PR Committees & Balwantrai
Revenue & Panchayati Raj · PR समितियां और बलवंतराय
📋Quick Overview
Before the 73rd Constitutional Amendment gave formal constitutional status to Panchayati Raj, several committees studied and recommended reforms to decentralize power to grassroots institutions. The Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957) was the first to formally recommend a democratic three-tier PR structure. Subsequent committees — Ashok Mehta (1978), GVK Rao (1985), L.M. Singhvi (1986), and P.K. Thungon (1989) — progressively strengthened the case for constitutional recognition of PRIs, which eventually led to the landmark 73rd Amendment in 1992.
Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957): Coined the term 'democratic decentralization'. Recommended 3-tier PR. Led to Panchayati Raj implementation in Rajasthan (October 2, 1959). The committee evaluated the Community Development Programme (1952).
📖All Major Committees — Comparison
| Committee | Year | Key Recommendations | Famous Quote/Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balwantrai Mehta Committee | 1957 | 3-tier PR structure; direct elections; strong Gram Panchayat; Community Development evaluation | 'Democratic Decentralization' |
| Ashok Mehta Committee | 1977-78 | 2-tier PR (Mandal Panchayat + Zila Parishad); MLA/MP participation; political parties allowed | 'Two-tier system' |
| GVK Rao Committee | 1985 | Transfer real powers to PRIs; District as basic planning unit; DRDAs under Zila Parishad | 'Grass without roots' |
| L.M. Singhvi Committee | 1986 | Constitutional status for PRIs; Nyaya Panchayats; village as administrative unit | 'Panchayati Raj must be constitutionally guaranteed' |
| P.K. Thungon Committee | 1989 | Constitutional recognition of PRIs; regular elections; 3-tier system | Led directly to 73rd Amendment drafting |
| Second ARC (2nd Admin Reforms Commission) | 2007 | Strengthen PRIs; fiscal devolution; bottom-up planning; PRIs as third tier of governance | Comprehensive governance reforms |
📝Key Points to Remember
- •Balwantrai Mehta was reviewing the Community Development Programme (CDP) launched in 1952 — he found CDP failed because no local participation
- •Ashok Mehta differed from Balwantrai: Recommended 2 tiers (not 3), political parties in PR, and MLA/MP participation
- •'Grass without roots' (GVK Rao): PR institutions existed but had no real powers — like grass that looks green but has no roots
- •L.M. Singhvi Committee was set up by Rajiv Gandhi government; its recommendation for constitutional status led to 73rd Amendment
- •P.K. Thungon Committee: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Political Matters; its report in 1989 directly led to framing of the 64th Amendment Bill (which lapsed) and later 73rd Amendment