A Study of Panchayats (Chapter IV of the Fifth Evaluation Report)

Abstract

Statutory panchayats have existed in some States of the country for a fairly long period. Thus, Madras, had its first panchayats in 1920. Some other States, notably Bombay and Mysore, have also had panchayats for nearly three decades. These earlier panchayats, however, covered only a limited number of villages and had generally a limited range of functions. The programme of organising panchayats on a country-wide scale can be said to have started only after Independence.