Federalism And Panchayat Raj System In India: Enhancing Community Participation

Lakshay Verma, BA LLB, Law College, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun

Dr. Ratnesh Kumar Srivastava, Assistant Professor, Law College Dehradun, Faculty of Uttaranchal University, Dehradun

ABSTRACT

India's federal structure, which is embodied in the Indian Constitution, has a rich historical foundation that is strongly tied to the Panchayat Raj system. The Panchayat Raj Institutions, which date back thousands of years and were initially a kind of local self-government, have changed dramatically throughout time to meet the shifting needs and goals of the Indian people. But even with its constitutional foundation and historical significance, India's Panchayat Raj Institutions nevertheless confront many difficulties today. These difficulties include things like insufficient funding, a lack of independence, political meddling, and a lack of capacity training. Determining the efficacy of decentralised government and grassroots democracy in India requires an understanding of the state of the Panchayat Raj Institutions. This research paper aims to delve into the historical evolution of the Panchayat Raj system, analyse the current challenges faced by these institutions, and propose recommendations for enhancing their functioning within the federal character of the Indian Constitution and explores the relationship between federalism and the Panchayat Raj system in India, focusing on how power is distributed vertically by the legislature of the country and these frameworks enhance community participation in the panchayat raj system in India and also examines the historical context, constitutional provisions, problems and practical implementations of Panchayat Raj institutions (PRIs). Additionally, discussing the challenges and prospects of decentralized governance in promoting grassroots democracy and community involvement, also problems in the present system of system.

Keywords: Panchayati Raj, Community Participation, Grass Root Democracy, Social Dynamics