raj system in a state.
• It has the power to dissolve a panchayat if it is not functioning properly.
• Hence, the State government keeps a strict watch on the working of the Panchayati raj institutions.

 

But who represents the state government at the district level?

 

The Collector (District Magistrate) or the Deputy Commissioner represents the state government at the district level. He coordinates the work of the government officers of the district and the Panchayati Raj. The Block Development Officer (BDO) does the same work at the block level.

 

After all these efforts, most of our villagers are still poor and illiterate. So, it is essential that the State government keep strict control over this system.

 

Panchayati Raj System in India - Questions

1. Regular elections to the panchayats are held after every ____ years.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5

 

2. Which of the following is not a welfare activity?
a. Supply of clean drinking water
b. Sanitation
c. Sitting facilities
d. Public functions

 

3. How many seats are reserved for women in panchayats?
a. Two-thirds
b. 10%
c. Half
d. 33%

 

4. Who has the power to dissolve a panchayat?
a. Pradhan
b. Block Pramukh
c. Block Development Officer
d. State Government

 

5. Who represents the state government at the district level?
a. Block Development Officer
b. District chairperson
c. High Court
d. Deputy Commissioner

 

Questions:

 

1. The zamindari system was also called __________.
a. Zamindari Act
b. Temporary Settlement Act
c. Ruling Government Act
d. Permanent Settlement Act

 

2. When was the first five-year plan of India launched?
a. 1947
b. 1948
c. 1950
d. 1951

 

3. _____ have been started for adults.
a. Primary schools
b. Secondary schools
c. Senior secondary schools
d. Night schools

 

4. Who introduced the zamindari system?
a. Mahatma Gandhi
b. Sir John Marshall
c. Mughals
d. Cornwallis

 

5. Which of the following statement is not correct?
a. Primary Health Centres have been opened by the government.
b. Night schools for adults have been started.
c. Community development programs have been launched.
d. A minimum amount of fees has been fixed for government schools.

 

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