Question

Choose the correct statement(s) regarding the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

1. The 73rd Amendment added Part IX to the Constitution, dealing with Panchayats, while the 74th Amendment added Part IXA, dealing with Municipalities.

2. The Eleventh Schedule, added by the 73rd Amendment, contains 18 subjects related to the powers and responsibilities of Panchayats.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. Both 1 and 2
• D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 only

73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992

• Enacted to give constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• Added Part IX to the Constitution, titled 'The Panchayats'.
• Inserted Article 243 to Article 243-O.
• Added the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, which contains 29 subjects that Panchayats can deal with.
• Mandates the establishment of Panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels in states with a population exceeding 20 lakhs.
• Provisions for reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in Panchayats.
• Establishes State Election Commissions for conducting elections to Panchayats.
• Aims to decentralize power and promote rural local self-governance.

74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992

• Enacted to give constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
• Added Part IXA to the Constitution, titled 'The Municipalities'.
• Inserted Article 243-P to Article 243-ZG.
• Added the Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution, which contains 18 subjects that Municipalities can deal with.
• Defines different types of urban local bodies such as Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations.
• Provisions for reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in Municipalities.
• Establishes State Finance Commissions to review the financial position of Municipalities.
• Aims to strengthen urban governance and local self-governance in cities and towns.

Key Differences and Overlapping Aspects

• Both amendments were passed in 1992 and came into effect in 1993.
• Both aim to strengthen grassroots democracy by empowering local self-governing bodies.
• The 73rd Amendment exclusively deals with rural local governance (Panchayats), while the 74th Amendment focuses on urban local governance (Municipalities).
• The Eleventh Schedule (for Panchayats) has 29 subjects, whereas the Twelfth Schedule (for Municipalities) has 18 subjects.
• While the 73rd Amendment added Part IX, the 74th Amendment added Part IXA.
• Both provide for reservation of seats and the establishment of State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions.