First empirical work on the role of panchayati Raj institutions in the amelioration of socio-economic conditions of the economically weaker sections of the society. The book presents an exhaustive commentary on the constitution 73rd amendment, socio-historical and constitutional perspective of panchayats in India, judicial response to democratic decentralizations, socio-economic justice through panchayati Raj institutions, institutional framework of panchayats NEGRA and other poverty alleviation programs.