Return of Panchayat System in the Hills of Darjeeling after Two Decades

Abstract

Panchayat is the system of lowest level of local self-government in rural areas. The 73^rd constitutional Amendment of 1992 in India established the Panchayati Raj system, which is considered a significant step in the evolution of democracy in India. But, in the case of Gorkhaland Terroterial Administration Area, comprising Darjeeling and Kalimpong district of West Bengal,panchayat election was not conducted as per directed by the constitution of India. West Bengal’s hill district Darjeeling witnessed panchayat election after over 20 years. In the Darjeeling Hills the last Panchayat election was held in the year 2000 with the then GNLF party under Subash Ghising objecting to Panchayat elections in 2005 alleging that the Panchayat was diluting the powers of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC.) Since then Panchayat elections have not been held in the Hills. In 2000, election was held to the Gram Panchayat only with Ghising expressing fears that the Panchayat Samity would overlap the powers and functions of the DGHC.