Role of Village Panchayat in Rural Development

The grassroot units of local self government have been considered as instruments of socio-economic development in rural India. Involvement of people at the grassroot level is the most important means of bringing about socio-economic development. Panchayat Raj is defined as institutional expression of democratic decentralization in India. Decentralization of power to the panchayats is seen as a means of empowering people and involving them in decision-making process. Local governments being closer to the people can be more responsible to local needs and can make better use of resources. The democratic system in a country can be ensured only if there is mass participation in the governance. Therefore the system of democratic decentralization popularly known as Panchayat Raj is considered as an instrument to ensure democracy and socio-economic development.