Q. Consider the following: - People's participation in development
- Political accountability
- Democratic decentralization
- Financial mobilization
The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? Select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC Prelims 2015)
Answer:
1 and 3 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[C] 1 and 3 only. The Panchayati Raj System (PRS) was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, to build democracy at the grassroots level.
- People's Participation in Development (Statement 1 – Correct): The core philosophy of Panchayati Raj is to transform development into a mass movement. By involving the local community in the planning and execution of schemes, it ensures that development is inclusive and ground-rooted.
- Democratic Decentralization (Statement 3 – Correct): This is the primary objective of the PRS. It refers to the devolution of powers and resources from the Centre/State to local bodies (Gram Panchayats), ensuring that "power to the people" is a functional reality.
- Political Accountability (Statement 2 – Incorrect): While the Panchayati Raj system does enhance local accountability, "Political Accountability" in a broader sense is a feature of the entire democratic structure (Parliamentary/Presidential) and is not the fundamental object specific only to the creation of Panchayats. The primary focus of PRS is administrative and developmental decentralization.
- Financial Mobilization (Statement 4 – Incorrect): While Panchayats are encouraged to mobilize their own resources (taxes, fees), financial mobilization is a means to an end (development), not the fundamental object of the system's existence. In fact, most Panchayats in India remain heavily dependent on government grants.
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) originally recommended the establishment of the scheme of 'Democratic Decentralization', which eventually became known as Panchayati Raj. The system aims to ensure that the "last mile" of the population is involved in the decision-making process.