VILLAGE COUNCIL IN MIZORAM: A CRITICAL EVALUATION

Abstract The paper attempts to understand the power and functions of the Village Council asthe lowest administrative institution in Mizoram. The paper critically discusses theproblems confronted by the Village Councils in delivering essential services for ruraldevelopment. The paper also briefly discusses the flaws and challenges confrontedby Village Councils in comparison to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) constitutedby the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. It also critically focuses on theprevailing crisis of the Village Council structure in administration and the implementation of socio-economic development programs in a changing socio-economic milieu. The paper concludes with remarks on the need for reforming and strengthening the Village Council with more scope in terms of its functions and financial power to make it more robust as a grassroots institution for local self-government