National Panchayati Raj Day - NPRD

National Panchayati Raj Day is recognized on April 24th every year by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. 

The information on Panchayati Raj Day forms an important part of the current affairs section of various competitive exams, as it has been in the news recently.

Why in the news?

This year the country commemorates the 12th National Panchayati Raj Day. It was celebrated virtually on April 24, 2021. 

• The Prime Minister has launched the distribution of e-property cards under the SWAMITVA scheme on that Day.

National Panchayati Raj Day UPSC Notes PDF:-Download PDF Here

This article will give relevant details on the National Panchayati Raj Day within the context of the IAS exam.

Aspirants can check out the following relevant links to assist their preparation – 

National Panchayati Raj Day 2021

1. This national event of NPRD 2021 was organized at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj awarded the best performing Panchayats/ States/ and UTs across the country under the Incentivization of Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving the delivery of services and public goods. 
3. The awards given under various categories are –
   • Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar – DDUPSP – to 224 panchayats in 2021,
   • Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar – NDRGGSP – to 30 Gram panchayats,
   • Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award – CFGPA – to 30 Gram panchayats,
   • Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award – 29 Gram Panchayats
   • e-Panchayat Puraskar given to States and UTs only – to 12 states.
4. For the first time, the Prime Minister transferred the award money (as Grants-in-Aid) ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.50 lakh to the bank account of the Panchayats concerned in real time.
5. Around 74,000 Panchayats participated in the National Panchayati Raj Awards 2021
6. The Prime Minister said that Panchayati Raj Day is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the pledge of redevelopment of rural India. This is a day to acknowledge and appreciate the extraordinary work of our Gram Panchayats.

Go through the information on the difference between State and Union Territory on the given link.

National Panchayati Raj Day 

Background

1. The first National Panchayati Raj Day also called Panchayati Raj Diwas was celebrated in 2010 declared by the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
2. The annual celebration for NPRD is done to commemorate the day on which the 73rd Constitutional Amendment was passed in 1992. 
3. The 73rd Amendment Act came into effect on April 24, 1993.
4. Panchayati Raj Institution was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.

Check out the list of Committees and Commissions in India on the linked page. 

Significance of NPRD 

1. National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated to mark the inception of decentralised power.
2. NPRD is a unique occasion to recognise the Panchayats for their exemplary work towards building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. 
3. It is an opportunity for direct dialogue with Panchayat representatives from all over the country as well as recognizing their achievements to empower and motivate them further.
4. National Panchayat Awards have become a medium for creating awareness and sharing of knowledge across the country about the achievements of Panchayats, thus, raising the level of commitment of all stakeholders and benefiting the nation as a result. 
5. Empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions of our country will build a strong nation, and also set a unique example for other countries due to their epoch-making role in this world’s largest democracy.

Also read about – 

1. Separation of Powers in Indian Constitution
2. Difference between Democratic and Republic 

Brief on Panchayati  Raj

1. The Constitution of India recognizes Panchayats as ‘Institutions of self-government’.
2. A committee was formed in 1957 to focus on the evolution of Panchayati Raj in the country. 
3. The chairman of the committee was Balwantrai Mehta. 
4. The committee in its report recommended a decentralised three-layered Panchayati Raj system – Gram Panchayat at the Village level, Panchayat Samiti at the Block level and Zila Parishad at the District level.
5. There are more than 2.6 lakh Panchayats at all three tiers in India.
6. The mission of the Panchayati Raj system is to empower, enable and establish accountable Panchayati Raj institutions to ensure inclusive development and efficient delivery of services along with social justice.
7. To strengthen e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched eGramSwaraj, a user-friendly web-based portal.

National Panchayati Raj Day UPSC Notes PDF:-Download PDF Here

Candidates preparing for upcoming  UPSC Prelims can check the following relevant related links for assistance in the preparation –