With respect to Panchayati Raj system answer the following questions:

(a) How did the Panchayats come to be set up on a uniform basis all over the country?

(b) Mention any three achievements of the Panchayati Raj System.

(c) What is Nyaya Panchayat? Mention two of its functions.

(a) The Panchayats came to be set up on a uniform basis all over the country because of the 73rd Amendment Act which provides three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having population of over 20 lakh. The nomenclature varies from state to state but the basic structure remains a three-tier one starting with the village at the base, the Panchayat Samiti at the Block level and the Zila Parishad at the District level.

(b) Three achievements of the Panchayati Raj System are:

1. The Panchayati Raj system ensures effective coordination between government programmes and those of voluntary agencies.
2. It brings the Government close to people.
3. Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme are implemented through Panchayats all over the country.

(c) Nyaya Panchayats are institutions set up for every three or four Gram Panchayats, which performs Judicial functions. It exists only in some states.

Following are the two functions of Nyaya Panchayat:

1. They provide quick and inexpensive justice to villagers.
2. They can impose a fine up to Rs. 100 but cannot award a sentence of imprisonment.