Panchayat

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The Panchayat (पंचायत in Devanagiri) is an Indian political system which groups five villages in a quincunx (four peripheral villages around a central one). Each has appointed tasks and responsibilities, such as cart-making or basket-weaving. The central village, usually the largest of the Panchayat, traditionally handles food storage and meeting-places for officials, as well as their residences. ‘Panchayat’ literally means assembly (yat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the village community. Traditionally, these assemblies settle disputes between individuals and villages.

[edit] Village councils

Panchayat also refers to a council of elected members taking decisions on issues key to a village's social, cultural and economic life: thus, a panchayat is also a village's body of elected representatives. The council leader is named sarpanch in Hindi, and each member is a panch. The panchayat acts as a conduit between the local government and the people. Decisions are taken by a majority vote (Bahumat). It is said that in such a system, each villager can voice his opinion in the governance of his village.^{[citation needed]} Decisions are taken without lengthy legal procedures and the process remains for the most part transparent.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Panchayati Raj

The term ‘panchayat raj’ is relatively new, having originated during the British administration. 'Raj' literally means governance or government. Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayati Raj, a decentralized form of Government where each village is responsible for its own affairs, as the foundation of India's political system. His term for such a vision was "Gram Swaraj" (Village Self-governance). It was adopted by state governments during the 1950s and 60s as laws were passed to establish Panchayats in various states. It also found backing in the Indian Constitution, which was amended in 1992 to accommodate the idea. Although political and caste undercurrents among the voters have prevented strong adoption of this concept, it has has been accepted and effectively implemented in many states of India.^{[citation needed]}