Panchayati raj imp Book
THE CONCEPT OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
Panchayati Raj is an old concept in India and in a way it is
the earliest concept of democracy in the history of civilization. The concept
of five elected seniors in a village form a sort of self government of the
organization to settle down matters of dispute of the community has not been
found in any where else in the world1 as recorded by Chinese Travelers in their
diaries. Panchayat has been in existence in India since the dawn of
civilization. While empires arise and fell, village Panchayati continued to
survive giving continuity to Indian Village traditions. The Vedas, the Rigveda
in particular reveal that ancient Hindus used to lead a cooperative life.
Valmiki’s Ramayana, the Mahabharata have also described existence of such
institutions. The inspiration of Panchayati Raj is derived from the tradition
of ‘Panch Parameshwara’ where God speaks through the five and the official
publications speak of village republic.
Jawaharlal Nehru in his “Discovery of India” pointed out that
“the village Panchayat or elected council had large powers both executive and
judicial and its members were treated with the greatest respect. By the King’s
order, lands were distributed by this Panchayat and which also collected taxes
out of the produce and paid the Government’s share on behalf of the village.
Over and above these village councils, there was a larger Panchayat or council
to supervise and interfere, if necessary”.
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