Role Of Panchayati Raj In Rendering Social, Political And Economic Justice: A Study Of Kuturachuan Gram Panchayat, Odisha Paper

Abstract

PanchayatiRajplaysavitalroleinIndian democracy. In Panchayati Raj systems,the Gram Panchayats are the units of administration.The people’s socio, political, and economic developmentat the grass-root level is realized throughPanchayatiRajSystem.It is not only improving the economic conditions of the people but also aims atdeveloping self-relianceamong them.It is seen in the olden days that people used to meet together to solve village problemsunder the leadership of village elders.This system reflected the spirit of participatory democracy.OurFatherof Nation,Mahatma Gandhi,advocated for ‘Gram Swaraj’or villageself-rule. The motto wasthedecentralization of powers. It is a well-known fact that Panchayats have existed in India fora long. During the Vedic period, Medieval Period,and In British rule,we witnessed localself-government. After independence,the draft Constitution added a mention of panchayat in Article 40 under Directive Principles of State Policy. The Community DevelopmentProgramsfor local developmentwasintroducedin 1950. After realizingthe poor function of the Community DevelopmentProgramby the study team under the chairmanship ofthe BalwantRaiMehtaCommittee,the Panchayati Raj system was launched in 1959.The 73rd amendment Act 1992comprisesprovisionsfor the devolution of powers.Decentralisation of power became tools to design many development plans and programmes for various grassroots level scheme. The Constitutional status clear the path of the Panchayati Raj system to improve the infracturer and implementation of developmental programmes for the needy rural and tribal areas. Sustainability and inclusivity in development of the people living below poverty line and marginally poor and as a result that the deram the Millennieum Development Goals can be achieved.