Weaker Sections Representation in Panchayathi Raj Institutions- A study in Karnataka.

The present paper intends to discuss the theoretical aspects of panchayat raj system in India in general and the growth of panchayat raj systems in Karnataka in particular. It also focuses on the provisions for weaker sections in 73rd Amendment Act, and in subsequent panchayat raj Acts passed in Karnataka. It analyses the status of weaker sections in Chickballapur District’s panchayat raj institutions. The objective of this paper is to discuss the status of representatives of weaker sections. In order to assess the effective functioning of weaker section’s representatives in panchayat raj institutions after 1993 Act of Karnataka, the case study and analytical methods have been employed in this study. In the study the collected sample is 200 in total, covering of three types of panchayat raj institutions. The caste wise distribution of sample included, 80 belonging to SC, 45 from ST and 75 from OBC. Based on the information collected from the field the findings have been made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]