Main Article Content
Abstract
Democratic decentralization can be defined as meaningful authority devolved to local unit of governance that are accountable to the local citizenry, who enjoy completely political rights and liberty at grass root level to upper level. Panchayati Raj system is the only source which provides a great opportunity of complete democracy, local level development process, political awareness, protection of rights, democratic decision-making process, self-dependent, and political power to the village people. The present research work is divided into two parts. The first part pertains to the theoretical aspect covering the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989 which provides for the establishment of Panchayats at the state level. The second part relates to the empirical findings of the study like the devolution of powers, process of decentralization, electoral process, socio- economic and political background of the elected members. Awareness of the elected members towards the different provisions of the act and the constraint faced by them while performing their duties.