Ashok Mehta Committee, 1978

It was setup in 1977 by Janata government to evaluate the working of panchayats and suggest the measures to strengthen them.

Recommendations: A two-tier system with Zila Parishad as the apex at district level and Mandal Panchayat at the base level in place of Gram Panchayat.

• Redistribution of powers between the Centre and the States,
• Assignment of the work on planning at the lower level
• To set up coordination in development programmes.
• The elections of PRI should be held on the party basis.

The recommendations of the committee were not accepted as there was change in guard ....