Why in news? National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24 every year in India to commemorate the historic day when the Panchayati Raj System was introduced in the country.

Highlights:

• The Panchayati Raj System is a decentralized system of governance in India, where local bodies or Gram Panchayats are given the power to govern themselves and make decisions for the development of their respective areas.
• This system was introduced in 1993 by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which aimed at bringing democracy at the grassroots level and empowering people in rural areas.
• This year’s National Panchayati Raj Day holds a special significance as we would be commemorating 30 years of Panchayati Raj in India. This Constitution Amendment Act which introduced Part IX regarding Panchayats, has been a watershed initiative in our democratic polity ushering in an effective local governance at grassroots level.

History

• The Panchayati Raj System has its roots in ancient India, where the village council or Panchayat was the primary unit of governance. The system was revived in the early 1950s when the first National Development Council recommended the establishment of a democratic system of governance at the grassroots level. However, it was not until 1993 that the Panchayati Raj System was given a constitutional status and made mandatory for all states in India.

Significance

• The Panchayati Raj System has been instrumental in bringing about significant changes in the rural landscape of India.
• It has given people in rural areas a voice and an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process, leading to the overall development of their respective areas.
• The system has also helped in decentralizing power and reducing corruption at higher levels of government, as decisions are made at the local level.
• The system has been successful in bringing about socio-economic development, promoting social justice, and empowering women in rural areas.

Theme

• ‘Sustainable Panchayat: Building Healthy, Water Sufficient, Clean & Green Villages’.
• The primary objective of this year’s theme is to promote sustainable development in rural areas by focusing on the availability of clean water, promoting good health practices, and creating a clean and green environment.
• The theme aims to encourage the creation of healthy and water-sufficient villages, which are clean and green. By adopting sustainable practices, the Panchayats can help in conserving the environment and promote eco-friendly activities.