Ashok Mehta committee was established by the Janata Government to study about Panchayati raj institutions in December 1977. This committee advocated a two-tier structure for Panchayat Raj, involving Zilla Parishads at the district level and Mandal Panchayats, as an alternative to the tyre system proposed by the Balwant Rai committee. In August 1978, it submitted a report with 132 recommendations for reviving and strengthening the country's ailing Panchayati raj system. In this article, let us see the specific recommendations given by the Ashok Mehta Committee for the development of Panchayati Raj in India.

Historical Background

• The village panchayat emerged as a system of governance in the British era as a response to aspirations for local autonomy.
• Citizens now have access to the lowest levels of government governance.
• The GoI Act of 1935 also grants the provinces the authority to make legislation.
• The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957 gave a framework for democratic decentralisation, which was incorporated by many states.

Recommendations of Ashok Mehta Committee

• The three-tier Panchayati raj system should be replaced with a two-tier structure, with a district-level Zila Parishad and a Mandal panchayat consisting of a collection of villages with a combined population of 15,000 to 20,000 people.
• Below the state level, a district should be the first point of decentralisation under popular supervision.
• The Zila Parishad shall be the executive body and be in charge of district planning.
• Political parties should be allowed to participate in panchayat elections at all levels.
• To mobilise their own financial resources, Panchayati raj organisations should have compulsory taxing powers.
• Social Audits must be conducted at regular intervals.
• If the Panchayati institutions are superseded then elections must be held within 6 months.
• The Minister of Panchayati Raj must be appointed at the state level.
• Seats must be reserved for candidates from SC and STs.
• Panchayati institutions must be given constitutional status.

Outcome

• Due to the Janata Government's collapse before the end of its term, no action could be done at the central level on the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee.
• However, the three states of Karnataka, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh took moves to revitalise the Panchayati raj, taking parts of the Ashok Mehta Committee's suggestions into account.

Conclusion

The establishment of Panchayat Raj is a watershed moment in the evolution of grass-roots administrative institutions. Panchayats have played a significant part in the development of India's rural areas. The Ashok Mehta Committee played an important role in giving a framework for the states to develop their own Panchayat System which resulted in many states having a working Panchayat system even before the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which committee recommended a two-tier structure for Panchayati Raj Institutions in India?

A. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
B. Ashok Mehta Committee
C. Sarkaria Commission
D. Rajamannar Committee

2. In which year was the Ashok Mehta Committee constituted?

A. 1957
B. 1977
C. 1967
D. 1992

3. What was the primary focus of the Ashok Mehta Committee's recommendations?

A. Centralization of power
B. Decentralization of power
C. Judicial reforms
D. National level planning

4. What was the Ashok Mehta Committee’s stance on elections in Panchayati Raj Institutions?

A. Nominated members
B. Indirect elections
C. Direct elections
D. No elections

5. Which constitutional amendment later institutionalized the key recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee?

A. 42nd Amendment
B. 61st Amendment
C. 73rd Amendment
D. 44th Amendment

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Ashok Mehta Committee in the context of Panchayati Raj reforms in India.

Answer: The Ashok Mehta Committee played a pivotal role in reshaping the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. It recommended a shift from the three-tier system to a two-tier structure, simplifying local governance. The committee emphasized direct elections and proposed greater devolution of powers to PRIs, enabling them to function effectively as self-governing bodies. Additionally, it proposed the inclusion of political parties in Panchayat elections to ensure transparency. These recommendations were crucial in influencing the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which institutionalized PRIs in India.

Q2: Evaluate the Ashok Mehta Committee's recommendations on decentralization and their impact on local governance.

Answer: The Ashok Mehta Committee's recommendations on decentralization had a lasting impact on local governance in India. By advocating for the devolution of powers and a two-tier Panchayati Raj system, the committee aimed to make local self-governance more efficient and democratic. The emphasis on direct elections empowered people at the grassroots level to participate in governance. These recommendations influenced the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which formalized the Panchayati Raj system, giving it constitutional status and empowering local bodies to play a key role in governance and development.

Q3: Analyze the role of political parties in Panchayati Raj Institutions as recommended by the Ashok Mehta Committee.

Answer: The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended the participation of political parties in Panchayat elections to bring greater transparency, accountability, and legitimacy to local governance. By involving political parties, the committee aimed to make PRIs more accountable and prevent them from becoming isolated power centers controlled by local elites. This recommendation was significant because it ensured that PRIs would be more democratic, with greater oversight and involvement from mainstream political parties, leading to more effective governance at the local level.

Previous Year Questions on Ashok Mehta Committee

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 2)

Question: "The Ashok Mehta Committee laid the foundation for modern Panchayati Raj in India." Discuss.

Answer: The Ashok Mehta Committee made significant contributions to the development of modern Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. It recommended a two-tier structure to replace the existing three-tier system, emphasizing the importance of decentralization and democratic representation through direct elections. The committee also advocated for the participation of political parties in Panchayat elections, ensuring transparency and accountability. These recommendations influenced the later 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992), which institutionalized Panchayati Raj, giving it a constitutional framework.

2. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017

Question: Which committee recommended the two-tier structure for Panchayati Raj Institutions?
A. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
B. Sarkaria Commission
C. Ashok Mehta Committee
D. Rajiv Gandhi Committee

Answer: C

Explanation: The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended the introduction of a two-tier system for Panchayati Raj Institutions, replacing the existing three-tier structure.