Dr.

Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University

Lucknow,U.P.

SUBJECT: Law of Local Self Governance

(Synopsis)

TOPIC : Panchayti Raj in india : has it really worked?

Submitted to:
Mr. Mahendra Singh Paswan
Assistant Professor (Law)

Submitted By:
Ashish Kumar verma
Roll no. 38(IXth)semester

Research Methodology
The study of this project shall involve doctrinal research methodology.
a. Statement of Problem
The scholar wishes to undertake above mentioned study with

the help of various

amendments brought in by the aforesaid area. The entire analysis is through the bills,
the drafting and the standing committee report, the parliamentary debates and does a legal
evaluation of the entire legislation. The prime cause is the poor implementation of the
panchayati raj act . Despite the positives like enactment of State Panchayati Raj Acts,
Setting up of State Election Commission and State Finance Commissions, and holding of
regular Panchayat elections providing reservation for SCs/STs/Women in Panchayats, the
results of implementation of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 at the ground
level have fallen far short of expectations.
b. Hypothesis
To do a critical and analytical legal evaluation of the recent amendments.
c. Research Questions
1. Why the panchayti raj amendment was brought in 1973?

2. How were the issues resolved?

3. Is the situation any better than before or worse than it?
4 how the political and administrative will has affected the implementation of
panchyati raj amendment .

d. Aims and Objectives

This research is aimed at informing people about the circumstances that led to this
breakthrough legislation in 1973 law jurisprudence in India and how this could have far
reaching legal consequences than initially envisaged how far it is effective in achieving
desired result that were envisaged .
e. Sources
Study of this project will be done through books, articles, journals and internet database.
f. Mode of Citation
This project follows the uniform mode of citation.

Introduction
Panchayats have been the backbone of the Indian villages since the beginning of recorded
history. In 1946, Gandhi had aptly remarked that the Indian independence must begin at the
bottom and every village ought to be a Republic or a Panchayat with powers. His dream got
translated into reality with the introduction of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system to ensure
peoples participation in rural reconstruction. In India, the system of panchayats has a long
history. Its structure however varied from time to time. In village India, the concept of Panch
Parmeswar is very old and very prominent. We also find references of Gram Panchayat in
ancient and medieval literatures. As we know, India is a caste-ridden society. Along with
Gram Panchayats we also find Caste Panchayats in every caste to solve their social problems
like marital discord and disputes. During the British period, an effort was made to revive the
Village Panchayats but it could not make any success. The present Panchayati Raj system is
the result of the failure of the Community Development Projects (CDPs)a kernel
programme of rural development launched in 1952 as an arm of five-year plans. The two
successive plans had failed to not only produce desired results but also generate real
enthusiasm among the people. It was felt that the scheme of CDP failed because of the lack of
proper governance. Despite the positives like enactment of State Panchayati Raj Acts, Setting
up of State Election Commission and State Finance Commissions, and holding of regular
Panchayat elections providing reservation for SCs/STs/Women in Panchayats, the results of
implementation of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 at the ground level have
fallen far short of expectations. Some of these issues are like :

Unscientific distribution of functions:

Incompatible relation between the three-tiers:

Inadequate finance:

Lack of cordial relation between officials and people:

Lack of conceptual clarity:

Undemocratic composition of various Panchayati Raj institutions:

Disillusionment on structural-functional front:

Tentative Chapterisation
Chap 1. Introduction
Chap 2. Meaning of Decentralization
Chap 3. Evolution of Panchayati Raj System brief historical perspective.
Chap 4 issues and challenges
Chap 5. Power sharing or shredding
Chap 6. Local politician v bureaucrats
Chap 7. Governmental indifference
Chap 8. Integration of decentralization process and developmental needs
Chap9. Non functioning of gram sabha and non availability of reserved categories .
Chap10. Some highlights of amendment act 1993
Chap11. Conclusion
Chap12. Bibliography