Performance of Gram Panchayats as Perceived by the Villagers of Kapurthala District of Punjab

Data from 200 farmers and non-farmers hailing from ten villages of Kapurthala district of Punjab were collected personally to ascertain their opinion regarding the performance of their functions as envisaged in the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. Majority of the villagers reported that out of 49 functions only seven were performed by village panchayats. These were related to construction work, and target achievement programmes enforced by the Block agency such as identification of beneficiaries. Vigil over widow/old age pensions and immunization of children. Thus, mobilization of village panchayats in grass root administration and meeting the aspiration of rural community is the need of the hour.