PSM High-Yield: Panchayat Raj System
The Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI) represents the system of local self-government in India, formalized by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992). It is essential for community-based healthcare management.
Three-Tier Structure
| Tier | Level |
|---|---|
| Zila Parishad | District Level |
| Panchayat Samiti | Block Level |
| Gram Panchayat | Village Level |
Relevance to Public Health
- Decentralization: Allows local communities to identify and prioritize health needs (e.g., sanitation, water supply).
- Implementation: Plays a vital role in implementing national health programs like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Reproductive & Child Health (RCH).
- ASHA/Anganwadi: PRI members often oversee the functioning of grassroots health workers like ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
High-Yield Exam Pearl:
- Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Recommended the “Democratic Decentralization” and the 3-tier structure. Known as the “Architect of Panchayat Raj.”
- Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Recommended a 2-tier structure (Zila Parishad and Mandal Panchayat).
- 73rd Amendment: Constitutionalized the system and mandated elections every 5 years.