• SHEEBA @ PARVATHI B

Prior to India’s Independence, community development works were neglected by the British. After independence, the people who were began to show keen interest in the issues which affected the rural masses. Economic emancipation was given priority. As a result, measures were initiated to find solutions to the problems faced by the rural masses. Thus the concept of Panchayat Raj was emerged by the Tamilnadu Panchayats Act in 1948. As a result The Town Panchayat of Kalugumalai which was constituted as a village panchayat on 15th July 1952 was upgraded into Selection Grade Town Panchayat on 26th June 1969. This Act had many innovative features, the prime objective this act to improving the economic condition of the rural poor people. The panchayats performs a very effective and educative role in a democracy. The local bodies like the panchayats serve as a training ground in the art of self-Government. The panchayat has taken all the possible steps for the effective implementation of social welfare measures of the Government. The nutritious meals scheme is implemented with all care. Further, the panchayat is spending quite a good sum of money to promote public welfare. Thus Kalugumalai town panchayat regarded as a model panchayat by administers in Thoothukudi district, Tamilnadu.

Panchayat Raj system, Tamilnadu Panchayat Act, Constitutions of Panchayat, Administrative structure, Unique features of Panchayat Raj, Implementation of Social Welfare Measures, Model Panchayat.

"Panchayat Raj System in Kalugumalai – A Study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.853-863, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907C80.pdf

"Panchayat Raj System in Kalugumalai – A Study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp853-863, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907C80.pdf