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Context:
The passing of the 73rd amendment landmark in 1992 has enshrined the panchayati raj local self government in decentralized administration among other landmarks in India’s democratic path. There have been, however, threats in recent years to the panchayati raj system with the impetus of change in governance, economic policy, and urbanization. Thus, there is a need to reassess their functions in order to strengthen and protect the local self governments.
Current Achievements and Challenges
Achievements of the Panchayati Raj System
- Lively electoral engagement
- Panchayat elections fought fiercely.
- Empowerment of women through leadership
- There are nearly 14 lakh elected women representatives.
- Participation in social sector schemes
- Rollout of rural development schemes with the panchayats.
- State Finance Commissions (SFCs)
- Offers financial help to local bodies.
Systemic Challenges Weakening the Panchayat
- Loss of administrative decentralization
- Just 20% states have decentralized all 29 subjects in 11th Schedule.
- Tendency towards fiscal erosion of autonomy
- Reduction in untied grant (from 85% by 13th Finance Commission to 60% by 15th).
- Now it’s DBTisation
- Schemes like PM KISAN have been taken away from local institutions, therefore reducing accountability.
- Urbanization
- The basis for defining rural areas has also evolved, with the reduction in rural population (from 75% in 1990 to ~60% presently) bringing the focus of policies to municipal rule.
Measures to Rejuvenate Panchayati Raj
- Administrative Decentralization Strengthening
- Complete devolution of items in the 11th Schedule.
- Shifting of personnel and administrative authority from state governments to local authorities.
- Enhancing Financial Autonomy
- Increase untied grants for facilitating local choice.
- Increase sources of local revenue (property tax, fees for services, etc.).
- Cut the reliance on centrally sponsored schemes.
- Leverage Technology for Improved Governance
- Online platforms for citizen participation in planning and redressal of grievances.
- Use of GIS mapping for resource management (land, water conservation).
- Reimagining Panchayats for Contemporary Challenges
- Close rural urban migration gaps by supporting migrant workers and their families.
- Promoting renewable energy and water conservation projects at the community level.
- Disaster risk management through localized response systems.
Embracing and empowering decentralization, fiscal independence, and technological assimilation, thus empowering the panchayats, would make them responsive and effective in the governance system of India.
