India celebrated the 12th National Panchayati Raj day on 24th April 2021. The annual event not only honours the significance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) but also acknowledges and awards their exceptional performances. This year, the Prime Minister inaugurated the distribution of e-property cards under the SWAMITVA scheme.
A Brief History of National Panchayati Raj Day
The tradition of observing National Panchayati Raj Day started in 2010. Since then, it is celebrated on April 24th every year throughout India. This day puts a spotlight on the vital role of PRIs in rural development and democratic decentralization.
Awards Presented on National Panchayati Raj Day
On this day, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj recognises the outstanding work of the best performing Panchayats, States, and Union Territories (UTs). The awards are presented under various categories, including the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar, Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar, Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award, Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award, and e-Panchayat Puraskar. For the first time this year, the award money was transferred directly into the bank accounts of the awardee Panchayats.
Introduction to Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)
After the constitution was enacted, Article 40 mentioned panchayats, and Article 246 enabled state legislations related to local self-governance. PRI was established through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to promote local democracy and rural development. It represented a system of rural self-governance where local bodies, elected by local residents, manage local affairs.
Strengthening e-Governance in PRIs
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched eGramSwaraj, a user-friendly web-based portal aimed at improving e-governance across PRIs. By integrating planning, accounting and monitoring functions of Gram Panchayats, it provides easier reporting and tracking of their activities.
About the SVAMITVA Scheme
SVAMITVA is a collaborative initiative aimed at providing an integrated property validation solution for rural India. It involves mapping land parcels in rural inhabited areas using drone technology and continuously operating reference station (CORS). The mapping process will be carried out phase-wise across the country from 2020 to 2024.
Key Features of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment added Part IX titled “The Panchayats” to the Constitution, establishing a three-tier system of panchayats at the village, block and district levels. It introduced direct elections for all seats, reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), and one-third reservation for women. It also set a uniform five-year term for panchayats and mandated independent Election Commissions in each state.
Powers and Revenue Sources of Panchayats
Panchayats have been authorised to create plans for economic development and social justice. Their revenue sources include budgetary allocation from State Revenue, share of certain taxes and collection and retention of the revenue they generate.
Exemptions to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment does not apply to Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and certain other regions due to socio-cultural and administrative factors. However, the provisions of Part IX have been extended to Fifth Schedule areas through an Act called the Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.