panchayat rajn. [ < Hindi pañcāyat rāj rule by panchayat < pañcāyatpanchayatn. + rājrajn. 1] (in India) a system of local government by panchayats and council committees (see panchayat samitin.).
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1956 Jrnl. Asian Stud.16 19 The Panchayat Raj Act has made the panchayats responsible for important duties and functions.
1990 Deccan Herald (Bangalore) 29 Jan. 3/4 The Minister was quite firm in his decision to bring about a change in the panchayat raj system.