National Panchayati Raj Day: celebrating the victory for rural development

National Panchayati Raj Day: celebrating the victory for rural development

Every year, 24th April is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day in India to celebrate a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. This day, the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of the act 1992 had passed, and it came into effect from April 24, 1993. In the history of democratic India, the 73rd Amendment Act is defined as an important act as, it permits states to take decisions to organize village panchayats and provide them with necessary powers and authority and facilitate them to function as units of self-government.

Though the Panchayati Raj Institutions have been in power for a long time but, these institutions have not been able to get dignity as viable and responsive people's bodies due to the pitfalls in administration and management like irregular elections, inadequate devolution of powers, lack of financial resources, lengthy super sessions and representation of weaker sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 vested constitutional status on Panchayati Raj institutions. The impact of the 73rd Amendment in rural India is wonderful as it has changed power equations irreversibly. To make this day memorable, the Government of India decided in consultation with the States to celebrate 24th April as National Panchayati Raj Day. The National Panchayati Raj Day celebration was started 2010 with the first National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April 2010. This day is also celebrated as a Good Governance Day for Panchayats and Samitis. Every year, on this day, Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj organizes National Conference and provide numerous awards to the well performing Gram Panchayats.

Greeting all those working to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions in the country!