National Panchayati Raj Day 2022 observed on 24th April.

Why in news?

• National Panchayati Raj Day is a national holiday in India that honours the Panchayati Raj system. Every year on April 24th, it is commemorated. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which was passed in 1992, is also commemorated on this day. The Panchayati Raj system, which is one of the country’s oldest governing organisations, governs about 6 lakh communities in India.
• The day was initially observed in April 2010to commemorate the decentralisation of power, which is considered one of India’s most significant milestones.
• Every year, the Prime Minister meets with members from Gram Panchayats and reviews their progress reports. In addition, a variety of village-level festivities, seminars, and other events are held. This year, however, it will be held without a theme.
• The award ceremony, which will honour the outstanding work of panchayats across the country for their participation under the Panchayat Empowerment Accountability Incentive Scheme, will be the centrepiece of the event this year. On National Panchayati Raj Day, the Central government honours around 170 Panchayati Raj institutions.
• The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act of 1992, which took effect on April 24, 1993, gave Panchayati Raj institutions constitutional standing. As a result, this date symbolises a watershed point in the history of decentralisation of governmental power to the people. The 73rd Amendment‘s influence on rural India is palpable, as it has irreparably altered power dynamics. As a result, the Indian government decided, in conjunction with the states, to commemorate April 24th as National Panchayati Raj Day. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is leading the commemoration.