Today, panchayats are the grassroots institution of governance. The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution in 1993, laid the foundation of the panchayats as we see them today. The democratic three-tier system of local governance aims at devolution of powers, funds, and responsibilities to the panchayats, for economic, community, and social development of the villages. They are provided funds through the Centre and States to sustain financially. Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of ‘Gram Swaraj’ to make villages self-reliant and decentralised is taken care of in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). These institutions facilitate the participation of the people in the process of planning and development.
This special issue of Yojana brings together the vision and idea behind the Panchayati Raj System, initiatives taken in decades that have helped strengthen this System, and the success stories on ground from various regions. It applauds the journey of our villages towards being Atmanirbhar and derives an inspiration for all.