Panchayat Raj System:Importance of Panchayat in Village Community & rural development

Rural development and the role of Panchayats in the development of the villages

Overall development of the country is the main objective of the Indian government since its independence. In the earlier Plans the main thrust for development was laid on Agriculture, Industry, Communication, Education, Health and Allied sectors but soon it was realized that the all-round development of the country is possible only through the development of rural India. Keeping this in view, Panchayati Raj Institutions have been introduced under the 73rd Amendment Act of the Constitution of India in 1992.

Village development includes measures to strengthen the democratic structure of society through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It also includes measures to improve the rural infrastructure, improve the income of rural households and delivery systems pertaining to education, health & safety mechanisms. The government of India has taken many steps to develop rural India and for this, Department of Rural Development has been set up under the control of the Ministry of Rural Development.

The Panchayats are expected to play an important role in rural development in India, particularly after independence. Five-year plans, especially the second five-year plan, laid special emphasis on the role of Panchayats in rural developments.

Here are the functions of Panchayati Raj in villages:

Empowering the rural population to participate in rural development programs for improving their quality of life.

Providing rural infrastructure and socio-economic growth opportunities for the poor people in rural areas.

Providing an opportunity for a rural livelihood.

Development of rural areas has a bearing on improved agricultural production and related economic activities, availability of natural and financial resources and their development, improvement of service delivery - paving way for improved human development.

The department is striving hard to improve the livelihood of the rural populace and to inculcate awareness in the economic, social and political spheres through effective implementation of decentralized administration and implementation of programmes decided particularly by the rural populace.