PART IX: THE PANCHAYATS
(Note: This section only covers the first article, Art. 243, as requested. The detailed articles 243A-243O follow it.)
Article 243: Definitions.
- Plain English: This article is a “dictionary” for all the terms used in the new “Panchayati Raj” (local self-government) section.
- (a) “district”: Means a regular district in a state.
- (b) “Gram Sabha”: This is the “village assembly.” It means the body of all registered voters in a village. It is the foundation of the entire system.
- Real-World Example: When a “Gram Sabha” meets, it’s not just the 11 elected “panch” members; it’s all 500 voters of the village, who have the right to attend, discuss, and approve the budget or plans presented by the Panchayat.
- (c) “intermediate level”: This is the “block” or “taluka” level. It’s the level between the village and the district.
- (d) “Panchayat”: This is the institution of self-government (by whatever name it’s called) for rural areas.
- (e) “Panchayat area”: The physical territory that a Panchayat has jurisdiction over.
- (f) “population”: Refers to the population from the last official census.
- (g) “village”: A village (or group of hamlets) as officially declared by the Governor.
