Question

Consider the following statements regarding the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

1. The 73rd Amendment added the Eleventh Schedule, which includes 29 subjects, while the 74th Amendment added the Twelfth Schedule with 29 subjects.

2. Both amendments were passed under the leadership of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.

3. The 73rd Amendment mandates elections for Panchayats every five years, while the 74th Amendment does not specify the frequency of municipal elections.

• A. Only 1 and 2
• B. Only 1 and 3
• C. Only 2 and 3
• D. All are incorrect

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Only 2 and 3

73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in India

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 is a landmark legislation that aims to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the local self-government in rural areas.
• It incorporated a new Part IX into the Constitution, titled 'The Panchayats', and also added the Eleventh Schedule.
• The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 functional items that Panchayats can deal with, including subjects like agriculture, land improvement, poverty alleviation, rural housing, and sanitation.
• The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 deals with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), such as Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, and Nagar Panchayats.
• It added a new Part IX-A to the Constitution, known as 'The Municipalities', and the Twelfth Schedule.
• The Twelfth Schedule enumerates 18 functional items that Municipalities can undertake, covering areas like urban planning, regulation of land use, roads, water supply, and public health.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because the 74th Amendment added the Twelfth Schedule with 18 subjects, not 29.
• The 73rd Amendment mandates that Panchayats shall be constituted for a term of five years, and elections must be held within six months of dissolution.
• Similarly, the 74th Amendment provides for a term of five years for Municipalities, with elections to be held within six months of dissolution. Therefore, Statement 3 is incorrect as both amendments specify the frequency of elections for their respective bodies.
• Both the 73rd and 74th Amendments were enacted during the tenure of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's government. This historical context confirms the accuracy of Statement 2.
• These amendments were a significant step towards strengthening democratic decentralization in India, providing constitutional status and legitimacy to local governance.