Question

What is/are the major change/s made through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?

1. It added Part IX to the Constitution, dealing with the Panchayati Raj system.

2. It introduced the Eleventh Schedule, which lists 29 subjects under the purview of Panchayats.

3. It mandated the reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayati Raj institutions.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 1 and 2 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 1 and 2 only

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which came into force on April 24, 1993, granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India.

• It aimed to strengthen local self-governance by establishing a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj system across the country.

Major Changes Introduced:

• It inserted a new Part IX titled "The Panchayats" into the Constitution, consisting of Articles 243 to 243-O. This part provides the framework for the establishment and functioning of Panchayats.

• It added the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, which lists 29 functional items within the purview of Panchayats. These subjects are intended to be devolved to the local bodies for local planning and implementation.

Key Provisions for Competitive Exams:

• The Act mandated a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate (block) level, and Zila Parishad at the district level.

• It made provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population at all three levels.

• It also mandated the reservation of at least one-third (1/3rd) of the total seats for women, including one-third of the seats reserved for SC/ST women.

• The Act made the election of Panchayat members compulsory every five years. If a Panchayat is dissolved prematurely, elections must be held within six months.

• It led to the establishment of a State Election Commission in each state to conduct and oversee Panchayat elections.

• It also mandated the constitution of a State Finance Commission every five years to review the financial position of Panchayats and recommend the devolution of funds from the state government.

• It is important to note that the reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was made a voluntary provision, left to the discretion of the state legislatures. It was not a mandatory change introduced by the 73rd Amendment itself.

Historical Context:

• The idea of democratic decentralization was promoted by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957), which recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system.

• The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) recommended a two-tier system and emphasized the need for constitutional recognition.

• The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986) strongly recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj Institutions, which eventually paved the way for the 73rd Amendment