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Democracy is often defined as the government by the people, of the people and for the people. The peoples participation at the grass root level is sine qua non in its implementation in the true spirit. The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have always been the key instrument for self-governance and rural development since Independence. The PRI is thus the key institution through which people can fully participate in democracy. The institution of Panchayati Raj is becoming more and more relevant with the recent passage of many new acts, such as MGNREGA food security and land acquisition by Indian Parliament.It is in this context that this book is a modest attempt to analyse and discuss the role of PRIs in view of the recent developmental experiments in India. The book shall be useful for the academia, researchers, practitioners and potential entrants in politics and political leaders.

Contents: 1. Evolution of Panchayat System. 2. Social and political dynamics of PRIs. 3. Capacity building of elected representatives. 4. Rural development programmes and PRIs. 5. Health, sanitation and foreign remittances. 6. Dynamics of agrarian crisis.