Impact of Panchayati Raj institutions on autonomy of villages in India

Panchayati System in India is one of the essential institutions that evolved in the country since Ancient Times. The word ‘Panchayat’ means governance by a ‘council by people of five’. The term ‘Panchayati Raj’ originated in British administration. It was a decentralized form of government where each village was responsible for its own affairs. This system of Panchayati Raj was adopted by Independent India in its 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which marked a new era in the democratic set up of the country as it created Panchayati Raj Institutions as tiers of self-governance. It envisages the establishment of a democratic decentralized development process through people's participation in decision-making, implementation and delivery. It was realized in 1990s that the programmes which were formed by the Government for reducing poverty and improving the condition of rural people, though seemed to be conceptually sound did not have the desired effect. In order to achieve the desired result, the Constitution provides for devolution of powers and responsibilities upon panchayats at appropriate levels. 29 Subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution have been identified for devolution to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. This paper primarily lays focus as to what impact has the Panchayat Raj Institutions have had in the country and to what extent has the government's decision of giving the Panchayat's a certain level of autonomy been successful.