1. Introduction

- The 24th of April is annually acknowledged as National Panchayati Raj Day in India. An initiative by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the day calls for recognition and celebration of our local self-governance bodies, also referred to as Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

- National Panchayati Raj Day 2024 was marked by the inauguration of the National Colloquium on “Governance at the Grassroots after Three Decades of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment” in New Delhi.

2. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment

- Perceived as a pivotal point in Indian history, the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 bestowed constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, enhancing local self-governance in India.

- This legislation was passed on 24th April, thus every subsequent year this day is observed as National Panchayati Raj Day.

3. Why in News

- To commemorate the National Panchayati Raj Day 2024, a colloquium in New Delhi was organised, wherein discussions were held on Governance at the grassroots level post three decades of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

- The event also recognized the outstanding contributions of the best panchayat units by presenting them with awards.

4. Understanding the Panchayati Raj System

- The Panchayati Raj system in India is a three-tiered structure, comprising the Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level, geared to facilitate better governance and development in rural areas.

- This decentralised form of governance plays a crucial role in promoting inclusive growth and tackling key challenges like climate change and persistent rural-to-urban migration.

5. Importance

- The Panchayati Raj institutions symbolise democracy at the grassroots level, fostering direct participation of the people in the administration.

- They play a pivotal role in rural development by executing schemes related to public health, sanitation, rural housing, and other welfare measures.

- Alongside, they contribute significantly to addressing global issues like climate change by implementing sustainable practices at the local level.

6. General Knowledge

- The establishment of Panchayati Raj was recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee setup in 1957.

- National Panchayati Raj Day was first celebrated on 24 April 2010.

- There are more than 2.5 lakhs Panchayati Raj Institutions in India and is considered the backbone of the Indian political system.

To wrap up, it can be said that National Panchayati Raj Day, beyond a celebration, serves to raise awareness about the importance of grassroots democracy, and its impact on rural development and sustainability.