Panchayat are organised in India from ancient times to resolve method of a particular confined area but in present Main aim of panchayats are to make democracy more participative in nature.
Objectives of Panchayati Raj
To develop democratic consciousness among people of India
To reduce the Gulf between bureaucrats and people
To reduce the burden on government
To involve villages in their development i.e. participatory democracy
Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj
By 73rd Amendment Act 1993 panchayats got constitutional status in Indian Constitution
Schedule 11th and 12th were added in Indian Constitution
Article 243 to article 243 have provisions regarding Panchayati Raj
Various committees regarding Panchayati Raj
Balwant Rai Mehta committee in 1957 suggested three tire of local self government
Ashok Mehta committee of 1977 suggested two tier system with involvement of political parties and constitutional status to panchayats.
LM Singhvi committee give more focus to constitutional status for panchayats. Nyaya panchayat also suggested by LM Singhvi committee
Thungon committee suggested that at the tenure of a panchayat should be 5 years and the main body should be Zilla Parishad.
Gadgil committee suggested for constitutional status and for reservation of womens.