Role of Panchayati Raj in Rendering Social, Political and Economic Justice: A Study of Kuturachuan Gram Panchayat, Odisha Paper

Abstract

Panchayati Raj plays a vital role in Indian democracy. In Panchayati Raj systems, the Gram Panchayats are the units of administration. The people’s socio, political, and economic development at the grass-root level is realized through Panchayati Raj System. It is not only improving the economic conditions of the people but also aims at developing selfreliance among them. It is seen in the olden days that people used to meet together to solve village problems under the leadership of village elders. This system reflected the spirit of participatory democracy. Our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, advocated for ‘Gram Swaraj’ or village self-rule. The motto was the decentralization of powers. It is a well-known fact that Panchayats have existed in India for a long. During the Vedic period, Medieval Period, and In British rule, we witnessed local self-government. After independence, the draft Constitution added a mention of panchayat in Article 40 under Directive Principles of State Policy. The Community Development Programs for local development was introduced in 1950. After realizing the poor function of the Community Development Program by the study team under the chairmanship of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, the Panchayati Raj system was launched in 1959. The 73rd amendment Act 1992 comprises provisions for 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.