Grassroots democracy panchayati raj in Uttar Pradesh

Since gaining independence in 1947, the democratic system, with the exception of sometime, has always been functioning uninterruptedly. The success of democracy in any country cannot be accepted in the real and complete sense until there is a constitution of democratic bodies at the lowest level of that country. In 1992–1993, the 73rd constitutional amendment was made in the Indian Constitution. According to this amendment, a three--tier Panchayati Raj System was laid down. The District Panchayat, the Block Panchayat and at the lowest level of the democratic system, the Gram Panchayats were constituted. The central government made almost all necessary provi-sions at the Panchayat level under the Article 243 of the constitution. Even the provisions of reservations were made for the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes and the women. Simultaneously, the rights were given to the State legislative to ensure the provisions for the representatives of the backward class. The U.P. government, using its constitutional rights, gave new provisions for the representation of the backward classes, this in practice, brought new changes in the previous scene. In this research paper, there is an analysis and critical speculation on the new provisions for the backward class as made by the U.P. Government for Gram Panchayats; it also attempts to re-examine and reconsider the rights and functions of the office of Gram Pradhan in the changed scenario of the present times in the light of the government's new reservation policy.

“The local government is undoubtedly the oldest political structure in human history. Its simple reason is that man adapts to the highest form of rules and regulation and discipline only when he becomes accustomed to cohabit with his neighbours. In India, this form of gov-ernment, till date, has been weak and dysfunctional; its chief cause being its representational forms, financial feasibility and lack of functional ability. In view of all this, it is pertinent to reconsider the possibilities of the local government in India. In India, the task of the establishment of the local government had been completed in the year 1992 when the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Bill was passed”. The above para is an extract of the amendment, which was passed in 1992 and enforced in 1993. However, nobody was fully sure of the success of the local government, it was argued in its opposition that the con-cept of Panchayati Raj was a ‘‘momentary blaze” or it was a trick played by the ruling Congress Party, etc. Despite all this, the Amendment was passed by the consent of all political parties. Through this Amendment, 8 three-tier Panchayati System was envisioned, it was based on the recommendations of Balwant Rai Mehta, and it had the provisions of the Panchayati Raj System at the levels of village, block and the district.