Committees on Panchayat Raj
 There should be official participation of the
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee [Jan-
1957]
The committee was appointed in 1957 by
Government of India to examine and suggest
measures for better working of the Community
Development Programme and the National
Extention service. It recommended establishment of
democratic decentralization. Report submitted –
Nov 1957
Recommendations by the Committee:
 Three-tier Panchayati Raj system: Gram
Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad.
 Directly elected representatives to constitute
the gram panchayat and indirectly elected
representatives to constitute the Panchayat
Samiti and Zila Parishad.
 Planning and development are the primary
objectives of the Panchayati Raj system.
 Panchayat Samiti should be the executive body
and Zila Parishad will act as the advisory and
supervisory body.
 District Collector to be made the chairman of
the Zila Parishad.
 It also requested for provisioning resources so
as to help them discharge their duties and
responsibilities.
Ashok Mehta Committee [Dec-1977]
Established by Janata Government. It made 132
recommendations. Report submitted – Aug 1978
The key recommendations are:
 Three-tier system should be replaced with two-
tier system
 A district should be the first point for
decentralization
 ZP should be executive body
political parties
 They should have compulsory powers of
taxation
 Regular social audit
 Elections should be held within six months if
Panchayati institutions are superseded
 A minister for Panchayati raj should be
appointed at the state
 Reservation of seats for SC and ST
 Constitutional recognition to these institutions
G V K Rao Committee [1985]
The committee was appointed by the planning
commission in 1985. It recognised that
development was not seen at the grassroot level
due to bureaucratisation resulting in Panchayat Raj
institutions being addressed as ‘grass without
roots’. Hence, it made some key recommendations
which are as follows:
 Zila Parishad to be the most important body in
the scheme of democratic decentralisation. Zila
Parishad to be the principal body to manage the
developmental programmes at the district level.
 The district and the lower levels of the
Panchayati Raj system to be assigned with
specific planning, implementation and
monitoring of the rural developmental
programmes.
 Post of District Development Commissioner to
be created. He will be the chief executive officer
of the Zila Parishad.
 Elections to the levels of Panchayati Raj systems
should be held regularly.
L M Singhvi Committee [1986]
The committee was appointed by the Rajiv Gandhi
Government in 1986 with the main objective to
recommend steps to revitalize the Panchayati Raj

systems for democracy and development. The
following recommendations were made by the
committee:
 It should be constitutionally recognized
 Nyaya panchayats should be established for a
cluster of villages
 Placed emphasis on Gram Sabha as the centre
for democratic decentralization
 Village panchayats should have more resources
 Judicial tribunals should be established to
adjudicate judicial matters related to PRI.
Thungon committee [1988]
A sub-committee of the consultative committee of
parliament was constituted to examine political
 The District Collector should be the CEO of the
Zila Parishad
Gadgil committee [1988]
Established by Congress party. This committee was
asked to consider the question of “how best
panchayat raj institutions could be made effective”
Recommendations :
 The Panchayati Raj institutions should be given
constitutional status.
 Panchayati Raj is a three-tier structure with
panchayats at the village, block, and district
levels.
 Panchayati Raj institutions should be given a
five-year term.

and administrative structure in district for purpose  At all three levels, members of the Panchayats
should be directly elected.
of district planning.
 Women, SCs, and STs should have a reservation.
 The preparation and implementation of socio-
Recommendations economic development plans should be the
duty of Panchayati Raj authorities. A list of
 Constitutional recognition must be granted for subjects should be established in the
Panchayati Raj. constitution for this purpose.
 Suggested a 3-tier system with village, block and  Taxation and duties should be levied, collected,
district levels. and appropriated by Panchayat Raj entities.
 Zila Parishad plays an important role and acts as  The creation of a State Finance Commission to
a planning and development agency in the oversee the distribution of funds to the
district. Panchayats.
 Panchayati Raj must have a fixed tenure of 5  Establishment of a State Election Commission to
years. oversee the conduct of panchayat elections.
 The maximum time for supersession of a body
must not be greater than 6 months.
 A Planning and coordination committee at the
state level with the Presidents of Zila Panchayat
as members and minister of planning as the
Chairman must be set up.
 The subjects for the Panchayats to administer
must be incorporated in the constitution on
schedule 7 lines.
 Reservations for women, SC and STs.
 A Finance commission in each state to lay
criteria and guidelines for financial devolution.