Subhash ChanderRamfal2020-01-312020-01-312019http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810142227Local government has been a vital and dynamic identity of the Indian villages since the written history, but the concept of Panchayati Raj is a new phenomenon. In India, the Panchayati Raj now functions as a system of governance in which Gram Panchayats are the basic units of local administration. There are total 2,62,547 PRIs in the country in which 2,55,576 Gram Panchayats, 6354 Block Panchayats and 617 District Panchayats. Haryana state is divided into 6 revenue divisions, 22 districts, 140 blocks, 6,754 villages and 6,083 village Panchayats. There are total 6,083 Sarpanches in which 3,264 male and 1,587 are female elected representatives from General Caste and 7,97 male and 4,35 female elected representatives from Sceduled Caste in these Gram Panchayats. From total 6.083 Sarpanches 1,232 are from Scheduled Class and 1,232 women. Highest number of Sarpanches is from Bhiwani district (461) and lowest from Faridabad (111) Therefore, comprehensive study was conducted in Haryana state with following pecific objectives: (1) To assess the working and performance of Gram Panchayat, (2) To delineate between socio-economic variables affecting the working of Gram Panchayat and (3)To suggest the measures for better performance of Gram Panchayat. The sample of 120 elected representyatives of Gram Panchayat was selected from 9 villages from two districts, namely, Hisar and Kurukshetra through systemic random sampling techniques. Data were collected through interview Scheduled and analyzed with suitable descriptive statistical techniques. Analysis clearly revealed that nearly three forth of the respondents (71.67%) attended the training regarding Gram Panchayat. More than three-fourth of the respondents (79.17%) were satisfied from funds collection activities. Contrary to that, nearly three fourth of the respondents (74.17%) were not satisfied with budget submitted to Gram Sabha. Overwhelming majority of the respondents (89.17%) were not satisfied from library development activities followed by medical facilities (88.33%) and control of water pollution. Overwhelming majority of the respondents (82.50%) were not satisfied with development of fisheries. Analysis revealed that Caste, occupation, education, income and socio-economic status of the respondent were found significantly associated with performance of administrative activities. On the other hand, age, gender, size of family, types of family, landholding, social participation and mass-media exposure of the respondents were not found significantly associated with performances of administrative activities. Approximately same trend was found in another activities namely educational and entertainment, construction and maintenance, drinking water supply, agricultural and allied and sanitation works. Thus, we can conclude that sampled Gram Panchayat made efforts regarding Panchayat activities yet more is required to be done regarding Panchayat activities. It was also suggested that there should be focus on all issues of weaker section especially women representatives, such as land right, child labour, payment of minimum wages. Government should examine the functioning and participation level from time to time. Corruption is all pervasive in all official dealings. To minimize the corruption, efforts should be made.ennullThesis