Panchayati Raj Day: Nation celebrates rural development

The country celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24 to mark the significance of the decentralisation of political authority to a fundamental governmental body.

Organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the day symbolises the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force from April 24, 1993, which institutionalised Panchayati Raj through village, intermediate and district-level panchayats.

Panchayati Raj helps in easing the overall development of rural areas and increasing their ability to operate as self-governing units.

Panchayats existed in India prior to British rule as institutions that had distinct and well-defined responsibilities. They not only represent the collective will but also the collective wisdom of the entire rural community.

The three tiers of the panchayat, namely Village Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad ensure effective implementation and coordination of various rural activities, according to the budget allocated by the central government.

Every year, the ministry felicitates the 170 Panchayati Raj Institutions, comprising the three-tier panchayats with the 'Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar' for exemplary work under the Panchayat Empowerment Accountability Incentive Scheme. The best performing gram panchayats will be granted the 'Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar' along with the winners of 'Rashtriya e-Panchayat Puraskar'.

There will also be a conference held throughout the day at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, with around 1,500 delegates discussing topics like 'Gram Sabha' and 'People's Participation', devolution of the 3Fs i.e. funds, functions and functionaries, issues related to women and rural development among others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mandla in Madhya Pradesh to launch the 'Rashtriya Gramin Swaraj Abhiyan' and addressed Panchayati Raj representatives from across the country, according to the Press Information Bureau. He unveiled a road map for the all-round development of tribals during the next five years and a local government directory.