Question

Consider the following statements regarding village Panchayat:

1. 73rd Amendment gave constitutional status
2. Grama Sabha became a reality
3. The idea contains in the Part III of Constitution
4. Article 40 elaborates the functions of Village Panchayats

• A. 1 and 4
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 1, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 1 and 2 only

• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992): This landmark legislation provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It added Part IX (titled 'The Panchayats') and Schedule 11 to the Constitution of India, which lists 29 functional items for Panchayats.
• Grama Sabha: The 73rd Amendment made the Grama Sabha the cornerstone of the Panchayati Raj system. It is defined under Article 243A as a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of a Panchayat at the village level.
• Constitutional Basis (Part IV vs. Part III): The concept of Village Panchayats is enshrined in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), not Part III (Fundamental Rights). Specifically, Article 40 directs the State to take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.
• Article 40 Scope: While Article 40 provides the constitutional mandate for the establishment of Panchayats, it acts as a directive principle. The detailed functions, powers, and responsibilities of Village Panchayats were elaborated and formalized through the 73rd Amendment Act and subsequent state legislation enacted under its provisions (Articles 243 to 243O).
• Key Facts for Exams:
  • The 73rd Amendment Act came into force on April 24, 1993. Consequently, April 24 is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day in India.
  • Panchayati Raj is a state subject under the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
  • The system is based on the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommendation (1957), which proposed a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level.