The enactment of the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act, 1992 has brought to frontline the significance of Pachayati Raj System. Based on the framework provided in the Amendment, the State Governments initiated measures and gave shape to the concept of local governance through legislations and rules. The successful implementation of the constitutional amendment, State legislations and rules determine the overall functioning of PRIs. The functioning of PRIs has thrown up many issues and problems. In this book an attempts is made to discuss these issues and problems. The book covers a broad spectrum of Panchayati Raj System organizational structure, powers, functions, personnel, finance and overall performance. The book will be useful to students, research scholars, and teachers of Political Science and Public Administration and to policy makers, bureaucrats, social activists and all those concerned with democratic decentralization.

With reference to India.

Study conducted in Khagaria District of Bihar, India.

This book establishes a link between the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. Panchayati Raj being people-centric institutions promotes quality of life of the people living in the rural areas. India is a home of villages where a large chunk of population lives whereas Panchayati Raj is a hearth of governance and development in rural areas. Government has assigned developmental tasks to Panchayati Raj bodies by involving people and their representatives. The goal of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Development Schemes are interlined which focus on resolving issues of the people and take care of development. Government of India, through its legislations, empowers elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to share their responsibilities in developmental process and promotes services to the local people. This book covers strategy and evolution of Panchayati Raj system and effectiveness of centrally sponsored schemes. This book is useful for the functionaries of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, students of Political Science, Rural Development Management, Scholars of M.Phil., & Ph.D., Development Agents, Social Activists, Students of different competitive examinations, etc. This book comprises important themes of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development which fulfills expectation of the readers.

With reference to the functioning of panchayats or local governments in the state of Haryana, India.