Commemoration of the National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2011

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is organizing the National Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24, 2011 to mark the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24th April, 1993 which institutionalized Panchayati Raj through the Village, Intermediate and District levels Panchayats. This registers a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. The impact of the 73rd Amendment in rural India is very much visible as it has changed power equations irrevocably.

The function will witness the gracious address by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and NAC Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi. On this occasion Annual PEAIS 2011 Awards to the best performing States under the Panchayat Empowerment & Accountability Incentive Scheme and the Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha 2011 Awards to best Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats in the country (7 Nos), the e-Panchayat Awards 2011 and present the award to the winners of the nationwide Drawing and painting competition and Essay competitions held during the “Year of the Gram Sabha” ( 2nd October 2009-2nd October 2010) will also be given. A national conference by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is also being organized on this occasion.

The theme of the National Panchayati Raj Divas this year would be the “Roadmap for the Panchayati Raj (2011-16) : An All India Perspective with focus on Gram Sabha”. Accordingly, the “Roadmap for Panchayats challenges and way forward” will be presented in detail among the experts, academicians, editors of major newspapers/journals and officials during the day-long deliberations a day before the National Panchayati Raj Diwas . This document charts future path of decentralization agenda for the Panchayat bodies in India for 2011-2016 that would set out strategies and action plan to accomplish the desired goal. It is expected that this roadmap will lead strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions; real devolution of power; proper functioning of Panchayats; and establishment of efficient and accountable Panchayats.