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.