Context:

Recently, the 2024 Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI), which published by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and based on a study by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), provided comprehensive study on panchayat system of India.

Key Findings:

• Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the top three states in the Panchayat Devolution Index for 2024, reflecting their consistent and robust performance in empowering local bodies.
• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have seen the biggest improvements in recent years, making notable strides in strengthening panchayats.
• Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand have recorded the lowest scores, indicating major governance challenges in these regions.
• Notably, Maharashtra, which was once a top scorer, saw a decline, though it still ranked fourth overall in the 2024 index.

Growth in Panchayat Representation

• Since 2013-14, the number of panchayats in India has increased from 2.48 lakh to 2.62 lakh. States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh continue to lead in the number of panchayats, contributing significantly to the governance framework at the local level.

Women representation:

• Gender representation in panchayats has improved significantly. While most states adhere to the 50% quota for women, some fall short of meeting the minimum reservation thresholds. Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Tripura are among the states with representation below the expected levels.
• In contrast, states like Odisha (61.51%), Himachal Pradesh (57.5%), and Tamil Nadu (57.32%) lead in women's participation in local governance.

SC, ST, and OBC Representation:

• The IIPA study said that while there is no stipulated reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Punjab had the highest proportion of SC representatives in panchayats at 36.34%, Chhattisgarh had the highest share of STs at 41.04%, and Bihar the highest OBC representation at 39.02%.
• The national average representation for these groups stands at 18.03% for SCs, 16.22% for STs and 19.15% for OBCs.

Major Challenges affecting Panchayats

One of the primary challenges affecting panchayats across India is the lack of adequate funding and infrastructure.

• Only seven states and UTs reported that 100% of their panchayat offices were pucca buildings (permanent structures). In contrast, Arunachal Pradesh reported only 5%, while Odisha had 12%.
• While 12 states reported 100% computer access in panchayats, states like Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha still face major deficits, with Arunachal having no computers in panchayats and only 13% in Odisha.
• Internet connectivity also remains limited, with 14 states/UTs having 100% internet access, but Haryana reported no panchayat with internet access, and Arunachal had only 1% connectivity.

These infrastructure gaps hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of panchayats in serving their communities and fulfilling their responsibilities.

About the study:

The IIPA conducted a detailed study of 172 panchayats in 68 districts across India. It assessed the performance of the panchayat system based on six parameters:

1.   Framework

2.   Functions

3.   Finances

4.   Functionaries

5.   Capacity building

6.   Accountability

This study led to the creation of the Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI), which scores states on a scale of 0 to 100.

The national average score has improved from 39.92 in 2014 to 43.89 in 2024. However, the results highlight significant disparities across states.

Conclusion:

The Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI) serves as an important tool for tracking progress, but it also highlights the need for continued reforms in decentralization, infrastructure development, and capacity building at the grassroots level. As India moves forward, a more focused approach to addressing these challenges will be critical to ensuring that panchayats become truly effective instruments of local governance, capable of empowering communities and driving sustainable development across the country.