Karnataka Panchayat Raj

The Panchayats are among the oldest institutions for local governance in rural Karnataka. This long standing system of local governance is also known as Panchayat Raj (which means rule of village committee). Panchayat Raj ensures proper execution of rural development programmes. It encourages participation of general people in the development programmes.

Structural of Karnataka Panchayat Raj

Panchayat Raj in Karnataka follows a three tier structural constitution. It has elected bodies at each level. Panchayat Raj constitutes of:

The Gram Panchayats at the village level
The Taluk Panchayats at the sub-district (taluk) level
The Zilla Panchayats at the district level

Karnataka has 30 Zilla Panchayats, 176 Taluk Panchayats, and 5,659 Grama Panchayats. All the three units of the Panchayat Raj have members directly elected by the people. The government does not have any provision to nominate representatives to any of these institutions.

Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 aims to achieve democratic Decentralization especially for the rural areas. Karnataka enacted the new Panchayat Raj Act incorporating all the mandatory provisions of 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution.

The objectives of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 are:

Establish a three-tier structure for panchayat system at village, sub-district and district levels
Elect members to the three tiers through direct election at all levels
Elect Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons through indirect Elections.

Reserve seats for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and Women at all the three levels
Conduct elections to all the three levels under the State Election Commission
Empower State Finance Commission to determine the sharing of funds between the State Government and the Panchayat Raj bodies.
Maintain accounts and conduct audits at all the three tiers of the panchayat system.

Gram Panchayat

The Gram Panchayat is the basic or lowest level of Panchayat Raj in Karnataka. It has jurisdiction over a group of villages. Gram panchayat represents an assembly of the village elders who are directly elected by the citizens of the village. This panchayat unit is headed by a chairperson who is known as Sarpanch.

The representatives of the Gram Panchayats are elected for five years. While the members are directly elected from wards, the Sarpanch is elected by the members. There are seats reserved for women, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Gram Panchayats.

Functions of Gram Panchayat

The Gram Panchayat has to perform the following functions:

Provide sanitary latrines to at least one-tenth of the households every year
Construct and maintain sufficient community latrines for use by men and women
Maintain water supply works on its own or through annual contract
Revise and collect taxes, rates and fees at fixed periods
Ensure enrolment of children in primary school
Ensure immunisation of children
Confirm swift registration and report of births and deaths
Provide sanction for proper drainage
Construct, repair and maintain public streets
Remove encroachments on public streets or public places
Provide sufficient number of street lights
Maintain records related to Population census, cattle census, crop census, census of unemployed people and people below POVERTY line.

Taluk Panchayat

The Taluk Panchayat is the intermediate level of Panchayat Raj in Karnataka. The Taluk Panchayat is constituted for each taluk. The representatives of the Taluk Panchayat Samiti are directly elected by the residents of the non-urban areas of the taluk. The president and the vice-president of the Taluk Panchayat Samiti are elected from among members.

The tenure of Taluk Panchayat members is five years. The Taluk Panchayat has provision for reservation of seats for scheduled castes on the basis of their population. Two seats are reserved for women in the Taluk Panchayat Samiti.

Functions of Taluk Panchayat

The Taluk Panchayat has to perform the following functions:

Construct and expand water supply works to get at least forty litres per capita per day
File reports of Gram Panchayat activities.
Maintain primary school buildings and provide sanction for sufficient class rooms and water supply in schools.
Obtain land to create manure pits away from the village dwelling area.

Zilla Panchayat

The Zilla Panchayat is the apex level of Panchayat Raj in Karnataka. The Zilla Panchayat is constituted for each district of the state. It has jurisdiction over the entire district except those portions that are included in smaller urban areas or are under the authority of Municipal Corporations, Town Panchayat or Industrial Township. Members of the Zila Parishad are elected from the district.

The representatives of the Zilla Panchayats are elected for a tenure of five years. Every Zilla Panchayat has seats reserved for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and women.

Functions of Zilla Panchayat

The Zilla Panchayat has to perform the following functions:

Establish Health centres and maternity centres as per the government rules
Construct underground structures for water recharge to make water available in the drinking water wells.
Prevent drilling of Irrigation bore wells near drinking water wells to ensure adequate drinking water.
Create a plan for Forestry-2/”>Social Forestry development in each taluk.

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system is a three-tier system of local self-government in the Indian state of Karnataka. It was established in 1985 with the enactment of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act. The system consists of village panchayats, taluk panchayats, and zilla panchayats.

Village panchayats are the lowest tier of the system and are responsible for local development and welfare activities. Taluk panchayats are the intermediate tier and are responsible for planning and implementation of development schemes. Zilla panchayats are the highest tier and are responsible for overall planning and coordination of development activities in the district.

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system is funded by the state government and by local taxes. The state government provides grants-in-aid to the panchayats for development activities. The panchayats also raise revenue through taxes on property, vehicles, and other sources.

Women play an important role in the Karnataka Panchayat Raj system. They are elected to the panchayats in reserved seats and also participate in the decision-making process. The state government has taken several measures to promote the participation of women in the panchayats. These measures include providing training to women, setting up women’s cells in the panchayats, and providing financial assistance to women’s self-help groups.

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system has faced a number of challenges, including Corruption, lack of funds, and lack of coordination between the different tiers of the system. However, the system has also made significant progress in the areas of rural development, Poverty Alleviation, and women’s Empowerment.

The future prospects of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj system are bright. The state government is committed to strengthening the system and making it more effective. The system has the potential to play a major role in the development of the state.

Here are some additional details about each of the subtopics:

History: The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system was established in 1985 with the enactment of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act. The system was modeled on the Panchayati Raj system of local self-government in India.
Structure: The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system is a three-tier system of local self-government. The three tiers are village panchayats, taluk panchayats, and zilla panchayats. Village panchayats are the lowest tier and are responsible for local development and welfare activities. Taluk panchayats are the intermediate tier and are responsible for planning and implementation of development schemes. Zilla panchayats are the highest tier and are responsible for overall planning and coordination of development activities in the district.
Function: The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system is responsible for a wide range of functions, including rural development, poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, Education, health, and sanitation.
Finance: The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system is funded by the state government and by local taxes. The state government provides grants-in-aid to the panchayats for development activities. The panchayats also raise revenue through taxes on property, vehicles, and other sources.
Role of women: Women play an important role in the Karnataka Panchayat Raj system. They are elected to the panchayats in reserved seats and also participate in the decision-making process. The state government has taken several measures to promote the participation of women in the panchayats. These measures include providing training to women, setting up women’s cells in the panchayats, and providing financial assistance to women’s self-help groups.
Challenges: The Karnataka Panchayat Raj system has faced a number of challenges, including corruption, lack of funds, and lack of coordination between the different tiers of the system. However, the system has also made significant progress in the areas of rural development, poverty alleviation, and women’s empowerment.
Future prospects: The future prospects of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj system are bright. The state government is committed to strengthening the system and making it more effective. The system has the potential to play a major role in the development of the state.

What is Panchayat Raj?

Panchayat Raj is a system of local self-government in India. It is a three-tier system, with village panchayats at the lowest level, taluk panchayats at the intermediate level, and district panchayats at the highest level.

What are the functions of Panchayat Raj?

The functions of Panchayat Raj include:

Providing basic amenities such as water, sanitation, and electricity to the people
Promoting agriculture and rural development
Maintaining law and order in the villages
Providing education and health Services to the people
Promoting social Justice and empowerment of women and other marginalized groups

What are the benefits of Panchayat Raj?

The benefits of Panchayat Raj include:

It provides a platform for the people to participate in the decision-making process
It helps to improve the delivery of basic services to the people
It promotes decentralization and accountability in governance
It helps to reduce corruption and improve transparency in governance
It helps to promote social justice and empowerment of women and other marginalized groups

What are the challenges faced by Panchayat Raj?

The challenges faced by Panchayat Raj include:

Lack of financial Resources
Lack of capacity building of elected representatives and officials
Lack of coordination between different levels of government
Lack of awareness among the people about the powers and functions of Panchayat Raj institutions
Lack of political will to empower Panchayat Raj institutions

What are the reforms needed to strengthen Panchayat Raj?

The reforms needed to strengthen Panchayat Raj include:

Providing adequate financial resources to Panchayat Raj institutions
Building the capacity of elected representatives and officials of Panchayat Raj institutions
Improving coordination between different levels of government
Raising awareness among the people about the powers and functions of Panchayat Raj institutions
Strengthening political will to empower Panchayat Raj institutions

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act was enacted in the year:
(A) 1983
(B) 1985
(C) 1987
(D) 1989
The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act provides for the establishment of three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions at the:
(A) Village, Taluk and District levels
(B) Village, Taluk, Block and District levels
(C) Village, Taluk, Mandal and District levels
(D) Village, Taluk, Block, Mandal and State levels
The President of the Gram Panchayat is elected by the:
(A) Members of the Gram Panchayat
(B) Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the Taluk
(C) Members of the Taluk Panchayat
(D) Members of the Zilla Panchayat
The Vice-President of the Gram Panchayat is elected by the:
(A) Members of the Gram Panchayat
(B) Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the Taluk
(C) Members of the Taluk Panchayat
(D) Members of the Zilla Panchayat
The President of the Taluk Panchayat is elected by the:
(A) Members of the Taluk Panchayat
(B) Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the Taluk
(C) Members of the Zilla Panchayat
(D) Members of the State Legislature
The Vice-President of the Taluk Panchayat is elected by the:
(A) Members of the Taluk Panchayat
(B) Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the Taluk
(C) Members of the Zilla Panchayat
(D) Members of the State Legislature
The President of the Zilla Panchayat is elected by the:
(A) Members of the Zilla Panchayat
(B) Members of the Taluk Panchayats in the District
(C) Members of the State Legislature
(D) Members of the Parliament
The Vice-President of the Zilla Panchayat is elected by the:
(A) Members of the Zilla Panchayat
(B) Members of the Taluk Panchayats in the District
(C) Members of the State Legislature
(D) Members of the Parliament
The term of office of the President and Vice-President of the Gram Panchayat is:
(A) Five years
(B) Four years
(C) Three years
(D) Two years
The term of office of the President and Vice-President of the Taluk Panchayat is:
(A) Five years
(B) Four years
(C) Three years
(D) Two years
The term of office of the President and Vice-President of the Zilla Panchayat is:
(A) Five years
(B) Four years
(C) Three years
(D) Two years
The Chief Executive Officer of the Gram Panchayat is:
(A) The Secretary of the Gram Panchayat
(B) The President of the Gram Panchayat
(C) The Vice-President of the Gram Panchayat
(D) The Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat
The Chief Executive Officer of the Taluk Panchayat is:
(A) The Secretary of the Taluk Panchayat
(B) The President of the Taluk Panchayat
(C) The Vice-President of the Taluk Panchayat
(D) The President of the Zilla Panchayat
The Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat is:
(A) The Secretary of the Zilla Panchayat
(B) The President of the Zilla Panchayat
(C) The Vice-President of the Zilla Panchayat
(D) The Chief Secretary of the State
The Finance Commission of Karnataka is constituted every:
(A) Five years
(B) Four years
(C) Three years
(D) Two years
The Finance Commission of Karnataka is responsible for:
(A) Formulating the State Finance Commission award
(B) Reviewing the working of the Panchayati Raj institutions
(C) Recommending measures for strengthening the Panchayati Raj institutions
(D) All of the above
The State Election Commission of Karnataka is responsible for:
(A) Conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions
(B) Registering Political Parties
(C) De-registering political parties
(D) All of the above
The State Election Commission of Karnataka is constituted by the