PROJECT WORK

SESSION- JULY 2019- JANUARY 2020

(DPLAD)
TITLE OF THE
PROJECT:
LOCAL SELF
GOVERNMENT IN
ODISHA SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO
PANCHAYAT RAJ
SYSTEM IN
“GANJAM”
DISTRICT
pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU
 SUBMITTED BY:-
NAME: Shrimayee Debasmita

PROGRAM TITLE: DIPLOMA IN PANCHAYAT LEVEL

ADMINISTRATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
SUBJECT CODE: BPRP-004

SUBJECT TITLE: Project Work

IGNOU REGIONAL
STUDY CENTRE/CODE:
OFFICE, BBSR/ 2100

ENROLLMENT NUMBER: 195711096

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 gUIDED BY:-

MR. BIJOY KUMAR SAHOO

READER
POLITICAL SCIENCE
EKAMRA COLLEGE
BHUBANESWAR

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 CERTIFICATE OF THE CANDIDATE

I the undersigned solemnly declare that the project report “Local Self Government in
Odisha Special Reference to Panchayat Raj System in ‘Ganjam’ District” is based
on my own work carried out during the course of our study under the supervision of Mr.
Bijoy Kumar Sahoo. I assert the statements made and conclusions drawn are an outcome
of my research work. I further certify that:

I. The work contained in the report is original and has been done by me under the
general supervision of my supervisor.
II. The work has not been submitted to any other Institution for any other
degree/diploma/certificate in this university or any other University of India or
abroad.
III. We have followed the guidelines provided by the university in writing the report.
IV. Whenever we have used materials (data, theoretical analysis, and text) from other
sources, we have given due credit to them in the text of the report and giving their
details in the references.

NAME: Shrimayee Debasmita

ENROLLMENT NO.: 195711096
COURSE NAME: DPLAD
DATE: SUBJECT CODE: BPRP-004

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 CERTIFICATE OF THE gUIDE

This is to certify that the project report entitled “Local Self Government in Odisha
Special Reference to Panchayat Raj System in ‘Ganjam’ District”, submitted to
the IGNOU Regional Office, BBSR/2100, in partial fulfilment for the award of the
degree of Diploma in Panchayat Level Administration, is a record of bona fide work
carried out by Ms. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment No. 195711096, under my
supervision and guidance.

All help received by her from various sources have been duly acknowledged.

No part of this report has been submitted elsewhere for award of any other degree

(Mr. Bijoy Kumar

Sahoo)
Place: Reader, Political Science,
Ekamra College,
Date: Bhubaneswar

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am grateful to Mr. Bijoy Kumar Sahoo, my guide during the project. My

regardful acknowledgement to the most respectful to my guide, my parents,
& all the learned Instructors during the completion of the project. I, also
acknowledge the support of my friends, who helped with ‘how to observe,
think and express’. A Special thanks to Mr. Bijoy Kumar Sahoo, again for
giving his valuable inputs to quick complete the work. I stand on the able
shoulders of numerous learned personages who all have contributed with
‘personal communications. I also, acknowledge all of them whom I fail to
recollect at this particular moment, and would like to state their support &
help as when indicated, recollected and reminded. I stand on shoulders that
are monumental with pillars deep.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 1. INTRODUCTION

Article 40 of the Indian Constitution: -

Article 40 of the Indian Constitution brings up one of the Directive Principles of State Policy
which lays down that the State shall undertake necessary steps to organize village panchayats.
The state shall furnish the village panchayats with some powers and authority as may be
necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government. The essential features of
Panchayati Raj Institutions must impart certainty, continuity and strength to them. The
respective state government must handle the system well and organize the governments at the
village level for the betterment of the society and rural areas.

The Dream of Mahatma Gandhi, “RAMARAJYA”

Mahatma Gandhi type of "Ram Rajya " is where God lives" truth prevails, all are equal either
rich or poor in the society, no one is above society. If Gandhi JI was born during Lord Ram
times then they could see their dream smart city. Where people give importance to human, not
their money strength, everyone get justice, equal rights, no social discrimination.
But now it is Modi Ji smart city, where if you have money then you can get a good house in
the good colony, everywhere people support their religion, their caste people, too much
discrimination, only rich can fight the elections, thousands of cases are pending in courts, in
some cases three new generation comes but still do not get justice for example 1984 riots, many
Sikh waiting for justice but no hopes for them.
If some wants to bring justice in the village like Khap Panchayat then they have some negative
impact actions like "Honor killings, so I think it is impossible to bring "Gandhi Ji Ram Rajya"
as people become more carving, demanding, materialistic, and so on. But there are some tribes
which follow "Ram Rajya principal theory. Clean India mission, eradication of manual
scavenging, protection of biodiversity, decentralization of industries, are some examples of
how the idea of Ram Rajya has been put into action. But the critical aspect lacking in all these
initiatives is pure and good intention. As Gandhiji said it only through cleansing of our mind
that we can hope for cleansing the society.
Local Self Government
Corporation

Urban Local Self

Municipality
Government

NAC (Notified Area

Council)
Local Self
Government
Gram Panchayat
Figure 1.1 Local Self
(Village Level)
Government Structure
Rural Local Self Panchayat Samiti
Government (Block Level)

Zilla Parishad
(District Level)

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Local self-government is an institution including provincially elected representatives handling
the affairs of the region and equipping them with basic amenities. In a rural area, such an
institution is called Gram Panchayat, and in urban areas, it is recognized as Municipal
Corporation or Municipality. Panchayati Raj System was first inaugurated at Nagpur in
Rajasthan on October 2, 1959. Then, it was started in Andhra Pradesh. But the real
breakthrough came on 24th April 1993 when the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act,1992
came into force. Now, the doubt arises about the local government and local self-government;
whether they mean the same or are different?
Local Self Government is different from Local Government. In local government, the
administration of the locality is looked after by the officials appointed by the State Government.
These officials receive a salary from the State Government. Example: Postman, Policemen,
etc. Local self-government consists of elected representatives who administer local affairs and
get government grants for activities like sanitation, education, and settling disputes. The local
people govern themselves. Fundamentally, local self-government provides the foundation for
the democratic structure, training ground for local leadership, helps local people to know their
problems well & can suggest better solutions, encourage self-help & voluntary service & saves
expenses, the government can reach ordinary people and lessens the burden of State & Central
Government.

The term ‘Panchayati Raj’ came into acceptance after the acceptance of the recommendations
on Democratic Decentralization of the Balwant Rai Mehta Study Team. Earlier the terms used
were ‘village panchayat’, ‘district board’ or ‘subdistrict board’, which meant the self-governing
bodies at the village or regional levels. Panchayati Raj indicates the creation of local
government institutions at the village, block, and district levels. The Institutionalization of
democratic decentralization in the form of statutory Panchayati Raj thus opened a new chapter
in history and gave a new turn to the evolution of rural local self-government institutions in
India (Maithili, 1995).
Panchayati Raj comprises a three-tier structure of democratic institutions at districts, block,
and village levels, namely Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, and Village Panchayat respectively.
These institutions are considered as a training ground, or democracy and political education.
Rural development plans and programs are implemented at this level so that the fruits of
development can accrue to the community directly. These institutions were established in 1959
based on the philosophy of decentralization and Gram Swaraj. The philosophy of development
that emerged in India after Independence emphasized the involvement of the people in a
structure that would enable them to actively participate in the process of decision-making. To
bring democracy to the grassroots level and involve people in decision-making, an experiment
was made with the devolution of power to the elected representatives and allocation of
responsibility and financial resources as it was felt that this would be a major institutional
device for the development of rural areas.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

The father of the nation had his heart and mind applied to the concept of ‘village India’. His
partner in Odisha was ‘Utkalamani’, Sri Gopabandhu Das, who had unshakable interests in the
panchayat system. The term ‘Utkalamani’ means excellent locomotion. It is a metaphor that
denotes Orissa (now spelled as Odisha) as much does Kalinga, which means cleaver and
intelligent. The history of the Panchayat movement in Odisha predates that of the pan India
story. The elections are held under the eagle eye of the State Election Commission. It has all
the three tiers of the panchayat systems in all her 30 districts (elected). And Odisha has
conducted a series of elections under various chief ministers and political hues in the past. The
case of Odisha is that of a lead story, a success story, and a story of the will to devolve power
to the people in the villages.

It is as if Odisha lives in its villages – so progress must flow out from there. It now has a
department enviably called, ‘The Panchayati Raj’. It has an independent fiscal layout
(budgetary), an array of powers, a crisp list of duties, and sterling per-functionaries. It has
cross-linked powers-&-functions with other departments. It is not a loner nor a case of a
dressed-up doll. The evolutionary process path indicates that the department is trying its level
best to bring an overall development in its rural villages. The state’s natives during the same
period came out with flying colors in yielding power, responsibilities in their exercises.
Wholeheartedly, they have participated in elections and post-election for as and forums as if
they are determined to set examples for all others. Not indolent, it is a patient indulgence for
democracy. Time and places, they rejected the bullet and even answered it with the ballot.
There is much room for refinement extending to correction, which shows that the panchayat
movement in Odisha has a very wide spectrum that needs time, money, and experience to
unravel and that we have not been able to do justice in these presents.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 3. METHODOLOGY

In the above background, this project report analyses the role of local governments in Odisha.
The specific objectives are: ·
 To bring out the merits of decentralization;
 To sketch the evolution of panchayats in India; and
 To evaluate the rural decentralization in Odisha state.
The study is based on quantitative information and secondary sources. It is both descriptive
and analytical in nature.

4. STUDY AREA

Odisha, formerly Orissa, is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state
by area and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third-largest population of
Scheduled Tribes in India. It neighbours the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand to the north,
Chhattisgarh to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south. Odisha has a coastline of 485
kilometres (301 mi) along the Bay of Bengal. The region is also known as Utkala and is
mentioned in India's national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana". The language of Odisha is Odia,
which is one of the Classical Languages of India.

The ancient kingdom of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (which
was again won back from them by king Kharavela) in 261 BCE resulting in the Kalinga War,
coincides with the borders of modern-day Odisha. The modern boundaries of Odisha were
demarcated by the British Indian government when Orissa Province was established on 1 April
1936, consisting of the Odia-speaking districts of Bihar and Orissa Province. The first of April
is celebrated as Utkala Dibasa. Cuttack was made the capital of the region by Anantavarman
Chodaganga in c. 1135, after which the city was used as the capital by many rulers, through
the British era until 1948. Thereafter, Bhubaneswar became the capital of Odisha.

The main parties active in the politics of Odisha are the Biju Janata Dal, the Indian National
Congress, and Bhartiya Janata Party. Following the Odisha State Assembly Election in 2019,
the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal stayed in power for the sixth consecutive term, he is
the 14th chief minister of Odisha since 2000. The Odisha state has a unicameral legislature.
The Odisha Legislative Assembly consists of 147 elected members, and special office bearers
such as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, who are elected by the members. Assembly meetings
are presided over by the Speaker, or by the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's absence. Executive
authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, although the titular
head of government is the Governor of Odisha. The governor is appointed by the President of

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

India. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is
appointed as the Chief Minister by the governor, and the Council of Ministers is appointed by
the governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Council of Ministers reports to the
Legislative Assembly. The 147 elected representatives are called Members of the Legislative
Assembly, or MLAs. One MLA may be nominated from the Anglo-Indian community by the
governor. The term of the office is for five years unless the Assembly is dissolved prior to the
completion of the term.
The judiciary is composed of the Odisha High Court, located at Cuttack, and a system of lower
courts.

Odisha has been divided into 30 districts. These 30 districts have been placed under three
different revenue divisions to streamline their governance. The divisions are North, South, and
Central, with their headquarters at Sambalpur, Berhampur, and Cuttack respectively. Each
division consists of ten districts and has a Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) as its
administrative head. The position of the RDC in the administrative hierarchy is that between
that of the district administration and the state secretariat. The RDCs report to the Board of
Revenue, which is headed by a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service.

Each district is governed by a Collector and District Magistrate, who is appointed from the
Indian Administrative Service. The Collector and District Magistrate is responsible for
collecting the revenue and maintaining law and order in the district. Each District is separated
into Sub-Divisions, each governed by a Sub-Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The
Sub-Divisions are further divided into Tahasils. The Tahasils are headed by Tahasildar. Odisha
has 58 Sub-Divisions, 317 Tahasils, and 314 Blocks. Blocks consist of Panchayats (village
councils) and town municipalities.

The capital and largest city of the state is Bhubaneswar. The other major cities are Cuttack,
Rourkela, Berhampur, and Sambalpur. Municipal Corporations in Odisha include
Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rourkela.
Other municipalities of Odisha include Angul, Balangir, Balasore, Barbil, Bargarh, Baripada,
Belpahar, Bhadrak, Bhawanipatna, Biramitrapur, Boudh, Brajarajnagar, Byasanagar,
Chhatrapur, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Gopalpur, Gunupur, Hinjilicut, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur,
Jeypore, Jharsuguda, Joda, Kendrapara, Kendujhar, Khordha, Konark, Koraput, Malkangiri,
Nabarangpur, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Paradeep, Paralakhemundi, Phulbani, Puri, Rajgangpur,
Rayagada, Sonepur, Sundargarh, Talcher, Titilagarh and Umerkote.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 Figure 1.2 Location of the Study Area (Odisha)

Map 1.2 Odisha Map Showing the

Map 1.1 India Map Showing the
Subdivisions of Odisha
location of Odisha
Image Source: Infoandopinion -
Image Source: - Wikimedia
Commons

5. STUDY REPORT

i. History of Odisha’s Panchayat

In 1948 ‘The Odisha Gram Panchayat Act’ was passed by the Odisha Assembly. It provided
the basis for the lowest fora, i.e., one panchayat per village. However, its implementation got
delayed due to various then-in-situ factors. In 1952 the indo-us joint effort of the multi-purpose
‘community development programs’ (CDP), with a block development officer (BDO), was
initiated in select sites of India, including Odisha. In 1955, the Anchal Sasan Act was passed
in Orissa. It provided for the lowest rural platform and created the ‘anchaladhikari’ with its
own cadre officers to be paid out of the anchal fund. The ‘panchayat Samiti’ (same as
commitiatta) was the 2nd tier being comprised mainly of the sarpanches& nominated members
with the block development officer (BDO) in the chair. All this transpiring mostly out of
‘Orissa Gram Panchayat Samiti Act – 1959’ (the same year of B R Mehta Comm.), which in
turn had the IV Schedule of the peerless Indian Constitution as the guiding star. However, rag-
tag and/or crass the ‘Orissa acts’ may have been, this means, Odisha had a pre-existing concept
of a two-tier system (the uppermost 3rd tier was not in place). In 1959 came the report of Govt.
of India constituted Balwant Mehta Chaired ‘Committee on Democratic Decentralization’ that
prescribed the three-tire system with the ‘gram Sabha’ as the basic lowest unit; panchayat
Samiti as the mid rung being marked by community development blocks (CDB) and Zilla
Parishad (ZP) as the apex body located in the dist., HQ. We are of the considered view that
the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee effort had the Odisha model among its precedence. How
far that has been acknowledged needs inquest. On 23 June 1961, Late Mr. Biju Patnaik assumed
the chair of the CM of Odisha and created a new, ‘Dept., of Community Development &
Panchayati Raj’, leading to the ‘Orissa Gram Panchayat Act-1964’.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

This Act devolved more power to the panchayats than what was envisaged by the B.R. Mehta
Committee. It provided reservations for women, SC & ST among a plethora of other firsts.
Social & economic change was the heart & soul. Many states followed suit. In all such regards,
the Union govt. was constantly lagging and\or being out-raced by the federal provinces. Such
regional examples, experiences necessitated the 73rd& the 74th Constitutional Amendment
Act of India -1993

ii. Panchayati raj institution (PRIs) in Odisha

Rural development is the main pillar of state development. Rural Orissa has lagged in
development because of many historical reasons. The thrust of policies and programs of the
Panchayati Raj department is on all-round economic development and social justice through
empowerment. Orissa Grama Panchayat Act was enacted in the year 1948. Subsequently, in
the year 1961. A 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions was introduced in Orissa. Over
the last 50 years, Panchayati Raj Institutions have emerged as powerful institutions in bringing
about rapid and sustainable development and socio-economic transformation in rural Orissa. It
has an integrated perspective towards improving the quality of lives of rural people and
ensuring equity and effective peoples’ participation. 73rd Amendment of the Constitution has
conferred constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Provisions of Panchayats
(Extension to Scheduled Areas) The act aims at empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions in
Scheduled areas for economic development and social justice. In the year 2002, the election to
3 tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions held in conformity with 73rd Amendment and PESA
thereby empowering tribal people as envisaged under the PESA. The Government has the
obligation to bring up Panchayati Raj Institutions as Institutions of Self Government as per the
73rd amendment of the Constitution of India 1992. 73rd Amendment marks a new era in the
federal set up of the country. The prime objectives of the three tiers Panchayati Raj System
are to eradicate poverty, uplift standard of the living of people in rural areas, and bring about a
healthy society by creating awareness for hygiene, sanitation, and eradication of illiteracy. The
state has established a State Election Commissioner to conduct the election of PRIs. The 73rd
amendment of the Constitution mandates the Government to endow the Panchayati Raj
Institutions with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as
institutions of self-Government. It also provides that powers and responsibility shall be
devolved upon PRIs subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, concerning the
preparation of plans for economic development and social justice and implementation of
schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including
those listed in the 11th Schedule. Panchayats at village levels are expected to perform certain
obligatory functions to provide basic services to all the people living in the area. Gram
Panchayats in Orissa have been empowered to levy taxes and manage community assets created
out of different poverty eradication and area development schemes. They as constitutional
bodies represent the model of community participation and social empowerment. Basic
services among others include:
 Primary education
 Primary health
 Safe Drinking water

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

  Sanitation and street lighting
 Environment protection
 Common property resources (CPR) management

iii. Present Structure & Functions

The dept. has two composite directorates (i) Director Gram Panchayats in charge of all works
related to panchayat administration and functioning of the three tiers, this includes all excluding
special projects (ii) Director, Special Projects. He monitors the District Rural Development
Agency (DRDA) for the implementation of poverty eradication programs. The system due to
its wide-spread effect apparently has a cumbersome set-up cum file movement mechanism,
which surely shall of the years become more and more straightened.

The three tiers and their functions:

1. Gram Panchayat
Gram Panchayat is the bottom of the three-tier Panchayati Raj System in Orissa. It was
constituted as per the Orissa Gram Panchayat Act, 1964. A Group of contiguous villages
constitutes one Gram. The population of a Grama is more than 2000 and less than 10,000 for
each Grama there shall be a GramaSasan. The Grama Sasan is a corporate body. The office
and headquarters of the Grama Sasan are situated with the limits of the Grama. Grama Sasan
is otherwise known as ‘Gram Sabha’ in Orissa. It meets at least two times, one in February and
the other in June, every year. The quorum for the meetings is one-tenth of the total members
of the Grama Sasan. There is one Grama Panchayat for each Grama Sasan. It is the executive
authority of the GramaSasan. After the constitution of a Grama, the Collector of the District
determines the number of wards following Article 243(C) of the Constitution. Normally a
village is composed of one or more than one ward. The total number of wards of a Grama
Panchayat cannot be less than 11 and more than 25. Each Panchayat area is to be divided into
different territorial constituencies(wards).
Composition:
The gram panchayat is divided into wards and each ward is represented by a Ward Member or
Commissioner, also referred to as a Panch or Panchayat Member, who is directly elected by
the villagers. The panchayat is chaired by the president of the village, known as a Sarpanch.
It should be divided in such a manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency
and the number of seats allotted to it shall be the same throughout the Panchayat area. Grama
Panchayat is constituted with one Sarpanch, one Naib- Sarpanch, and Ward Members.
In village level, the sarpanch/samiti member/ ward member participate in the election as
Independent Candidate with their respective symbol.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Tenure:
The panchayat is chaired by the president of the village, known as a Sarpanch. The term of the
elected representatives is five years. The Secretary of the panchayat is a non-elected
representative, appointed by the state government, to oversee panchayat activities.

Oath: (According to Section 107)

Every member, Adhyaksha or Up-Adhyaksha of the Zilla Parishad and every Member, Pradhan
or Up-Pradhan of a Gram Panchayat shall before take his seat, make at a meeting of the Zilla
Parishad or Gram Panchayat as the case may be, an oath or affirmation of his allegiance to the
Constitution of India in the following form, namely: --
I, ............................................................... being a Member/Adhyaksha/Up-
Adhyaksha/Pradhan/ Up-Pradhan of the.................................... do swear in the name of God
(or solemnly affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by
law established and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter.

Sources of Revenue/ Finance:

As per section 93 of the Orissa Gram Panchayat Act, for every Grama Panchayat, there shall
be a fund known as 'Grama Fund'. Grama fund is placed to the Grama Panchayat. All money
received from the Government and income of the Grama Panchayat shall be deposited in the
Grama Fund. The Grama fund shall be deposited in any Nationalized Savings Bank or nearest
Post Office or Treasury.

Following are the main sources of revenue of the Grama Panchayat. It raises money through
taxes, fees, and Government taxes.
a) Vehicles tax,
b) Latrine or conservancy tax,
c) Water- rate where water is supplied by the Gram Panchayat.
d) Lighting taxes, where the lighting of public streets is provided. Drainage tax, Fees on
private markets, cart sheds.
e) Fees on animals sold in a public market controlled by a Grama Panchayat, Fees for
regulating the movement of cattle for the protection of crops.
f) Fees for use of any building, shops, stalls, pens of stands in the market, rent from
contractor's temporarily occupying open grounds or any building maintained by the
Grama Panchayat.
g) Any other tax, fee as may be decided by the Grama Panchayat subject to the approval
of the State Government.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Functions, Power and Duties:
The main objective of the Grama Panchayat is rural development. Section 44 and 45 of the
Orissa Grama Panchayat Act specify the functions and power of Grama Panchayat. The
functions of the Grama Panchayat have been divided into two, obligatory or compulsory and
optional or discretionary. The following are the obligatory or compulsory functions of the
Grama Panchayat.
a) It constructs, repairs, maintains and improvises the public roads.
b) It makes provision for lighting and cleanse of public roads and other important public
places.
c) It constructs, maintains and cleanse drains and public latrines, urinals etc.
d) For the purposes of supply and storage of drinking water, it constructs, repairs and
maintains tanks, wells or tube wells etc.
e) It makes adequate arrangements for scavenging, removal and disposal of filth, rubbish
and other obnoxious polluted matters. It takes steps for preventing and checking the
spread of epidemic or infected diseases.
f) It maintains records of birth, death and marriages. It prepares the census reports of
human being and animals and registration of animal sold.
g) It protects, maintains and develops all properties entrusted to the management of the
Grama Panchayat. It regulates and controls the movement of cattle for protection of
crops
h) It renders all reasonable assistance to the Panchayat Samiti for establishing and
maintaining primary education. It supervises and maintains social conservation work.
i) It regulates ‘melas', fairs, and festivals and maintains markets, hats and cart stands. It
implements schemes for agricultural extension. It takes measures for rural housing.
j) It undertakes poverty alleviation, women and child welfare programmers’ takes steps
for social welfare including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded persons
and public distribution system.

2. Panchayat Samiti
The panchayat samiti is the middle rung of the Panchayati raj. Its CEO cum chief financial
officer (draw & disbursement officer) is the BDO. Since 2000 such chair has been seeing
Class-I officer(s) of the State cadre (normally of the status of sub-collector and or additional
dist. Magistrate). The Collector cum District Magistrate (super time scale – central cadre
officer) is the CEO and also the chief financial officer cum chief electoral head of that district.
This apart there are Directors and Project Directors many of who are central cadre officers.
They are officially known as the ‘Field Officers’ of the Panchayati Raj Dept. Thus, come in
the India’s Steel Frame (bureaucracy) in an effective manner in myriads of ways from the 2nd
tier onwards. When such officers conduct office the arm of the law is at attention in and around,
all the while. Odisha panchayat election 2012 has proven that such mechanism can unite the
ultra & the altruistic in the service of the nation (may be with limps & jumps). The meeting
grounds being the offices in the dist. HQ & Block offices.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Composition:
The Panchayat Samiti shall have an elected Chairman with twenty members. All the sarpanches
are the members of the panchayat samiti. The elected representatives are authorized to co-opt
two women members interested in matters relating to women and children. At least one from
the Scheduled caste and one from the Scheduled tribe consti-tuting 5 % of the total population
of the Panchayat Samiti area should be co-opted.
Apart from these two members from the local area, who have rich experience in administration,
public life or rural development must also be co-opted in the body. Cooperatives within the
jurisdiction of Panchayat Samiti should also be represented. The elected body of Panchayat
Samiti, along with co-opted members, shall remain in office for five years.

Tenure:
The samiti is elected for five years and is headed by a chairman and deputy chairman elected
by the members of the panchayat samiti. One sarpanch samiti supervises the other gram
panchayats. It acts as a coordinating body between district panchayat and gram panchayat.

Committees under Panchayat Samiti:

1. Planning and Production Committee
2. Appointment Committee
3. Co-operation and Industries Committee
4. Education Committee
5. Women Welfare Committee
6. Social Welfare Committee
7. Communication Committee
8. Taxation and Finance Committee, etc.

Each Committee consists of few samiti members including samiti president. The samiti
president is the chairman of all the committees. These committees provide guidance and
direction for panning, implementation and evaluation of various programs and activities related
to the mandates of the committee.

Sources of Revenue/ Finance:

The Committee recommended the following sources of finance for the governance of
Panchayat Samiti.
1. A fixed percentage of land revenue collected within the block area
2. Cess on land revenue, water rate
3. Tax on professions and trade
4. Surcharge on duty on the transfer of immovable property
5. Rents and profits accruing from property, for example, ferries, fisheries

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 6. Tolls and leases of roads
7. Pilgrim tax
8. Tax on entertainment
9. Primary education cess
10. Proceeds from periodical fares and markets
11. A share of the motor
12. Voluntary public corporations; and
13. Grants from the government

Main Functions:
Planning, execution & supervision of all works within the block; supervision over the GPs;
education; management of trusts and endowments (coastal rural Odisha has plenty – to her long
independent history); Budget.

3. Zilla Parishad
The top most tier is that of the Zilla Parishad having umbilical connection with the ‘Orissa Zilla
Parishad Act - 1991. The term ZP denotes ‘district council’. Its seat is the dist. H.Q., that is
same as that of the seat of the Collector cum Dist. Magistrate. All parishad members being
elected people. The head and the dy-head being known as President and as Vice President,
respectively. One of the either incumbent has to be a lady. Women participation in the
panchayat movement has been a hallmark ever since. The President is elected by the elected
members of the new parishad in its 1st meeting.

Composition:
The Parishad shall consist of the following members, namely:

1. one member elected directly on the basis of adult suffrage from every constituency
within the [Parishad area];
2. Chairman of each Samiti situated within the district.
3. every member of the House of the People and of the State Legislative Assembly
representing constituencies which comprise wholly or partly the area of the Parishad;
4. members of the Council of States who are registered as electors within the area of the
Parishad.

Tenure:
Members of the Zila Parishad are elected from the district on the basis of adult franchise for a
term of five years. Zila Parishad has minimum of 50 and maximum of 75 members. There are
seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and women.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Oath:
Every elected member [including the President and the Vice-President] of the Parishad shall,
before taking his seat, make at a meeting of the Parishad an oath or affirmation of his allegiance
to the Constitution of India in the following form, namely:
"I............. having become [a member/the President/the Vice-President] of the Parishad, swear
in the name of God/Solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution
of India as by law established that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about
to enter."

Sources of Revenue/ Finance:

Fixed grant from the State Government in proportion with the land revenue and money for
works and schemes assigned to the Parishad. The Zila Parishad can collect some money from
the panchayats with the approval of the government.

Main Functions:
New areas being, hospitals, dispensary, minor education. Operation Black Board; Kendu Leaf
Matter; etc. Debate & discuss the laws, rules, orders, implement and supervise. All central;
state and finance commission sponsored scheme.

iv. Odisha Panchayat Raj Acts

1. Gram Panchayat Act 1964

As it stands now, the village elect the ‘gram panchayat’. It is not much different from the
erstwhile ‘gram-Sabha’. The gram panchayat is a full-fledged elected body (no executive mix).
It comprises of elected members, the Sarpanch and the naibSarpanch. The Sarpanch is directly
elected. The Naib-Sarpanch is elected by the ward members in the 1st meeting. This provides
the scope for the best or the most maverick in the group to get elevated – if per chance she/he
has missed the sarpanch post – which is quite possible due to the democratic process. The body
must comprise 50% women and certain percentage of SC &ST members. This means merely
not gender based reservation at the lowest rung of the Indian parliamentary system. It means
the indo home system is incorporated into India administration. The gram panchayats in
Odisha have their own tenement(s). Some quite old that they need renovation. They speak
volumes about the taste for and age of Panchayati and traditions in this part of the world. Gram
Panchayat shall have the power to regulate procurement and trading of minor forest produce
whether produced in Government lands or forest areas within the limits of the Gram or and
trading of collected from Reserve Forests and brought into the Gram. All produces of forest
owned by state or central govt. or any of the tiers of the Panchayat, would be brought to be
notification of the gram panchayat. The Main Functions: Maintenance of village roads
(including gram Sadakyojana); wells; water bodies; schools; burial & cremation grounds;
sanitation; public health; lighting; libraries; reading rooms; community centers; birth & death
records.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 2. Panchayat Samiti 1960

 Every Standing Committee shall consist of Five members in case of a Samiti having
twenty or more elected members; or
Composition of the Standing Committee – three members in case of a Samiti having
less than twenty elected members.
 The Chairman and members of the Standing Committees shall be elected by and from
among the elected members of the Samiti Provided that in case of Standing Committee
as referred to in Clause (d) of Sub-rule (1) of Rule 3, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman
whoever be woman shall be the Chairman and only woman members shall be elected
to such Standing Committees.
 The Block Development Officer shall be the ex-officio Secretary of all.

Standing Committees
The respective Standing Committee of the Samiti shall deal with the matters for which it has
been constituted.
Functions of the Standing Committee –
Every Standing Committee
a. shall review the matters placed before it in relation to the subjects or schemes as
assigned to it and prepare plans and projects thereof and furnish its recommendations
to the Samiti
b. shall ensure proper implementations of the plans and projects prepared by them and
shall be responsible for the financial and physical achievements in respect of the
schemes and programmed assigned to them

Function of the Samiti –

a. The recommendations of the Standing Committee shall be placed before the Samiti in
finalizing the programmed and in allocation of the resources.
b. The implementation of the recommendations of the Standing Committee shall be
subject to the decision of the Samiti Provided that it shall be competent for the Samiti
to revise or modify any such recommendation as it may deem proper.

3. Zilla Parishad Act 1994

A number of reforms, functions and powers were given to the Zilla Parishad through this Act.
The following are few of the functions of the Zilla Parishad.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Every Parishad shall have the power to:
a. Undertake schemes or adopt measures including giving of financial assistance relating
to the development of agriculture, social forestry, livestock, industries, co-operative
movement, rural credit, water-supply, distribution of essential commodities, rural
electrification including distribution of electricity, minor irrigation, public health
and sanitation including establishment of dispensaries and hospitals, communications,
primary, secondary and adult education including welfare and other objects of general
public utility.
b. Undertake execution of any scheme, performance' or management of any institution
entrusted to the Government or any other authority from time to time. Manage or
maintain any work of public utility or any institution vested in it or under its control
and management. Giant aid to any school, public library, public institution or public
welfare organization within the district;
c. Contribute such sums as may be agreed upon towards the cost of maintenance of any
institution situated outside the district which is beneficial to and habitually used by the
inhabitants of the district. Establish scholarships or award stipends within the State for
the furtherance of technical or other special forms of education. Acquire and maintain
village hats and markets either directly or through the Panchayat Samitis or Grama
Panchayats.
d. Make grants to Samitis or Grama Panchayats within the district; contribute, with the
approval of Government, such sums as it may decide towards the cost of water-supply
or anti-epidemic measures undertaken by a Municipality or Notified Area Council
within the district. Adopt measures for the relief of distress.
e. Co-ordinate and integrate the development plans and the schemes prepared by a Samiti
in the district. Examine and approve the budget estimates of Samitis in the e district
prepare, execute end supervise the district plan relating to –
 Monitoring and supervision of programmed like Jawahar Roger Yojana
(J.R.Y.) to be directly implemented by Grama Panchayat and Panchayat
Samitis
 Implementation of anti-poverty programmed and monitoring supervision
thereof; discharge of responsibilities and functions as assigned to the District
Rural Development Agency from time to time.

v. Election Aspects
Article 243-K of the Indian Constitution envisages that the superintendence, direction and
control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections consisting
of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor. State Government
published the Orissa Panchayati Raj Election Commission Rule 1994 (Appointment Condition
of Service and Miscellaneous Provision) in the extraordinary issue of Orissa Gazette on January
31st 1994. Mr. D.K. Mishra, was the First State Election Commissioner. It is not known as to
whether similar exercise (election under State Election Commissioner – party based support –
multi-angular contest, approved symbol based; etc.) is done in Kerala & Karnataka 1 Rule
2(d) of the Orissa Grama Panchayat Election Rules-1965, Rule 2(e) of Orissa Panchayat
Samiti Election Rules-1991 and Rule 2(f) of Orissa Zilla Parishad Election Rules-1994 declares

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

the Collector of the district as the designated Election Officer and such The Election Officer
appoints Presiding, Polling Officers, and Observers for conduct of elections at polling stations.
Symbol based universal & frank elections was held 1st in 1992 and then in 2012. In between
there have been many elections. The first pan Odisha universal adult franchise based frank
election was held in 1992 involving 5264 panchayats (said to have been held after a lapse of
8yrs). Use of symbols by candidates in that election could not been determined by us. It was
a nice little beginning. However, such movement witnessed negative fillip during the period
1995-2000. The next general elections were held in 02-2012 (after a lapse of 10 yrs.).

Odisha Panchayat General Elections – 2012

This election was conducted by The Odisha State Election Commissioner. Candidates had
party-based support; apart independent candidates; multi-angular contest in almost all seats,
approved symbol were issued by the commission; every aspect was monitored by the State
Election Commissions, etc., Three sets of symbols were reserved for the three tiers.
Meticulous planning, speed and execution were the other hall marks. The incumbent CM and
the stalwarts of the opposition and the ruling side camped, toured every district holding election
rallies and sovayatra (road shows). Political manifestos were put up, published and distributed.
It was a never before exercise with never before experience. It is not known if such method
and modus is done in Kerala & Karnataka which score high on the indicator indices. An
average of 63% of the rural census i.e., around 2.4 crore voters turned out to vote and elected
(82% being the highest) over 1,00,841 village level leaders (with 3 re-polling) consisting of
87,528 ward members and 6228 sarpanches, 6231 panchayat samiti nominees, and 854 at the
Zilla parishad respectively. Number of candidates filing nomination, the disqualified number,
and other categories including demographic break-ups remain due to be ascertained. If we
assume the rural census as 300,000,00 and the elected panchayat level representatives’ numbers
be put at 100,000 it then it works out to an order of 1 elected representative for every 30 head
& mouths (300,000 ÷ 100,000 = 1:30 ratio). This has indeed devolved democracy down to the
roots and has taken into its swath all the stake holders. This is enviable. The 50% reservation
for women was put into force along with much publicity during 2012. The ruling side (BJD)
focused on its un-tainted leadership; developmental issues; schemes for mother and child,
bicycle for the girl child, etc. This led to a large turnout of women voters (of all age groups) to
the advantage of Naveen Patnaik. This itself was another milestone in electioneering among
the democracies of the world. On A selective study has been done on Ganjam as it is one of the
districts there. A total of 3989 candidates were elected unopposed in Ganjam dist., of which
2115 were women. Of this, 2014 have been elected as ward members, 49 as sarpanches, 51 as
nominees to samitis and just one as zilla parishad member. The present corp. of panchayats
shall hold office till end 2017. It is a 5 yr., term. The next assembly &Lok Sabha elections are
due in 2019. The timing of Odissi panchayat general elections have been judiciously crafted.
Odisha has 30districts, 314 Blocks & 6234 villages.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 Handicapped
Physically

<40 years
Number

Women
Level

Total
Sl.

OBC
Post

SC

ST
No.

30
President,
Zilla 30
1. Vice-President
6 12 8 11 30 Nk Nk
Parishad 7948
Member
54
Chairman, 314
Panchayat Vice- 314
2. 39 147 57 124 314 Nk Nk
Samiti Chairman 55996
Member 227
Sarpanch, 6234
Gram Naib- 6234
3. 729 2388 2698 2213 6234 Nk Nk
Panchayat Sarpanch 8131393
Ward Member 781
TOTAL 100862 837 2547 2763 2213 xx xx xx
Table 1.1 provides the pan Odisha scenario post panchayat general election 2012.

Nk – Not known, yet information about such status must be the records.

Ganjam District in numbers: A Select Case

Total Census Males Females Ratio SC ST
Odisha 41,947,358 NK NK 1:09 16.53% 22.13%
Ganjam 35,29031 1,779,281 1,749,813 1:02:1 688,235 118,928
Table 1.2 Odisha state Vs. Ganjam Electoral Demography (This table permits a demographic compare between the full province of
Odisha & Ganjam dist.)
Source: Odisha’s Panchayati Raj website.
NK – Not known, yet information about such status must be the records.

Other demographic human geography-based indicators show Ganjam as a good choice for
comparative studies
No. of
District BJD INC BJP CPI CPM
Contestant
Ganjam 69 60 4 2 2 1
Table 1.3 Ganjam: Party based strength/position of the ZP
Source: Odisha’s Panchayati Raj website

Elected Vice
District Zilla Parishad Elected President
President
Surath Chandra
GANJAM GANJAM Sujata Rani Pali
Pradhan
Table 1.4 Ganjam ZP (Ganjam district is a ZP for the whole of the district – HQ: Chhatarpur.)
Source: Odisha’s Panchayati Raj website

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

 No. of No. of
No. of
ZP Panchayat Female Male Vice Female Male
Chairmen
Samitis Chancellor
Ganjam 22 22 15 7 22 15 7
Ganjam ZP has 22 PS and one of the PS is by the name Ganjam.
Ganjam is a CDB and has a BDO.
Table 1.5 Ganjam Panchayat Samiti
Source: Odisha’s Panchayati Raj website

No. of
Name of No. of No. of
Female Male
Naib Female Male
the PS GP Sarpanch
Sarpanch
Ganjam 14 14 5 9 14 5 9
Ganjam PS has 14 GPs and one of the GP is by the name of Ganjam
Table 1.6 Ganjam GP
Source: Odisha’s Panchayati Raj website

Index: ZP ~ Zillaparishad; PS~ Panchayat Samiti; GP ~ Gram Panchayat.

NOTE: I have selected Ganjam because it being the CM’s district chances of availability of
data on the net should be good (validation). Ganjam can most comfortably be reached by the
Indian railways and by the Indian national highways; can also be reached via private small
aircrafts (Berhampur Uni. Campus airport). Is known for bountiful agriculture, luscious rice,
sturdy build, high population density.

vi. Public Dissent

Jhodia community of Koraput District boycotted the polls on the demand that they should be
declared as a Scheduled Tribe. No election could be held in three zones of this tribal block. No
force, no force majeure, no police action, no central forces, no para-military, nothing is noted.
It is the referendum. This is the beauty of the panchayat system. Elsewhere, the anti-POSCO
movement candidates of Jagatsingpur lost fared miserably, though the election was held
peacefully. Through the ballot, the villagers said ‘we need industry, employment, etc.’
However, the election for the Dhinkia panchayat, the epi-center was deferred (held now).
People celebrated grass-root democracy.

Abduction
The Odisha govt., could not keep its word of permitting one Naxal member as the vice-
president (we are not aware of the compulsions). This led to the long period abduction of the
local MLA (Laxmipur-Koraput), Mr. Jinna Hikka. The Naxals relented at last.

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

Naxal & Panchayats
Again, for the first time, Maoists too took part in the panchayat elections winning unopposed
two tribal-dominated districts in western Odisha. In south Odisha, they had initially given a
call to boycott the elections in Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Koraput, Nuapada, and Nayagargh (S
& SW Odisha). But subsequently (due to perusal by the local administrations), they put up
candidates and ensured that no one else contested. Thus, they won in 30 blocks. About 25,000
ward members and 32 sarpanches have been elected unopposed in those blocks. The people
who came out to vote were obviously all Naxals or sympathizers. No small numbers. They
permitted booths to be set up, with inter-district officials manning them, vehicle movement,
etc. This is social change. This is what the world craves for. The Odisha general panchayat
elects brought to fore the interesting fact that union political and or bureaucratic response was
not vis-à-vis stimulus. It was more based on self, pelf, and profit.

Huge Success
The fact that Naxals adopted the electoral way to participate at the village-to-dist., levels
tantamount to a paradigm shift from their earlier stands. That they have come out in the open
reposes faith in the system administered by the election commission system/mechanism. It may
be likened to the event of an armistice with Brigadier Silo and or with Laldenga.
Such events tell us that our founding fathers were so very right. Deriding such a democratic
and pluralistic process is an exhibition of guile loaded vehemence and abysmal ignorance. It is
a huge success of the state bureaucracy and the state home dept. In the end, democracy won.
The trust of the founding fathers in the federal form got vetted. The year 2012 is a red-lettered
one in the annals of the Panchayati raj movement and grass-root democracy in India. All these
are bound to make changes in the social and economic aspects of the Odisha societies and India
at large.

Deriding Odisha Panchayat Elections – 2012

This is a sub-section of the above section (i.e., Naxal & Panchayat matter). The Union Minister
for Panchayats (2012-13), ironically\idiotically, suggested to the State Government that it
should stop all the development funds to these panchayats (news report). But the Odisha State
Assembly rejected such mindless, unethical, undemocratic suggestion. Because, if the
Mahatma or the Utkalamani would have been around, they would have gone down to meet the
Naxals to congratulate on their maiden participation in India's democratic process (for having
taken the all-important 1st step). Democracy is a step-by-step process. It is not available in
the shop. The CEO of the panchayats is the Collector cum District Magistrate. When the
Block level body (Panchayat Samiti) meets there are the police on duty. When the District level
body (Zilla Parishad) meets there are at least 2 -IAS officers and at least 2-IPS officers on duty
with scores of policemen and other officials. Even the Deputy Inspector General of Police and
the Revenue Divisional Commissioner; etc. remain alert & sounded. Hence the topic is more
relevant. The said Union Minister for Panchayats was neither censored by his party nor by the
PM or the President of India, nor by due process of law. In a sense, Odisha Assembly did that.
Such utterances are historically impolite. It seems he never lived in the villages. His averments

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

sought to make India fight Indians. It sought to defeat & debuccalize the Panchayati raj
movement in India. Also, tantamount as that the union administration cares not.
It clearly did not want any devolution of powers because it would lead to loss of control of the
purse strings. By failing and deferring devolution of power they seek to keep India week and
infirm and keep ruling the roost. It is the hidden agenda.

vii. Ranking of States Based on Devolution of Funds, Functions and

Functionaries to PRIs
Every year, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj conducts a study to assess the extent of devolution
to PRIs by States/UTs through an independent agency. The assessment is carried out in two
stages as indicated below:
In the first stage, States/UTs were evaluated against the four mandatory Constitutional
requirements as mentioned below:
a. Establishing the State Election Commission.
b. Holding PRIs elections every five years.
c. Establishing State Finance Commissions.
d. Setting up of District Planning Committees.
States that fulfilled each of the above-mentioned fundamental requirements qualified for
second stage assessment, i.e., assessment in terms of various indicators of DI, aimed at
assessing the status of devolution of 3Fs. There were 34 indicators (five related to functions,
fifteen to finance, and fourteen to functionaries.

2009
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
-10
Incremental

Incremental

Incremental
Rank on DI

Cumulative

Cumulative

Cumulative
Rank on

Rank on

Rank on

Rank on

Rank on

Rank on
States

DI

DI

DI

DI

DI

DI

West
4 4 9 7 NA 6 NA
Bengal
Kerala 1 1 2 1 NA 3 9
Karnataka 2 2 4 2 4 2 1
Gujarat 7 NA 11 10 NA 10 NA
Odisha 12 15 17 13 NA 11 4
Table 1.7 Comparative statement of ranking of states on devolution index (Di) for the last 4 years.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj website

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

6. CONCLUSION
The decentralization is not a new concept. Its presence can be traced back to the formation of
political society by the civilized people. As a political society by the civilized people. As a
political concept it assumed greater importance in modem political process. The increase in the
complexity in the lives of men, demands more and more decentralization in all walks of life.
Decentralization of the authority by the political and administrative units, to the local people
or local authorities is a must for the successful manning of a democratic system.
The main determinants of the decentralization are policy consideration, geographical
imperatives, historical, political and economic factors that are prevailing in particulars country.
The decentralization can be broadly divided into political, administrative, fiscal and economic
or market decentralization. In the same way there are different forms by which decentralization
can be achieved viz, deconcentration, delegation devolution, privatization and de-regulation.
There are four different approaches to the concept of decentralization namely, the doctrinal,
the political the administrative and the dual role.
The study brought out a few of the following findings:
 The per capita revenue and expenditure of Odisha panchayats is far below than the
states like Karnataka, Gujarat and Kerala.
 According to the 73rd Amendment Act, Odisha government should have constituted
four State Finance commissions by now. However currently only three have been
formed while the submission of ATR of the 3rd State Finance Commission is still under
process.
 Elections haven’t properly been conducted in accordance with the provisions of the
73rd Amendment Act.
 Out of the 29 subjects only 11 subjects have been assigned to the panchayats in Odisha.

7. REFERENECES
 www.panchayat.gov.in
 odishapanchayat.gov.in
 https://www.researchgate.net

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU

pg. Shrimayee Debasmita, Enrolment no.- 19570016, DPLAD, IGNOU