Further Committees on Panchayati Raj

Ashok Mehta Committee (1977)

Formed in December 1977 by the Janata Party government, under Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Its purpose was to revitalize the Panchayati Raj system.

Key Recommendations:

• Replace the three-tier system with a two-tier system: Mandal Parishad and Zilla Parishad (eliminating the Gram Panchayat at the village level).
• Political parties *should* be allowed to participate in Panchayat elections (a reversal of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommendation).
• Four-year term for Panchayati Raj institutions.
• By-elections should be held within six months of a vacancy.
• The District Collector should be the chairman of the Zilla Parishad.
• Constitutional status for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Financial resources should be provided to Panchayati Raj institutions.

Impact:

The report was submitted in August 1978. However, due to political instability (the fall of the Janata government and Morarji Desai's resignation), the recommendations were not implemented at the national level. Some states, like Karnataka (1985) and Andhra Pradesh (1986), adopted some of the recommendations.

Dantwala Committee (1978)

Also formed by the Janata government under Morarji Desai. Focused on block-level planning.

Key Recommendations:

• The planning unit should be the block.
• The Sarpanch (village head) should be directly elected.

C.H. Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984)

The C.H. Hanumantha Rao Committee was established in 1984 and was chaired by C.H. Hanumantha Rao. It focused on district-level planning.

C.H. Hanumantha Rao was:

• A prominent economist from Telangana.
• Former Governor of Maharashtra and brother to C.H. Vidyasagar Rao.
• Chairman of the committee that recommended special status for Uttarakhand.

Key Recommendations:

• Planning should be done at the district level.
• Establishment of a District Planning Board.
• The District Collector should play a key role in district administration.

G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985)

Formed by the central government, this committee focused on rural development, poverty alleviation, and administrative arrangements.

Key Recommendations:

• Planning should focus on the district level.
• Creation of the post of District Development Officer.
• The District Collector should be the chairman of the Zilla Parishad.
• Financial resources should be provided to Panchayati Raj institutions.

L.M. Singhvi Committee

The L.M. Singhvi Committee was established by the Central Government.