In India, government by the village council, or panchayat .
When India gained its independence, it was stated that the government "should take steps to organize village panchayat s." The first panchayat was inaugurated in 1959 in Rajasthan, and in 1993 the panchayat institution was incorporated into the Indian Constitution. Their members are elected, and one-third of them are required to be women. Scheduled castes ( formerly untouchable s) and tribes are also guaranteed representation in proportion to their population. Today the role and success of the panchayat s are still the topic of heated discussion. See also Indian National Congress .