8 Factors That Affect Panchayats System in India

The 73^rd Amendment Act (1992) marked a thumping point in the history of PR bodies. It showed that nation as whole, favored the mechanism of democratic decentralization.

However, very soon some of the dormant issues came to the forefront and continued to hamper its functioning. Moreover certain ambiguities in the act also became clear. The factors/problems continuing to affect Panchayats are:

1. No clear cut role of political parties. While the Act intended to keep the Panchayat area free from party politics, the reality has been contrary to it. Almost all the dominant candidates are sponsored by political parties having greater influence in the region.

Image Source: c2.staticflickr.com

2. Reflection of rural social hierarchy in the PR bodies is more than evident. People who are ‘advantaged’ continue to wield power of PR bodies. Moreover, conservative and orthodox sentiments prevalent in most villages prevent women’s participation.

3. Political violence and corruption has placed PR bodies at a crucial juncture. The bloodshed, with which issues are settled in elections, is fatly eroding people’s faith in them. The last PR election in West Bengal and violence are case in this point.

4. Often there is a deliberate attempt to capture power for promoting vested interests. Big land lords arid powerful businessmen are easily getting elected to the PR institutions.

Moreover, the political elites of the state machinery percolate their own interests into these bodies.

5. Poor work culture has been another factor. Lack of expertise and technical knowhow on the part of functionaries greatly hamper their functions.

6. Bureaucratic apathy with the elected representatives and their unwillingness to share power with the representatives has severely affected its functions.

7. Though there has been a provision for incurring financial resources for the Panchayat but still that sphere has not been identified. Financial crunch poses severe threat to its functioning.

8. Complete dependence of PR bodies on the State Legislature may not be very fruitful, For, the elites are getting apprehensive of emerging leadership and talents.