18-12-2017, 04:52 PM
* This committee recommended the establishment of the scheme of democratic decentralization which ultimately came to be known as Panchayati Raj.
* Rajasthan is the first state to establish Panchayati Raj in India.
*It was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru on 2nd October 1959, in Nagaur district
*Andhra Pradesh is the second state in India and the first state in South India to introduce Panchayati Raj (1959). Thereafter most of the states adopted the system. But there were differences from one state to another with regard to the number of tiers, tenure functions etc. Thus the system was not successful according to the Wishes of the nation.
Ashok Mehta Commitee
*In December 1977, the Janatha Government appointed a committee under the Chairmanship of Ashok Mehta, which is known as “Committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions”.
*The committee submitted its report ip August 1978 and made 132 recommendations to revive and strengthen the declining panchayati raj system in the country.
Recommendations
*The three -tier system should be replaced by the two-tier system - ie- Zila Parishad at the district level and below it the mandal Panchay at (consisting of a group of villages with a total population of 15,000 to 20,000).
*The district should be the first point for decentralisation under popular supervision below the state level.
*Zila Parishad should be the executive body and made responsible for planning at the district level.
*Panchayati Raj Institutions should have compulsory powers of taxation.
*There should be a regular social audit. *There should be an official participation of political parties at all levels of panchayat elections.
*State government should not supersede the Panchayati Raj institutions. In case of any supersession, elections should be held within six months from the date of supersession. Development functions should be transferred to the Zila Parishad.
*The voluntary agencies should play an important role in mobilising the support the people for Panchayati Raj.
*The malayalee member of Ashok Mehta Committee was
Ans : EMS
* A minister for Panchayati Raj should be appointed.
*Seats for SC, ST should be reserved on the basis of their population.
