Panchayati Raj in Health

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PRI Structure - Grassroots Governance

  • Constitutional Mandate: Established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
    • Enshrined in Part IX of the Constitution.
    • Aims for democratic decentralization and local self-government.
  • Three-Tier System: Aims to build democracy from grassroots level.
    • Village Level: Gram Panchayat (Sarpanch as head).
      • Foundation: Gram Sabha (all registered voters in the Panchayat area).
    • Block/Intermediate Level: Panchayat Samiti / Mandal Parishad (Chairperson elected by its elected members).
    • District Level: Zila Parishad (Chairperson elected by its elected members). Panchayati Raj: Three Tiers of Local Government in India
  • Key Provisions:
    • Direct elections for all seats at all levels.
    • Regular elections every 5 years (conducted by State Election Commission).
    • Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population.
    • Reservation of not less than 1/3rd of total seats for women (including SC/ST women).
    • State Finance Commission constituted every 5 years to review financial position.

⭐ The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), making them mandatory and uniform across states (with some exceptions).

PRI Health Roles - Village Vanguard

  • Gram Panchayat (GP): Overall responsibility for health, sanitation, safe drinking water, and nutrition within the village.
  • Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC):
    • Operational at village level, chaired by Sarpanch/Panch.
    • Members: ASHA, AWW, ANM, elected Panch, community representatives.
    • Functions:
      • Develops Village Health Plan (VHP).
      • Monitors health services, ASHA/AWW performance.
      • Promotes sanitation, hygiene, nutrition.
      • Manages untied funds for local health needs.

    ⭐ VHSNC receives an annual untied grant of ₹10,000 for local health action.

  • ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist):
    • Community health volunteer; key link between community & health system.
    • Roles: Maternal & child health (MCH), immunization, family planning, DOTS provision, health education.
    • Accountable to Gram Panchayat; supported by ANM & AWW.
  • AWW (Anganwadi Worker):
    • Implements ICDS scheme at village level.
    • Provides supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, health & nutrition education.
    • Works in close coordination with ASHA, ANM, and VHSNC.

PRI Committees & Challenges - Committee Counsel

Key committees significantly shaped Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their evolving role in health:

CommitteeYearKey Focus/Recommendation (Health Relevance)
Balwant Rai Mehta19573-tier PRI system; democratic decentralization for local development (health)
Ashok Mehta19782-tier system; constitutional recognition; Zila Parishad pivotal
GVK Rao1985District as unit of planning; strengthening PRI roles in development
LM Singhvi1986Constitutional status for PRIs; enhanced financial resources
73rd Amendment Act1992Constitutional status to PRIs; 29 subjects including health & sanitation
-   **3 Fs Deficit**: Insufficient Funds, Functions, and Functionaries. 📌 Mnemonic: **F**ailures **F**rustrate **F**unctioning.
-   Inadequate financial autonomy and resource mobilization.
-   Limited capacity building and technical expertise.
-   Political interference and lack of genuine devolution.
-   Low community awareness and participation.
-   Weak inter-sectoral coordination with health systems.

⭐ The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) is a landmark, constitutionally empowering PRIs with responsibilities for 29 subjects, including critical areas like health, sanitation, primary health care, family welfare, and women & child development.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): established by 73rd Amendment Act, 1992.
  • Three-tier system: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), Zila Parishad (district).
  • Health functions: sanitation, safe water, family welfare, implementing national health programs.
  • Gram Sabha: foundation for community participation and planning.
  • PRIs manage untied funds for local health needs.
  • Crucial for National Health Mission (NHM) implementation.
  • ASHA works closely with Gram Panchayat for community health.

Practice Questions: Panchayati Raj in Health

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following is NOT a duty of an ASHA worker?

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Flashcards: Panchayati Raj in Health

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HWC-PHC is functional for a population of _____ in a tribal area and _____ in a plain area.

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

HWC-PHC is functional for a population of _____ in a tribal area and _____ in a plain area.

20,000; 30,000

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