Date of Celebration:
Date of Celebration: April 24 every year
🏛️ What is National Panchayati Raj Day?
National Panchayati Raj Day commemorates the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into effect on April 24, 1993. This amendment granted constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj System, a decentralized form of governance that empowers local bodies to make decisions for the welfare and development of rural areas.
🗓️ Historical Background:
- Passage of the Bill: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 22, 1992, and by the Rajya Sabha on December 23, 1992.
- State Ratification: It was ratified by 17 state legislatures.
- Presidential Assent: Received on April 23, 1993.
- Implementation Date: Came into force on April 24, 1993.
- First Celebration: The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated on April 24, 2010, as declared by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
⚖️ Key Features of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act:
- http://vvacademy.comIntroduced Part IX to the Constitution, covering Articles 243 to 243O.
- Added the 11th Schedule, listing 29 subjects under the jurisdiction of Panchayats.
- Established a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj:
- Gram Panchayat (Village level)
- Panchayat Samiti (Block level)
- Zila Parishad (District level)
- Gram Sabha: Comprises all adult members of a village, serving as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj System.
- Elections: Held every five years for all Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Reservations: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women to ensure inclusive representation.
- State Election Commission: Responsible for overseeing and conducting PRI elections.
- Finance Commission: Reviews the financial status of PRIs and recommends resource allocations.
- 11th Schedule: Outlines the powers, authority, and responsibilities of PRIs across 29 subjects.
</
🏢 Role of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj:
- Established in May 2004, the Ministry is dedicated to promoting decentralization and strengthening local governance.
- It oversees the operations and growth of Panchayati Raj Institutions across India’s states.
- The Ministry is responsible for:
- Facilitating the division of powers among Union, State, and Local Governments.
- Supervising the functioning of PRIs at various levels.
- Advancing digital initiatives like eGramSwaraj and Audit Online to improve transparency and accountability.
- Empowering PRIs through training programs and development schemes.
🎯 Objectives of National Panchayati Raj Day:
- To recognize and celebrate the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in strengthening grassroots democracy.
- To promote awareness about the importance of local self-governance.
- To encourage the participation of citizens in the decision-making process at the local level.
- To highlight the achievements and best practices of Panchayats in rural development.
🏆 Awards and Recognitions:
On this day, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj recognizes and honors the best-performing Panchayats and States/UTs for their exemplary work in various areas of rural development. Some of the awards include:
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar
- Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar
- Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award
- Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award
- e-Panchayat Puraskar
National Panchayati Raj Day 2025 Theme
While the official theme for National Panchayati Raj Day 2025 is yet to be announced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the themes generally focus on enhancing participatory governance, rural development, women’s empowerment, and digital transformation in village-level administration.
