Panchayati raj of Andhra Pradesh

Background

Before the formation of present Andhra Pradesh, in 1953, the pattern of local self-government was modeled on the one already operating in Madras and Hyderabad States under different Acts such as Madras District Boards Act, 1920, Madras Village Panchayats Act, 1950, Hyderabad District Board Act, 1951 and Hyderabad Village Panchayats Act, 1951, etc. In 1953, three types of rural local self-government institutions were existing in the State, namely, District Boards, Taluk Boards and Village Panchayats.

Andhra Pradesh has a long history of Panchayati Raj governance dating as far back as 1959. The Panchayati Raj System came into being in the State as a result of the report of the study team headed by Balawant Rai G. Mehta. Basing on the Balawant Rai G Mehta Committee Report, the State had adopted a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure, consisting of Gram Panchayati at bottom-tier, Panchayat Samithi at middle-tier and Zilla Parishad at top-tier. As such, Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Samities and Zilla Parishads Act, 1959 was passed and by the end of 1959, these statutory elected institutions had been established in all the districts.

Current status

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 has been passed by the parliament with a view mainly to strengthen and revitalize the Panchayati Raj bodies so that they can sub serve the needs of the teeming millions that live in rural areas. Prior to the Constitution Amendment, the Government has appointed an Expert committee on Panchayati Raj bodies headed by Sri. B.P. Vittal, I.A.S. to examine and submit a report on the reorganization of the Panchayati Raj set up and also on the re – organization of revenue set up below the district level.

During the Telugu Desam Government under the Chief Ministership of. N.T. Rama Rao, Andhra Pradesh Government brought about reforms in Panchayati Raj as well as revenue administration by introducing Mandal system, in order to achieve democratic Decentralization and to bring administration to the door step of the people. As such the earlier Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Samithis and Zilla Parishads Act, 1959 was replaced by the Andhra Pradesh Mandal Praja Parishads, Zilla Praja Parishads and Zilla Pranalika Abhirudhi Sameeksha Mandals Act, 1986 (Act No. 31 of 1986). According the three tier system comprises of Gram Panchayat, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads, came into force by replacing Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats and Zilla Parishads.

The present pattern of Panchayati Raj in the State is functioning under the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, which was enacted on 21st April of the same year in the Light of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993. The Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act 1994 has incorporated all the requirements of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution. It is a comprehensive legislation covering all the three – tiers of Panchayati Raj. In addition to reservation for the SCs, STs and Women provision is also made for the members of the backward communities.

At the present intermediate level, there are 1095 Mandal Parishads, each of which has a Population ranging from 35,000 to 55,000. At the apex of the ‘Panchayati Raj’ structure, there are 22 Zilla Parishads, each covering 50 Mandals on an Average and with an average population of 22 lakhs.

Zilla Parishads

The final tier of the Panchayat Raj system is the district council (Zilla Parishad) composed of members elected from Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (which are congruent to the mandal area). The ZP elects a president indirectly from amongst its members. Members of the Zilla Praja Parishad include – a member elected from territorial constituency, which is obviously a Mandal; a member of the legislative assembly of the State representing constituency, which forms part or whole of the district concerned; a member of the counsil of the State, who is a registered voter in the district; and two members each belonging to minorities and co-opted by the elected members of the Zilla Parishad.

Mandal Parishad

Above the GP is the Mandal Parishad (sub-district committee) comprising the area of around 20 GPs. The residents of Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC roughly corresponding to the Gram) elect members to a Mandal Parishad (MP). The MP members in turn elect a Mandal Parishad President (MPP) from amongst themselves. In contrast to GP Elections, political party competition is allowed at the MP level. In every Mandal head quarter, a Primary Health Centre, Veterinary Hospital, High School, Junior College, Police Station, Library and Market Yard be established, to provide all facilities to the people in one place.

Gram Panchayat

The Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh stand at the base of the three tier structure of local governance with the Zilla Parishad at the district level and the Mandal Parishad at the intermediate level. Andhra Pradesh comprises 23 districts including one urban district, namely, Hyderabad, covering 1091 mandals. Along with 22 Zilla Parishads, 1095 Mandal Parishads, there are 21, 895 Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh covering a population of 5,63,11,788 (2011 Census).

The Costal Andhra Pradesh region of the State is made of nine districts. It has a total of 8,909 Gram Panchayats in this region covering 40.69 per cent of the total Gram Panchayats in the State. In this region, Srikakulam district has the highest number of Gram Panchayats (1106), followed by Prakasam (1041), Guntur (1022), East Godavari (1011), Visakhapatnam (976), Krishna (973), Nellore (961), Vizianagaram (931) and West Godavari (888). Rayalaseema is made of four districts and this region has 4,131 Gram Panchayats (18.87 per cent). In this region, Chittoor district has highest number of Gram Panchayats (1399), followed by Anantapur (1005), Kumool (898) and Kadapa (829).

Gram Sabha

According to the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, every Gram Panchayat consists of two wings known as ‘Gram Sabha’ and Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat shall give due consideration to the suggestions, if any, of the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha consists of all persons whose names are included in the electoral rolls. The Gram Sabhas met atleast twice a year to consider the annual statement of accounts and audit, the report of the administration for the previous year, the programme of works for the ahead, and the proposals for fresh Taxation or for enhancement of existing taxes. The Sarpanch (President), or in his absence, the Up-Sarpanch (Vice-President) of the Gram Panchayat has to preside over the meeting.

Panchayati raj is the system of local self-government in India. It is a three-tier system consisting of gram panchayats (village councils), mandal panchayats (block councils), and zilla parishads (district councils).

The history of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh can be traced back to the early 1950s, when the State Government enacted the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1959. This act established a three-tier system of Panchayati raj institutions in the state.

The structure of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh is as follows:

Gram panchayats: The gram panchayat is the lowest tier of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh. It is a body of elected representatives from a village or group of villages. The gram panchayat is responsible for the development and management of the village.
Mandal panchayats: The mandal panchayat is the middle tier of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh. It is a body of elected representatives from a group of villages. The mandal panchayat is responsible for the development and management of the mandal (block).
Zilla parishads: The zilla parishad is the highest tier of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh. It is a body of elected representatives from the districts of the state. The zilla parishad is responsible for the development and management of the district.

The functions of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh are as follows:

Planning and implementation of development schemes
Maintenance of Law and Order
Collection of taxes and revenue
Provision of basic amenities such as water, sanitation, Education, and health
Promotion of agriculture and rural development
Empowerment of women and weaker sections of Society

The finance of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh is as follows:

The state government provides grants-in-aid to Panchayati raj institutions.
Panchayati raj institutions can raise revenue through taxes, fees, and other charges.
Panchayati raj institutions can borrow Money from banks and other financial institutions.

The role of women in Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh is as follows:

Women are elected to Panchayati raj institutions in large numbers.
Women play a significant role in the planning and implementation of development schemes.
Women are empowered through Panchayati raj institutions.

The challenges faced by Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh are as follows:

Lack of financial Resources
Lack of technical expertise
Lack of political will
Corruption
Social and cultural barriers

The reforms of Panchayati raj in Andhra Pradesh are as follows:

The state government has enacted the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2018. This act has made several reforms to the Panchayati raj system in the state.
The state government has also launched several schemes to strengthen Panchayati raj institutions.
The state government has also taken steps to increase the participation of women in Panchayati raj institutions.

Panchayati raj is an important institution of local self-government in India. It has played a significant role in the development of rural areas. However, it faces several challenges. The state government has taken steps to address these challenges. It is hoped that these reforms will help to strengthen Panchayati raj institutions and make them more effective in delivering development to rural areas.

What is Panchayati Raj?

Panchayati Raj is the system of local self-government in India. It is a three-tier system, with village panchayats at the village level, panchayat samitis at the block level, and zilla parishads at the district level.

What are the objectives of Panchayati Raj?

The objectives of Panchayati Raj are to:

Promote local self-government
Decentralize power
Ensure people’s participation in development
Promote Economic Development and social Justice

What are the features of Panchayati Raj?

The features of Panchayati Raj are:

It is a three-tier system
It is based on the principle of devolution of power
It is based on the principle of democratic decentralization
It is based on the principle of people’s participation
It is based on the principle of accountability

What are the benefits of Panchayati Raj?

The benefits of Panchayati Raj are:

It promotes local self-government
It decentralizes power
It ensures people’s participation in development
It promotes economic development and social justice
It improves the Quality Of Life of the people
It reduces corruption
It increases transparency

What are the challenges of Panchayati Raj?

The challenges of Panchayati Raj are:

Lack of financial resources
Lack of technical resources
Lack of human resources
Lack of political will
Lack of coordination between different tiers of Panchayati Raj
Lack of awareness among the people about Panchayati Raj

What are the reforms needed in Panchayati Raj?

The reforms needed in Panchayati Raj are:

Increase in financial resources
Increase in technical resources
Increase in human resources
Increase in political will
Improve coordination between different tiers of Panchayati Raj
Increase awareness among the people about Panchayati Raj

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of Panchayati Raj, without mentioning the topic of Panchayati Raj of Andhra Pradesh:

Which of the following is not a function of the Panchayati Raj?
(A) To prepare plans for economic development and social justice
(B) To maintain law and order
(C) To administer rural development programmes
(D) To mobilize and organize people for rural development
The Panchayati Raj system was introduced in India in the year:
(A) 1950
(B) 1956
(C) 1960
(D) 1970
The Panchayati Raj system is based on the principle of:
(A) Decentralization
(B) Deconcentration
(C) Delegation
(D) Devolution
The Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier system, consisting of:
(A) Gram Panchayats, Mandal Panchayats, and Zilla Parishads
(B) Gram Sabhas, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Parishads
(C) Gram Panchayats, Mandal Parishads, and Zilla Parishads
(D) Gram Sabhas, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Parishads
The Gram Sabha is the basic unit of the Panchayati Raj system. It consists of all the adult members of the village. The functions of the Gram Sabha include:
(A) To discuss the annual report and budget of the Gram Panchayat
(B) To elect the members of the Gram Panchayat
(C) To remove the members of the Gram Panchayat from office
(D) All of the above
The Mandal Panchayat is the intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system. It consists of elected representatives from the Gram Panchayats in the Mandal. The functions of the Mandal Panchayat include:
(A) To prepare plans for economic development and social justice
(B) To maintain law and order
(C) To administer rural development programmes
(D) To mobilize and organize people for rural development
The Zilla Parishad is the apex tier of the Panchayati Raj system. It consists of elected representatives from the Mandal Panchayats in the Zilla. The functions of the Zilla Parishad include:
(A) To prepare plans for economic development and social justice
(B) To maintain law and order
(C) To administer rural development programmes
(D) To mobilize and organize people for rural development
The Panchayati Raj system is a powerful tool for rural development. It has been successful in mobilizing and organizing people for rural development. It has also been successful in improving the quality of life in rural areas.
The Panchayati Raj system has faced some challenges. One of the challenges is the lack of financial resources. Another challenge is the lack of capacity of the Panchayati Raj institutions.
The Panchayati Raj system has the potential to be a powerful tool for rural development. However, it needs to be strengthened to overcome the challenges it faces.