50 Years of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development

In India, Panchayati Raj institutions have been playing an important role for rural development in general and especially upliftment of down-trodden people in rural areas. Panchayat Raj system establishes a linkage between local leadership enjoying confidence of local people and the government, and translate the policies of the government into action.In this study, an attempt was made to examine the specific role being played by the Panchayat Raj institutions for overall development of rural areas. The nature of relationship of the Panchayati Raj with the elected body, the law and order officials and the state level departmental hierarchy and political parties was examined in this study.