Ashok Mehta Committee

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The Ashok Mehta Committee was a committee set up by the Government of India in 1978 to review the working of the Panchayati Raj system. The committee was headed by Ashok Mehta, a former Union Minister. The committee submitted its report in 1978.

The committee made a number of recommendations for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system. These recommendations included:

  • Devolving more powers and functions to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Providing adequate financial resources to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Making the Panchayati Raj institutions more accountable to the people.
  • Increasing the participation of women and other marginalized groups in the Panchayati Raj institutions.

The committee’s report was accepted by the government and a number of steps were taken to implement its recommendations. However, the implementation of the recommendations has been slow and uneven.

The Panchayati Raj system is a system of local self-government in India. It was established by the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution of India in 1992. The Panchayati Raj system consists of three tiers: the village panchayat, the block panchayat, and the district panchayat.

The village panchayat is the lowest tier of the Panchayati Raj system. It is responsible for the development and welfare of the village. The block panchayat is the intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system. It is responsible for the development and welfare of the block. The district panchayat is the highest tier of the Panchayati Raj system. It is responsible for the development and welfare of the district.

The Panchayati Raj system is a democratic system of local self-government. The members of the Panchayati Raj institutions are elected by the people. The Panchayati Raj institutions have the power to make decisions on a variety of issues, including development, welfare, and planning.

The Panchayati Raj system is an important part of the Indian democracy. It provides a platform for the people to participate in the decision-making process. It also helps to promote decentralization and accountability.

The Ashok Mehta Committee was a landmark committee that made a number of important recommendations for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system. The government has accepted the committee’s report and has taken some steps to implement its recommendations. However, the implementation of the recommendations has been slow and uneven. The Panchayati Raj system is an important part of the Indian democracy and it is essential that the government takes steps to strengthen it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Ashok Mehta Committee?
    The Ashok Mehta Committee was a committee set up by the Government of India in 1978 to review the working of the Panchayati Raj system. The committee was headed by Ashok Mehta, a former Union Minister. The committee submitted its report in 1978.

  2. What were the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee?
    The committee made a number of recommendations for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system. These recommendations included:

  • Devolving more powers and functions to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Providing adequate financial resources to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Making the Panchayati Raj institutions more accountable to the people.
  • Increasing the participation of women and other marginalized groups in the Panchayati Raj institutions.

  1. What has been the impact of the Ashok Mehta Committee’s report?
    The government has accepted the committee’s report and has taken some steps to implement its recommendations. However, the implementation of the recommendations has been slow and uneven.

  2. What are the challenges faced by the Panchayati Raj system?
    The Panchayati Raj system faces a number of challenges, including:

  • Lack of financial resources.
  • Lack of capacity.
  • Lack of political will.
  • Lack of participation of women and other marginalized groups.
  1. What are the steps that can be taken to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system?
    The Panchayati Raj system can be strengthened by taking a number of steps, including:
  • Providing adequate financial resources to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Building the capacity of the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • Increasing political will to support the Panchayati Raj system.
  • Increasing participation of women and other marginalized groups in the Panchayati Raj institutions.