Panchayati Raj of Andhra Pradesh - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Panchayati Raj of Andhra Pradesh

• Background

  Before the creation of present-day Andhra Pradesh in 1953, the local self-government system was influenced by the governance models in Madras and Hyderabad States. It was structured under Acts like the Madras District Boards Act of 1920, Madras Village Panchayats Act of 1950, Hyderabad District Board Act of 1951, and Hyderabad Village Panchayats Act of 1951. At that time, the State had District Boards, Taluk Boards, and Village Panchayats.

• Historical Development

  Andhra Pradesh has a rich history of Panchayati Raj dating back to 1959. The foundation of the Panchayati Raj System in the state was laid based on the recommendations of a committee led by Balawant Rai G. Mehta. Following this report, a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure was established, comprising Gram Panchayati at the grassroots level, Panchayat Samithi at the intermediate level, and Zilla Parishad at the top level. The Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Samities and Zilla Parishads Act of 1959 formalized these institutions across all districts by the end of the same year.

• Current Status

  The Parliament passed the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act in 1992 to enhance and rejuvenate the Panchayati Raj bodies, aiming to better serve the rural population. Before this amendment, an Expert Committee on Panchayati Raj, led by Sri. B.P. Vittal, I.A.S., was appointed by the government to review the restructuring of the Panchayati Raj system and the revenue structure below the district level.

Overview of Panchayati Raj System in Andhra Pradesh

Historical Background:

• Under N.T. Rama Rao's tenure, Andhra Pradesh reformed its Panchayati Raj and revenue administration.
• The previous Panchayat Samithis and Zilla Parishads Act of 1959 were replaced by the Andhra Pradesh Mandal Praja Parishads, Zilla Praja Parishads, and Zilla Pranalika Abhirudhi Sameeksha Mandals Act of 1986.
• This move aimed at achieving democratic decentralization and bringing governance closer to the people.

Evolution of the System:

• The current Panchayati Raj system in Andhra Pradesh operates under the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act of 1994.
• Enacted in 1994 following the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1993, this legislation encompasses all three tiers of Panchayati Raj.
• The Act aligns with the constitutional amendments, ensuring provisions for SCs, STs, women, and members of backward communities.

Current Structure:

• At the intermediate level, Andhra Pradesh has 1095 Mandal Parishads, each serving a population of 35,000 to 55,000.
• At the apex of the Panchayati Raj structure, there are 22 Zilla Parishads, each overseeing an average of 50 Mandals and a population of around 22 lakhs.

Zilla Parishads

• The Zilla Parishad is the highest tier in the Panchayat Raj system at the district level.
• It consists of members elected from Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies, which align with mandal areas.
• The Zilla Parishad elects a president from among its members.
• Members of the Zilla Praja Parishad include representatives from territorial constituencies, legislative assembly members, council members, as well as members from minority groups co-opted by elected members.

Mandal Parishad

• The Mandal Parishad is the sub-district committee covering approximately 20 Gram Panchayats.
• Members are elected from Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC), corresponding to Gram Panchayats.
• Mandal Parishad members select a Mandal Parishad President from their ranks.
• Unlike Gram Panchayat elections, political party competition is allowed at the Mandal Parishad level.
• Essential facilities like health centers, schools, colleges, police stations, libraries, and market yards are established in every Mandal headquarters.

Gram Panchayat

• Gram Panchayats form the foundational level of local governance in Andhra Pradesh.
• They form the base of the three-tier system with Zilla Parishads at the district level and Mandal Parishads at the intermediate level.
• Andhra Pradesh has 23 districts, including one urban district (Hyderabad), with a total of 21,895 Gram Panchayats.
• The Gram Panchayats cater to a population of 5,63,11,788 as per the 2011 Census.

• Coastal Andhra Pradesh Region
• The Coastal Andhra Pradesh region comprises nine districts, housing a total of 8,909 Gram Panchayats, representing 40.69% of all Gram Panchayats in the State.
• Srikakulam district hosts the highest number of Gram Panchayats in this region (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, consisting of four districts, encompasses 4,131 Gram Panchayats, accounting for 18.87% of the total.
• Chittoor district boasts the highest number of Gram Panchayats in this region (1399), followed by Anantapur (1005), Kurnool (898), and Kadapa (829).
• Gram Sabha
• As per the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act of 1994, each Gram Panchayat comprises two wings: Gram Sabha and Panchayat.
• Gram Sabha, inclusive of all individuals on the electoral rolls, convenes at least twice annually to review financial statements, administration reports, upcoming work programs, and tax proposals.
• The Sarpanch or Up-Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat presides over these meetings.