Panchayat Raj

    The term Panchayat Raj in India signifies the system of rural local self-government. It has been established in all the states of India by the acts of the state legislatures to build democracy at the grass root level. It is entrusted with rural development. It was constitutionalised through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.

 The Act defines all these terms in the following manner:

    (a) Panchayat means an institution (by              what ever name called) of self-                      government for rural areas.

    (b) Village means a village specified by 

          the governor by public notification to

          be a village for this purpose, and 

          Includes a group of villages so 

          specified.

    (c) Intermediate level means a level 

          between the village and district 

          levels specified by the governor

          by public notification for this 

          Purpose. 

    (d) District means a district in a state.

  The subject of 'Local Government ' is mentioned in the State List under the 

Seventh schedule of the Indian constitution.