The Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1972 was enacted as per the recommendations of the Estimate Committee, which was formed in 1970 to review the working of the Panchayati Raj in the state. The new Act introduced two-tier system of Panchayati Raj in Assam state of India. It repealed the Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 1964.
Features of Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1972:
- Two-tier system of Panchayati Raj with removal of the Anchalik Panchayat.
- The Panchayati Raj included Gaon Panchayat at village level and Mahkuma Parishad at Sub-divisional level.
- The term of the Panchayat Raj bodies fixed to four years.
- The Gaon Panchayat consisted of fifteen (15) elected members.
- The Act extended the areas of Gaon Panchayat to population of not less than 15,000 and not more than 20,000.
- The President of the Gaon Panchayati was directed elected.
- The Vice-President was elected from the members of Gaon Panchayat.
- Secretary of the Gaon Panchayat to be appointed by the Mohkuma Parishad.
- Councillor of the Parishad representing the Gaon Panchayat to become an ex-officio member of the Gaon Panchayat.
- Authorised the State Government to appoint any officer as an ex-officio member to the Gaon Panchayat.
- Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Mohkuma Parishad to be elected by the Councillors from among themselves.
- One Councillor of Mahkuma Parishad elected by each of the Gaon Panchayat within its areas.
- One representative each from Municipality, Town Committee, Central Co-operative Bank and Regional Board of Elementary Education as ex-officio Councillors of Mahkuma Parishad.
- Extended Panchayati Raj to the Tea garden areas of Assam. Two Councillors nominated by the State Government from tea gardens.
The Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1972 brought about changes which were ahead of it’s time! The Ashok Mehta Committee of Central Government recommended a two-tier system of Panchayati Raj only in 1978. The Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1972 got repealed by the Assam Panchayati Raj Act 1986.