Journal of Research in Peace, Gender and Development (ISSN: 2251-0036) Vol. 2(5) pp. 123-131, May 2012
Available online@ http://www.interesjournals.org/JRPGD
Copyright ©2012 International Research Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural DevelopmentPost 73rd Amendment Scenario
1
Gursharan Kaur and 2Paramjit Kaur Dhindsa
1
Junior Research Fellow, Punjab School of Economics Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2
Professor, Punjab School of Economics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Accepted 26 April, 2012
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has given a new dimension to the process of rural
development in India by providing reservation for SCs, STs and women in Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs). It has created a salient resolution in the country. The present study examines the impact of such
resolution on actual functioning of PRIs. For the purpose of the study primary data has been collected.
Out of 8 blocks of Amritsar district, one block has been selected. Further, out of 83 villages of selected
block 10 villages were selected. A convenient sample of 70 functionaries of PRIs and 50 beneficiaries
(villagers) were selected. Out of 70 functionaries, 45 were male panches/sarpanches and 25 were
women panches/sarpanches. The results of the study revealed that awareness level of respondents
about 73rd amendment act was dull and dismal. The women functionaries found to be more ignorant
about functioning of PRIs compared to male functionaries. The study also found that SCs, STs and
women in general playing no significant role in decision making process of panchayats. Except few
cases, their participation is only limited to giving their thumb expression/signatures on official
documents. The results also revealed that the constitutional body, Gram Sabha is virtually non-existent
in most of the cases thus defeating the basic purpose of bringing out direct democracy to grass-root
level. Still the politics is monopoly of well to do class, lower caste poor people acting as dummy
member to satisfy the institutional provisions. Thus study concludes that no significant impact of 73rd
amendment act has been found on Panchayati raj institutions.
Keywords: Rural Development, Women, Panchayti Raj Institutions.
INTRODUCATION
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India is a
homogenous effort for capacity building of rural people to
promote greater participation of them in their own
governance. Panchayats have been the backbone of
Indian villages since the beginning of recorded history.
They exist in the ancient India and functioned as an
effective instrument of people organization at grass-root
level. Even immediately before independence some
states enacted their panchayat act and constituted the
gram panchayat at village level. Prior to that, colonial
masters had made provision for district board and local
bodies as the unit of local self government for
governance of country (Mishra, 1996). Development in
*Corresponding
Author
sharan_sidhu8@yahoo.co.in
E-mail:
India can be meaningful only if these institutions help to
build capacity of villagers and they become its
beneficiaries. During the last six decade or so, the
transformation of rural areas has been considered to be
important objective of development planning in India. The
number of policies and programmes has been introduced
to build capacity of rural masses and raise the living
standards.
Decentralization
of
planning
and
administration is the accepted tool to achieve these
objectives. Panchayati raj institutions under decentralized
planning offer citizens living in rural areas a practical
opportunity to participate in decision making and planning
process, to engage with various development schemes
being implemented by government and interact with their
elected representatives directly to ensure that their
interest s are effectively served and their money properly
spent. Gandhi ji, the father of nation, in 1946 had aptly
remarked that the Indian independence must begin at the
124 J. Res. Peace Gend. Dev.
bottom and every village out be a republic and panchayts
having powers.
In 1959, the Balwantrai Mehta Committee suggested
that an agency should be set up at the village level which
would not only represent the interests of the village
community but would also take up the development
programmnes of the government at its level. The gram
panchayat which was to constitute this agency was,
therefore, perceived as an implementing agency of the
government in a specific, namely, developmental sphere.
In 1977, the Asoka Mehta Committee recommended a
fundamental change in this concept of panchayati raj. It
asked for transformation of the panchayat from an
implementing agency to a political institution (George
Mathew, 1995). In order to implement this recommendation the need for constitutional amendment
was felt. It, however, took more than a decade for the first
step in this direction to be taken in the form of the 64th
Constitution Amendment Bill which was defeated in Rajya
Sabha. In 1992, legislation, the 73rd Amendment Bill was
introduced in parliament which adopted it in the same
year. It was only in 1992 that parliament gave
constitutional status to panchayati raj. On December 22
and 23 1992, two amendments to the constitution- the
73rd amendment for rural local bodies and the 74th
constitutional amendment for urban local bodies made
them ‘institutions of self government’. Within a year
following this all the states passed their own acts in
conformity with the amended constitutional provisions.
As a consequence India has moved towards what has
been described as ‘multilevel federalism’, which has
widened the democratic base of the Indian polity
(Mathew, 2003). Gandhi ji’s dream has been translated
into reality with the introduction of the three- tier
panchayati raj system to ensure people’s participation in
rural reconstruction. The important features of this act
are:
1. A three-tier structure of panchayat raj for all the
states having population of over 20 lakh.
2. Panchayati raj elections regularly every 5 years.
3. Reservation of seats to for Schedule Caste, Schedule
Tribes and Women not only in membership of
panchayats but
also for post of chairpersons.
4. Disqualification of members of panchayats.
5. Direct election of members of Panchayat.
6. Indirect election of chairperson of intermediate and
district-level panchayats.
7. Constitution of an independent Finance Commission
with a provision to place its report before the State
Legislature and
8. Conduct of local elections by an independent state
level Election Commission.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has given a new
dimension to the process of rural development in India by
providing reservation for SCs, STs and women in
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). While reservation for
SCs and
STs are in place in other elected bodies (national and
rd
state legislative assemblies), the 73 amendment is the
first one in India that mandated women’s reservation, and
this made it a lend mark piece of legislation. It has
created a salient resolution in the country. However, the
reservation can only be regarded as the first step in this
direction. It is necessary to create proper social,
economic and political conditions to enable SCs, STs and
women to participate effectively in local government
institutions (Mahanty Bidyout, 1995).
Keeping this in mind present study examined the impact
of 73rd amendment act on marginal group and women.
Objectives of the Study
The present study is based on the following objectives.
1. To examine the functioning of panchyati raj
institutions.
2. To assess the impact of 73rd amendment act on rural
society particularly on the marginal group and women.
3. To study the knowledge, intensity of participation and
performance of elected leaders.
4. To know about the perception of villagers regarding
the working of PRIs.
5. To study the various problems faced by these
institutions and make suggestions for the efficient
working of PRIs.
DATABASE AND METHODOLOGY
For purpose of present study primary data has been
collected from Amritsar district of Punjab. Out of 8 blocks
under Amritsar district, one block i.e. Jandiala Guru has
been selected. There has been 83 villages under
Jandiala Guru Block, 10 were selected. A schedule was
especially designed for the purpose of the study. A
convenient sample of 70 functionaries of PRIs and 50
beneficiaries (villagers) were selected. Out of 70
functionaries, 45 were male panches/sarpanches and 25
were women panches/sarpanches. 50 beneficiaries were
randomly selected 5 from each village to judge the
performance/working of PRIs. Simple percentage method
has been used for data analysis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio-Economic Profile
The description of leadership pattern can only be offered
by making a close study of the background and
environment in which they grow-up. The socio-economic
background of leaders is important to study because it
significantly affects their thinking, aspiration and effective
functioning as a leader in Panchayati raj institutions. The
Kaur and Dhindsa 125
Table 1. Socio-Economic Characteristics of Respondents
Variable
Age (Years)
Education
Marital status
Caste
Economic
status
Characteristics
Less than 30
30-40
40-50
50-60
60 and above
Total
Illiterate
Below Matriculation
Matriculation and above
Graduation and above
Total
Married
Unmarried
Total
General
SC
BC
Total
Large land holding
Small land holding
Land less poor
Other profession
Total
socio- economic background of women leaders was
analyzed with such indicators as age, education, marital
status, caste and economic status.
The socio-economic status is considered as important
criterion by voters. Age has been important factor in
determine the leadership as it epitomizes experience,
maturity and equanimity of mind. No doubt 73rd
constitutional Amendment Act reduced the age from 25 to
21 years for getting elected to grassroots level bodies i.e.
the village Panchayat. But still no one come from this age
group. The results of the study show that majority of
respondents were middle aged indicating that age of the
respondents lies between 40 to50 years. The education
is also important quality of leader. It is important to
understand the issues and problems faced by the
community and ability to communicate one’s idea to
other. The results revealed that 17.78 percent male
leaders and 36 percent of female leaders were illiterate.
Rest of respondents was literate, have either below
matric or above matric education while few of them were
graduate. As far the marital status is concerned, majority
of respondents were married.
Caste has been one of the basic features of the Indian
society since earliest times. It is most often based on the
ritual status as perceived and practiced by local people
(Srinivas, 1962). The people belonging to higher caste
have usually been found elected in these grassroot level
Male
2(4.44)
12 (26.67)
20(44.44)
8(17.78)
3(6.67)
45(100)
8(17.78)
22(48.89)
13(28.89)
2(4.44)
45(100)
42(93.33)
3(6.67)
45(100)
23(51.11)
21(46.67)
1(2.22)
45(100)
12(26.67)
11(24.44)
17(37.78)
5(11.11)
45(100)
Female
8(32)
12(48)
2(8)
3(12)
25(100)
9(36)
8(32)
7(28)
1(4)
25(100)
25(100)
25(100)
12(48)
9(36)
4(16)
25(100)
8(32)
4(16)
10(40)
3(12)
25(100)
Total
2(2.86)
20(28.57)
32(45.71)
10(14.29
6(8.57)
70(100)
17(24.28)
30(42.86)
20(28.57)
3(4.29)
70(100)
67(95.71)
3(4.29)
70(100)
35(50)
30(42.86)
5(7.14)
70(100)
20(28.57)
15(21.43)
15(21.43)
20(28.57)
70(100)
rd
institutions before the enactment of 73 Constitutional
Amendment. But 73rd amendment guarantee reservation
to dalits including Dalit women to have entry in grass
root level politics. The results of table.1 shows
that in case of male leaders the 51.11 percent of
respondents belong to general category and 46.67
percent from SC category whereas only 2.22 percent
belong to Backward Class. While in case of female
leaders 48 percent respondents’ belong to general
category, 16 percent from SC category and 36 percent
of respondents were from BC. Thus the result
depicts that 73rd amendment brought structural change
in power hierarchy at village level by providing space
to marginalized caste group in society. The people
with better economic status have more influence in
rural politics from ancient times and politics is monopoly
of well to do class. This tradition has been replaced
by 73rd Amendment Act, which gives opportunity to
weaker section of the society. The results revealed
that 28.57 percent of respondents have large land
holding, 21.43 percent respondents have small
land holding. While 11.43 percent respondents
have some other profession like shopkeeper, agriculture
labourer etc. whereas 38.57 percent of them
were landless poor. It is to mention here that in case
of female leaders the economic status was judged
on occupation of Husband/ elder son.
126 J. Res. Peace Gend. Dev.
Table 2. Political linkage of respondents
Variable
Political linkage
Experience
Characteristics
Link with political party
No link
Total
Past experience as Panch/Sarpanch
No past experience
Total
Male
40(88.89)
5(11.11)
45(100)
22(48.89)
23(51.11)
45(100)
Female
19(76)
6(24)
25(100)
5(20)
20(80)
25(100)
Total
59(84.29)
11(15.71)
70(100)
27(38.57)
43(61.43)
70(100)
Table 3. Awareness level of Respondents
Variable
About 73rd amendment
About reservation
About 3tier system
About gram panchayat
About its powers and function
About number of meeting per annum
Minimum attendance needed in each meeting
Maximum time limit for elections
Minimum age for voting
About current welfare schemes
About various committees framed by Panchayats
About sources of revenue
Particular
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Male
12(26.67)
33(73.33)
45(100)
40(88.89)
5(11.11)
45(100)
30(66.67)
15(33.33)
70(100)
42(93.33)
3(6.67)
45(100)
28(62.22)
17(37.78)
45(100)
25(55.56)
20(44.44)
45(100)
26(57.78)
19(42.22)
45(100)
45()
45(100)
45(100)
45(100)
40(88.89)
5(11.11)
45(100)
39(86.67)
6(13.33)
45(100)
35(77.78)
10(22.22)
45(100)
Female
2(8)
23(92)
25(100)
16(64)
9(36)
25(100)
3(12)
22(88)
25(100)
12(48)
13(52)
25(100)
4(16)
21(84)
25(100)
2(8)
23(92)
25(100)
1(4)
24(96)
25(100)
25()
25(100)
25(100)
25(100)
18(72)
7(28)
25(100)
4(16)
21(84)
25(100)
5(20)
20(80)
25(100)
Total
14(20)
56(80)
70(100)
56(80)
14(20)
70(100)
33(47.14)
37(52.86)
70(100)
54(77.14)
16(22.86)
70(100)
32(45.71)
38(54.29)
70(100)
27(38.57)
43(61.43)
70(100)
27(38.57)
43()
70(100)
70(61.43)
70(100)
70(100)
70(100)
58(82.86)
12(17.14)
70(100)
43(61.43)
27(38.57)
70(100)
40(57.14)
30(42.86)
70(100)
Kaur and Dhindsa 127
Political linkage
A family is considered as the first school of socialization,
which initiated a child to belief, opinion, attitude, norms,
values, value orientations and behavior expectation in a
society. An individual acquires political values, develops
political attitudes and his/her political knowledge through
various socialization agents like family, peer group,
schools, mass-media and political parties (Giovanni,
1972). Having direct family links with some political party
may ensure better awareness level or leadership pattern
among individuals.
The results of table 2 revealed that majority of
respondents have link with some political party. It to
mention here that in case of women link with political
party was through male member of family. As far political
experience is concerned, in case of male near about half
of
respondents
have
past
experience
as
Panch/Sarpench. While majority of women was first time
in politics.
area. The results revealed that all the respondents were
aware about tenure of elections as for 5 year and
minimum voting age as for elections. Majority of
respondents were also aware about various government
schemes implemented in study area. It was also found
that most of the male respondents were aware about
various committees framed by gram panchayat and
various sources of revenue of panchayat. But women
leaders were more ignorant about this.
If we made gender-wise analysis, results revealed that
women awareness/knowledge level was poor as
compared to male leaders. As far male members were
concerned, it was observed that male leaders from sound
economic background were more aware as compared to
poor/landless leaders. The poor leaders join the politics
only because of reservation, actual functioning of
panchayats was in hands of economically sound exsarpanch.
Intensity of Participation
Awareness
Having awareness of political system is important index
of political leadership. Awareness make first step in
process of social change. Political awareness is related
to one’s knowledge about political system, its structure,
functions and goals. Government introducing the
reservation policy for women could be an important
initiative of awareness, for maximizing the role,
responsibilities and participation of women in gram
panchayat.
The results of table 3 revealed that awareness of
respondents about 73rd amendment was very poor. Only
few educated respondents heard about this. As regard
reservation majority of male respondents were aware
while female leaders only heard about reservation but did
not have clear idea about percentage of reservation. The
study also found that only 47.14 percent of respondents
have knowledge about 3-tier system. It was noticed that
female respondents were more unaware than male
respondents about 3-tier system. As far power and
functions of panchayati raj was concerned, only 37.78
percent respondents were fully aware about its powers
and functions, rest of respondents were not aware. It has
been noticed that SC/BC respondents were less aware
than respondents of general category. It was also
observed that SC/BC respondents contest elections only
because of reservation but powers are enjoyed by the
general category ex-sarpanch.
The results of the study revealed that respondents
were not aware about number of gram sabha meetings
per annum and minimum attendance needed in each
meeting. It has been noticed that in most of the cases
gram sabha is virtually non-existent thus defeating the
basic purpose of bringing out direct democracy to rural
The 73rd amendment has created space for scheduled
caste, schedule tribes and women in political participation
and decision making at grass-root level. It is expected
that reservation in grass-root politics will provide them an
opportunity to raise their grievances and other related
social economic problem in formal forum. The results of
table 4 show that male leaders were more active in
attending the meetings of gram panchayat as compared
to female leaders. In case of female leaders their
husband/father in law/ son participates in meetings on
their behalf. It has been noticed that female leaders feel
shy to even sit in panchayat meetings in front of male
members.
As far as participation in decision making is concerned
it has been noticed that if there are 6 members of
panchayat, only 2-3 members and sarpanch take all the
decision. The participation of other members was only
limited to giving their thumb expression/signature on the
official documents. In case of female leaders the
participation was also very poor. It is to mention here that
if at night any emergency arises, women’s are not
supposed to move out of their house. Even in some
cases, they were not permitted by their family to move
out even in day time to settle any dispute in the village.
Their husband/father-in-law/son does job on their behalf.
Such situations prevent them from assuming active role
in panchayats even if they wanted to do. It was found that
40 percent of respondents did not interact with officials.
Economically week respondents report that they have to
spend lot of money out of their pocket to visit offices and
on hospitality of visiting officials. They cannot afford such
expenses because of this reason their participation is not
active. The female respondents report that it does not
look nice for women belonging to a respectable family to
move out of house with another man and meet officials
128 J. Res. Peace Gend. Dev.
Table 4. Intensity of Participation
Variables
Attending meetings
Participation in decision making
Interaction with other members
Interaction with officials
Discussion of village issues with
villagers
Participation in identification of
beneficiaries
Participation in identification of
sources of revenue to meet
financial needs
Characteristics
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
Regular
Occasional
Never
Total
for any work. Few women report that they did not have
time for panchayat activities out of their household work.
Despite of these constraints, few educated women
leaders were very active and committed in discharging
their responsibilities as village head.
It was noticed that factors like education, economic
status, knowledge and experience helped them in
discharging their duties efficiently.
Performance
The performance indicators are of extreme importance to
any organization in achieving its strategic goals,
objectives, vision and values. The responsibility and
function of a sarpanch is to make efforts for overall
development of village community and maintenance of
community assets.
The results of table 5 show that all the village
panchayats working well on above mentioned activities.
But gram sabha meetings were not conducted as per
schedule.
Male
5(11.11)
25(55.56)
15(33.33)
45(100)
22(48.89)
18(40)
5(11.11)
45(100)
16(35.56)
27(60)
2(4.44)
45(100)
8(17.78)
31(68.89)
6(13.33)
45(100)
3(6.67)
37(82.22)
5(11.11)
45(100)
10(22.22)
28(62.22)
7(15.56)
45(100)
8(17.78)
25(55.55)
12(26.67)
45(100)
Female
7(28)
18(72)
25(100)
2(8)
8(32)
15(60)
25(100)
4(16)
5(20)
16(64)
25(100)
3(12)
22(88)
25(100)
2(8)
23(92)
25(100)
2(8)
4(16)
19(76)
25(100)
1(4)
24(96)
25(100)
Total
5(7.14)
32(45.72)
33(47.14)
70(100)
24(34.29)
26(37.14)
20(28.57)
70(100)
20(28.57)
32(45.72)
18(25.71)
70(100)
8(11.43)
34(48.57)
28(40)
70(100)
3(4.29)
39(55.71)
28(40)
70(100)
12(17.14)
32(45.72)
26(37.14)
70(100)
8(11.43)
26(37.14)
36(51.43)
70(100)
The performance of village leaders can be best
imagined through perception of villagers.
Perception of villagers
The present study has also examined the people’s
perception about functions of Panchayati raj programmes
and their assessment regarding the working of
panchayati raj system. The total of 50 respondents from
10 villages was interviewed. The majority of respondents
approach the village panchayat with any problem and
village leaders listen to their problems. But few
respondents told that since they belong to opposite party
and sarpanch of the village belong to ruling party. He did
not listen to our problems because we belong to opposite
party. The respondents also report that rich and
influential people get benefit of various schemes. One
respondent reported that benefit of major poverty
alleviation schemes also go to those people who are kith
and kins of panchayat members or sarpanch. Another
respondent reported that “sarpanch did not listen to our
problems because we did not vote for him”. It has come
Kaur and Dhindsa 129
Table 5. Performance
Variable
Work on rural housing
Work on electrification
Work on education
Work on health
Work on
sanitation
water
and
The laying out of new
roads,
pathway
and
maintenance of existing
one.
Cleaning of public roads,
drains, wells and other
public places
The construction, repair
and
maintenance
of
public
places
and
building of utilities under
its control.
Conducting gram sabha
meetings as per schedule
Successfully
executed
rural development and
poverty
alleviation
programmes
Response
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Male
43(95.56)
2(4.44)
45(100)
22(48.89)
23(51.11)
45(100)
44(97.78)
1(2.22)
45(100)
43(95.56)
2(4.44)
45(100)
26(57.78)
19(42.22)
45(100)
15(33.33)
30(66.67)
45()
Female
24(96)
1(4)
25(100)
16(64)
9(36)
25(100)
23(92)
2(8)
25(100)
24(96)
1(4)
25(100)
14(56)
11(44)
25(100)
9(36)
16(64)
25(100)
Total
67(95.71)
3(4.29)
70(100)
38(54.29)
32(45.71)
70(100)
67(95.71)
3(4.29)
70(100)
3(4.29)
67(95.71)
70(100)
40(57.14)
30(42.86)
70(100)
24(34.29)
46(65.71)
70(100)
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
13(28.89)
32(71.11)
45(100)
10(22.22)
35(77.78)
45(100)
11(44)
14(56)
25(100)
9(36)
16(64)
25(100)
24(34.29)
46(65.71)
70(100)
19(27.14)
51(72.86)
70(100)
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
45(100)
45(100)
40(88.89)
5(11.11)
45(100)
25(100)
25(100)
21(84)
4(16)
25(100)
70(100)
70(100)
61(87.14)
9(12.86)
70(100)
problems because we did not vote for him”. It has come
to our notice that people were totally unaware about gram
sabha meetings. Most of the respondents reported that
there is improvement in performance of village schools
and primary health centre after the supervision is given to
PRIs.
Problems
The majority of respondents reported the problem of lack
of sufficient funds. Most of panchayats for their financial
resources depends upon grants-in-aid of state
government; some panchayats did not have their own
financial resources like panchayat land holding, shops
etc. so they depend on state government grants. Due to
poor financial condition of government they did not get
sufficient funds. But even if grant is sanctioned to
panchayats, delivery system is so uncertain, irregular and
inadequate. . Another source of finance of PRIs is MPs
and MLAs fund. The fund distributed by MLAs and MPs
from their local area development fund is on the basis of
political consideration rather than rational basis of local
needs of panchayat. So there is no scientific criterion
how to distribute the funds. Another problem reported by
respondents is corruption. The results of above table 6
show that 81.34 percent sarpanches described corruption
as major problem in the way of their smooth functioning
because no work can be done without bribing the
officials.
Another glaring problem eclipsing the smooth working
process of PRIs is unnecessary and undesired political
130 J. Res. Peace Gend. Dev.
Table 6. Problems faced by panchayat functionaries
Problems
Lack of sufficient funds
Corruption
Political interference
Bureaucratic interference
Responses
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
Yes
No
Total
interference. In this context opposite group tend to use
political connection to disrupt the working of panchayati
raj institutions. One leader said that “we belong to
Congress party and ruling party is Akali Dal, both MLA
and MP of their area belong to ruling party, so opposite
group in village use their power to disrupt the working of
panchayat. So it becomes difficult for them to perform
their duties as village head”. One of the other major
problems being faced by panchayati raj leader is
undesired Bureaucratic interference which begins with
Panchayat Secretary. No work can be done without
sweet will of officials like BDO, DDPO. In most of the
cases they seek bribe. It has also been noticed that
sarpanch of majority of villages were not well educated.
The Panchayat Secretary who is appointed for maintence
of accounts teaches Corruption tricks to sarpanch.
Major Findings
Major findings of the study are summarized as:
rd
The awareness level of respondents about 73
amendment was dull and dismal.
There is ineffective participation of women in
panchayat functions.
The SCs, STs and women in general playing no
significant role in decision making process in panchayat
meetings.
There is no significant change in leadership pattern
rd
since the implementation of 73
constitutional
amendment act except SCs STs and women become
sarpanch but their participation in actual functioning is
dull and dismal.
The constitutional body, Gram Sabha is virtually nonexistent in most of the cases thus defeating the basic
purpose of bringing out direct democracy to grass-root
level. Still the politics is monopoly of well to do class,
lower caste poor people acting as dummy member to
satisfy the institutional provisions.
Male
40(88.89)
5(11.11)
45(100)
38(84.44)
7(15.56)
45(100)
41(91.11)
4(8.89)
45(100)
39(86.67)
6(13.33)
45(100)
Female
22(88)
3(12)
25(100)
19(76)
6(24)
25(100)
20(80)
5(20)
25(100)
18(72)
7(28)
25(100)
Total
62(88.57)
8(11.43)
70(100)
57(81.43)
13(18.57)
70(100)
61(87.14)
9(12.86)
70(100)
57(81.43)
13(18.57)
70(100)
Suggestions
Following suggestions can go a long way for better
functioning of panchayati raj institutions.
1. Orientation cum training programmes for panchayat
members especially for women should be encouraged.
These programmes must be conducted near their villages
so that economically poor people can also participate in
these training programmes.
2. Gram sabha meetings should be regularly conducted
and supervised by panchayat officials so that awareness
among the villager about on-going activities of panchayat
can be created.
3. The SC/STs women are found to be unaware about
activities of panchayat. It should be the duty of panchayat
officials to make panchayat leaders aware about various
activities of panchayat.
4. The financial aid to panchayats should be regular.
The villages should be classified into developed,
developing and underdeveloped categories using some
measurable criterion. Village classification will help to
identify the villages which need more investment.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that there is no substantial impact of
73rd amendment act on marginal group and women. As
per statuary requirements, now at least one third of total
panches/sarpanches are SC/STs and women. But except
few cases, their participation is limited to giving their
thumb expression/signature on official documents. So
participation alone is not enough but the participation has
to be effective. Effectiveness will come only when there is
awareness. There is need to build the capacity and
capability of the elected representative so that they can
play meaningful role in panchayats.
Kaur and Dhindsa 131
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