What is meant by the term, ‘Panchayati Raj’?
Or
What is the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions?
In 1956, a committee was appointed by the government under the chairmanship of Shri Balwant Rai Mehta to suggest measures for the implementation of the Community Development Schemes. This committee suggested that the development work cannot be fulfilled without the co-operation of local people. Hence these affairs should be entrusted to the elected representatives of the local people and the government officers should co-operate with them. For this purpose the committee recommended the organisation of a three-tier autonomous body which will decentralise the power and the local representative grasping the utility of development programmes will implement them. Thus, Panchyati Raj is divided into three-tier system:-
1. Structure of Panchayats at village level.
2. Block Committees or Samitis at block level, and
3. Zila Parishads at district level, will be organised.
