This book aims to examine the role of Panchayati Raj in rural development in India. Exploring the journey of Panchayati Raj System from Gandhi’s dream to a successful reality, it delineates the concept of the Panchayati Raj and describes the programmes, policies and problems of rural development.

Through an in-depth study of Panchayati Raj System and micro-level planning, it discusses decentralization, the amendments in Panchayati Raj, sources of revenue, rural fiscal management, community mobilization, relevance of poverty alleviation programmes, basic and primary health case services, ineffectiveness of centrally administered programmes, formation and structure of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and the role of the government in the developmental programmes.