India has a three-tier federal structure comprising of the Union, State and Local Self-Governments. Local Self Government implies the decentralization and devolution of democratic powers to the people. It is a system of self governance through autonomous institutions like the Panchayats (village councils) and the Municipalities (town councils).
The 73rd Constitution Amendment Act and the 74th Amendment Act provided directions for creating Panchayats in the rural areas and Muncipalities in the urban regions. Their composition varies with the proportion to the ratio between the population of the rural and urban areas of state. Article 243 of the Constitution of India provides the states to empower these Panchayats and Municipalities “with such power and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as Institution of self-government”
Rajasthan is one of the foremost states that initiated the system of local government and the first Panchayat was inaugurated by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on 2nd October 1959 at Naugaur.
Currently Rajasthan have 32 districts that are divided into 241 tehsils, 237 Panchayat Samities, 9,184 village panchayats and 183 municipalities.
Recently a State Finance Commission has been set up in the state for reviewing the financial status of the panchayats and municipalities and also for recommending measures for their betterment.
Panchayats- Rajasthan was one of the main states where the3 tier Panchayati Raj System was introduced and the first Panchayat came into existence in Naguar in the year 1959.There are about 237 Panchayat Samities and 9,184 village panchayats in the state. Elections to these panchayats are often held that are directed and supervised by the State Council.
Municipalities- “Municipality” means an organization of self-government constituted under article 243Q.The state of Rajasthan has 183 Municipalities. Rajasthan has a Municipal Council and a Municipal Corporation that is responsible for preparing the plans for economic and social development and social justice. Municipalities also have the power to impose taxes.
