JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. Juno Rahman, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners; heard also Mr. N. Kumarjit, learned Advocate General, assisted by Mr. P. Tamphamani, learned counsel; and Mr. H. Debendra, learned G.A. appearing for the respondents.

2. The present petition has been filed seeking amendment of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act 1994 to provide for a 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions namely, Gram Panchayat at the Village level, Block Panchayat at the intermediate Level and Zila Parishad at the District Level in place of the existing 2-tier system of Gram Panchayats at the Village Level and Zila Parishad at the District Level in the State of Manipur. In other words, the petitioners are seeking for introduction of the Block Panchayat/Gram Samiti at the intermediate level as provided in other parts of the country on the ground that as Manipur has total population of more than 20 lakhs, the State is under obligation to provide these Panchayat institutions at 3(three) levels.

3. The institution of Panchayati Raj had been in vogue in India since time immemorial and now much importance has been given to the Panchayati system raising it to the Constitutional status by in