Explain the salient features of Panchayati Raj Act.
(1) We have adopted the Panchayati Raj institutions for achieving democratic decentralisation. Panchayats are constituted at the village intermediate and district levels. Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all persons living in the village. Gram Sabha is considered as the soul of Panchayati Raj. The chairperson of the Panchayat of the village level is elected by the voters of the Panchayat.
(2) In every panchayat, seats are reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in proportion to their population in the panchayat area. The duration of the panchayat is five years.
(3) Panchayats have been given the power and authority to enable them to function as institutions of self-government. There are two major areas which have been identified for this purpose:
(i) The preparation of plans for economic development.
(ii) The implementation of scheme for economic development and social justice.
