Panchayats in India-Approaches and Ground Realities in a Historical Perspective

The panchayats have had a chequered history in the country. After fits and starts of establishing them during the British Period, they were set up in most parts of the country after Independence. The Panchayati Raj Institutions were on their ascendency during 1959-64, stagnated during 1965-69 and entered a phase of decline thereafter. The 73rd Constitution Amendment Bill passed in 1993 visualises the grant of powers and ensuring elections being held regularly. The Bill also gives authority to panchayats to undertake development programmes, provisions for grant-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India for the purpose, and setting up of State Finance Commissions every five years for providing funds to the panchayats.