Evolution of Panchayati Raj in India with Special Reference to Arunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat bodies have been the first modern political institutions. Democratic political process was started in the erstwhile NEFA (North East Frontier Agency) in 1969 with the inauguration of Panchayati Raj. Significantly, the modern Panchayati Raj was introduced in NEFA (Present Arunachal Pradesh) on the backdrop of existing traditional tribal councils. In substance, the indigenous isolated tribal communities were exposed to grassroots political process. A new framework of participatory development and village management was introduced which mobilized the tribes to a great extent. Thus, the panchayat institutions engineered the modern political process in Arunachal Pradesh. The introduction of modern political institutions in Arunachal Pradesh became the key instruments for the development of village life. The people got the opportunity to exercise their franchise for the first time in the panchayat elections. This very processes an eye opener for the village communities so far as the grassroots democratic political process is concerned. As a result, the people got themselves involved with the developmental process of the rural area. Panchayati Raj Institution has brought a many socio-political changes in the rural Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, importance and effectiveness of working of Panchayati Raj in Arunachal Pradesh is an interesting subject of study to whether these institutions are an effective mechanism for the modern grassroots democratic political participation. With this objectives, the present study is intending to shed light on the working of Panchayati raj Institution in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh and to examine the various socio-economic changed brought in the area and people’s perception on PRIs