National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated in India every year on April 24th. This day marks the anniversary of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, which established a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj institutions, comprising elected local governments at the village, block, and district levels.
The main objective of the Panchayati Raj system is to promote democratic decentralization and empower rural communities by providing them with the means to participate in decision-making and undertake local development initiatives.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an integrated eGramSwaraj and GeM portal for public procurement at Panchayat level on 14 April 2023. The objective of eGramSwaraj – Government eMarketplace integration is to enable the Panchayats to procure their goods and services through GeM, leveraging the eGramSwaraj platform.
History : Panchayati Raj system
The Panchayati Raj system was first introduced in the state of Rajasthan in India on October 2, 1959. This was done through the Rajasthan Panchayat Act, which established a three-tier system of local self-governance in the state comprising of Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads. The system was later adopted by other states in India, and the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, made it a constitutional mandate to establish Panchayati Raj institutions in every state of India.
Q.: When is National Panchayati Raj Day celebrated in India?
a) March 24th
b) April 24th
c) May 24th
d) June 24th
Answer: b) April 24th
Q.: Which state in India introduced the Panchayati Raj system first?
a) Maharashtra
b) Gujarat
c) Rajasthan
d) Punjab
Answer: c) Rajasthan
