What are Panchayati Raj Institutions?

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are village, district, and block level self-government bodies in India. They were first established in 1992 by the 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution.
Panchayati Raj Institutions are responsible for various tasks including water and sanitation, health, education, and women and child development. They are also responsible for maintaining law and order, and for providing relief in case of natural disasters.
The PRI system is based on the principle of grassroots democracy and gives power to the people at the village level. This system of self-government is seen as an important step in empowering the rural population of India.