National Panchayati Raj Day

National Panchayati Raj Day

The National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) is being celebrated on 24 April since 2010.

The Constitution of India recognizes Panchayats as 'Institutions of self-government'. There are 2.51 lakh Panchayats in India. It include 2.39 lakh Gram Panchayats, 6904 Block Panchayats and 589 District Panchayats. There are more than 29 lakh Panchayat representatives. Under the 14^th Finance Commission for the period 2015-20, more than 2 lakh crore Rupees is being allocated to Gram Panchayats for 5 years to undertake physical and social infrastructure projects in the villages.

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from April 24, 1993 has vested constitutional status on Panchayati Raj institutions. This date thus marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. The impact of the 73rd Amendment in rural India is very visible.  It has changed power equations irreversibly.