Write a note on ‘Problems and Prospects of Panchayati Raj Institutions’.

The following points emerge with respect to the problems and prospects of Panchayati Raj institutions:

1. The Panchayati Raj institutions have been suffering from the lack of financial resources which hinder their effective functions.

2. The elections of Panchayats are held on party lines which results in casteism and political enemity.

3. There is not much scope for the election of the able and honest persons in the Panchayats and that results in corruption and nepotism.

4. The government machinery continues to maintain its hold on Panchayat bodies, which goes against the very purpose of these institutions.

5. Lack of awareness and non-fulfilment of promises made by these bodies make village people suspicious to the utility of Panchayati Raj bodies.

Effective measures should be adopted to the practice of corruption at various levels in the functioning of Panchayats.