Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir
Evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir: A Critical Analysis
Abstract: The Panchayati Raj is an indigenous and time-honoured concept in our country. Panchayats as traditional institutions were seen in India as almost sacred with their Panchas (members) referred to as ‘Panch Parmeshwar’ (member as God) with expectations of fairness and justice in their role of settlement of local interpersonal and community disputes. The genesis of the new panchayats can be traced to the attempts made in colonial India. The State of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) has its own unique history as far as Panchayati Raj is concerned. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Panchayati Raj institutions are established under the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. The Panchayati Raj Act, 1992-popularly known as 73rd amendment-was enacted in the country to revitalise the Panchayati Raj. However, the provisions of 73rd amendment were not extended to the State owing to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under article 370. Although the State government has adopted various provisions of 73rd amendment but still the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 has many loopholes.
The Panchayati Raj is an indigenous and time-honoured concept in our country. The form may vary, but the spirit has always been part of our socio-cultural ethos. Its origin can be traced back to ancient ages where community spirit was the main force not only to keep village communities united but to help them manage local affairs independently. Sir, Charles Metcalfe characterised them as small “republics having nearly everything that they want within themselves” (Aslam 1996).
The genesis of the new panchayats can be traced to the attempts made in colonial India with the panchayat laws enacted in the provinces and princely states in 1920 and thereafter. These laws sought to create panchayats as local bodies dealing with sanitation, regulation and maintenance of buildings, roads, etc., and to
Abstract: The Panchayati Raj is an indigenous and time-honoured concept in our country. Panchayats as traditional institutions were seen in India as almost sacred with their Panchas (members) referred to as ‘Panch Parmeshwar’ (member as God) with expectations of fairness and justice in their role of settlement of local interpersonal and community disputes. The genesis of the new panchayats can be traced to the attempts made in colonial India. The State of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) has its own unique history as far as Panchayati Raj is concerned. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Panchayati Raj institutions are established under the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. The Panchayati Raj Act, 1992-popularly known as 73rd amendment-was enacted in the country to revitalise the Panchayati Raj. However, the provisions of 73rd amendment were not extended to the State owing to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under article 370. Although the State government has adopted various provisions of 73rd amendment but still the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 has many loopholes.
The Panchayati Raj is an indigenous and time-honoured concept in our country. The form may vary, but the spirit has always been part of our socio-cultural ethos. Its origin can be traced back to ancient ages where community spirit was the main force not only to keep village communities united but to help them manage local affairs independently. Sir, Charles Metcalfe characterised them as small “republics having nearly everything that they want within themselves” (Aslam 1996).
The genesis of the new panchayats can be traced to the attempts made in colonial India with the panchayat laws enacted in the provinces and princely states in 1920 and thereafter. These laws sought to create panchayats as local bodies dealing with sanitation, regulation and maintenance of buildings, roads, etc., and to
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