Panchayati Raj of Andhra Pradesh | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Historical Background

• Before the establishment of present-day Andhra Pradesh in 1953, the local self-government system was influenced by models from Madras and Hyderabad States. These models were based on various Acts like the Madras District Boards Act, 1920, Madras Village Panchayats Act, 1950, Hyderabad District Board Act, 1951, and Hyderabad Village Panchayats Act, 1951.
• In 1953, the state had three types of rural local self-government bodies: District Boards, Taluk Boards, and Village Panchayats.

Historical Evolution

• The Panchayati Raj System in Andhra Pradesh has a deep-rooted history dating back to 1959. It was established based on the recommendations of the Balawant Rai G. Mehta committee.
• Following the committee's report, Andhra Pradesh adopted a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure, comprising Gram Panchayati at the grassroots level, Panchayat Samithi at the intermediate level, and Zilla Parishad at the top level.

Current Status

• The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 was enacted to empower and rejuvenate the Panchayati Raj institutions, aiming to better serve the rural population.
• Prior to the constitutional amendment, an Expert Committee on Panchayati Raj, led by Sri. B.P. Vittal, I.A.S., was appointed by the government to review and propose changes to the Panchayati Raj system and the revenue structure below the district level.
• During N.T. Rama Rao's tenure as Chief Minister, the Andhra Pradesh Government initiated reforms in Panchayati Raj and revenue administration. This included the introduction of the Mandal system to enhance democratic decentralization and bring governance closer to the people.
• The Andhra Pradesh Mandal Praja Parishads, Zilla Praja Parishads and Zilla Pranalika Abhirudhi Sameeksha Mandals Act, 1986 replaced the earlier Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Samithis and Zilla Parishads Act, 1959. This new three-tier system consisted of Gram Panchayat, Mandal Praja Parishads, and Zilla Praja Parishads, replacing the previous Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and Zilla Parishads.
• Presently, the Panchayati Raj system in Andhra Pradesh operates under the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, enacted in accordance with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993. This comprehensive legislation covers all three tiers of Panchayati Raj, incorporating reservations for SCs, STs, women, and members of backward communities.
• At the intermediate level, there are 1095 Mandal Parishads, each catering to a population ranging from 35,000 to 55,000. At the apex of the structure, there are 22 Zilla Parishads, each overseeing an average of 50 Mandals with a population of around 22 lakhs.

Zilla Parishads

• The Zilla Parishad is the highest tier of the Panchayat Raj system in Andhra Pradesh.
• It consists of members elected from Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies.
• The ZP elects a president from among its members.

Members of the Zilla Praja Parishad include:

• A member elected from a territorial constituency (Mandal).
• A member of the State Legislative Assembly representing the district constituency.
• A member of the State Council who is a registered voter in the district.
• Two members belonging to minorities co-opted by elected Zilla Parishad members.

Mandal Parishad

• Above the Gram Panchayat (GP) is the Mandal Parishad, which encompasses approximately 20 GPs within its jurisdiction. 
• The residents of Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), which roughly correspond to Gram Panchayats, elect representatives to the Mandal Parishad (MP). 
• These MP members then choose a Mandal Parishad President (MPP) from among themselves. 
• Unlike GP elections, political party competition is permitted at the MP level. 
• In every Mandal headquarters, essential facilities such as a Primary Health Centre, Veterinary Hospital, High School, Junior College, Police Station, Library, and Market Yard are established to provide comprehensive services to the community in one centralized location.

Gram Panchayat

• Gram Panchayats form the foundational tier of the three-tier local governance structure in Andhra Pradesh.
• Andhra Pradesh comprises 23 districts, including an urban district (Hyderabad), covering 1091 mandals.
• There are 22 Zilla Parishads, 1095 Mandal Parishads, and 21,895 Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Gram Panchayats cater to a population of 5,63,11,788 as per the 2011 Census.

Costal Andhra Pradesh Region

• The Costal Andhra Pradesh region comprises nine districts.
• Total of 8,909 Gram Panchayats in this region, covering 40.69% of the State's total Gram Panchayats.
• Srikakulam district has the highest number of Gram Panchayats (1106), followed by Prakasam (1041), Guntur (1022), East Godavari (1011), Visakhapatnam (976), Krishna (973), Nellore (961), Vizianagaram (931), and West Godavari (888).

Rayalaseema Region

• Rayalaseema comprises four districts.
• Total of 4,131 Gram Panchayats in this region, accounting for 18.87%.
• Chittoor district has the highest number of Gram Panchayats (1399), followed by Anantapur (1005), Kumool (898), and Kadapa (829).

Gram Sabha

• According to the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, each Gram Panchayat comprises two branches: the 'Gram Sabha' and the Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat is required to take into account any suggestions made by the Gram Sabha. 
• The Gram Sabha comprises all individuals listed in the electoral rolls. It convenes at least twice annually to review the annual financial statements and audit reports, assess the previous year's administrative performance, plan upcoming projects, and discuss proposals for new or increased taxes. 
• The Sarpanch (President) or, in their absence, the Up-Sarpanch (Vice-President) of the Gram Panchayat, presides over these meetings.