Jonah Patel
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which came into force on 24 April 1993, gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. The Act, also known as the Panchayats Act, introduced local self-governance in rural and urban India, providing a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj consisting of Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. This system aimed to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level and entrusted PRIs with the task of rural development, economic development, and the implementation of government schemes. The Act also included provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, ensuring representation for marginalized sections of society.
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What You'll Learn
The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992
The Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier structure of local self-government, consisting of Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samitis at the block level, and Zila Parishads at the district level. This system was inaugurated in 1973 by the West Bengal Panchayat Act but was adopted into the Constitution of India through the 73rd Amendment in 1992.
The main objectives of the Panchayati Raj system are planning and development, with the Gram Panchayat serving as the organisation for direct participation of village inhabitants in local government. The Panchayat Samiti acts as the executive body, while the Zila Parishad functions as the advisory and supervisory body, with the District Collector as its chairman.
The 73rd Amendment Act addressed the inherent weaknesses of the previous system, such as a lack of financial resources, irregular elections, and inadequate representation of marginalised groups. The Act made it compulsory for every state to establish Panchayats and mandated the devolution of powers and responsibilities to these bodies. It also provided for regular elections every five years, conducted by independent state election commissions, and ensured reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
The Amendment further enabled Panchayats to prepare economic development plans, levy and collect taxes, and implement central and state government schemes, including those related to the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. The Act aimed to strengthen local self-governance and empower communities at the grassroots level, marking a significant step towards decentralised democracy in India.
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Three-tier system
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which came into force in India on 24 April 1993, provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The PRIs are a system of rural local self-government in India, with the primary objectives of planning and development. The Act introduced local self-governance in rural and urban India, aiming to build democracy at the grassroots level.
The three-tier system of Panchayati Raj includes Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. This system was inaugurated in June 1973 by the West Bengal Panchayat Act and is currently in place in most Indian states and the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The names of these tiers vary in different parts of India due to cultural and linguistic differences.
Gram Panchayat consists of all registered voters in the area, allowing village inhabitants to directly participate in local government. The members of the Gram Panchayat are directly elected by the village population for a five-year term. The elected head of the Gram Panchayat is called the Sarpanch, who often presides over the Sabha meetings.
The Panchayat Samiti is an indirectly elected body that should function as the executive body. The Zila Parishad, also indirectly elected, acts as an advisory and supervisory body, with the District Collector as its chairman.
The three-tier system of Panchayati Raj aims to facilitate democratic decentralisation and community development by involving locals in planning and decision-making processes. The PRIs are tasked with economic development, strengthening social justice, and implementing central and state government schemes. The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution lists 29 functions within the purview of the Panchayati Raj bodies, including the ability to levy and collect taxes, duties, tolls, and fees.
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Gram Sabha
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in India. The Act came into force on 24 April 1993.
Now, here is some detailed information about Gram Sabha:
Gram Panchayat elections occur every five years, and all residents of the village who are over the age of 18 can vote. The government of India has set restrictions on these elections to encourage the participation of women in the democratic process, reserving one-third of the seats for women. The elected members, along with the President and Vice President, form the Gram Panchayat. The term of office for these elected members is typically five years.
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State Election Commission
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in India. The Act came into force on 24 April 1993.
The State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at all levels. The term of PRIs is 5 years, and elections are held regularly every 5 years. The State Election Commission also carries out the preparation of electoral rolls for local bodies and municipalities.
The State Election Commission is headed by a State Election Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor. The Commission has the power of superintendence, direction, and control over the election process.
In Punjab, the State Election Commission was constituted in 1994, under the provisions of Article 243K and 243 ZA of the Constitution of India. The Commission is responsible for conducting elections to PRIs and municipal bodies in the state.
The State Election Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the PRI election process and facilitating local self-governance in rural areas. The Commission's activities contribute to the democratic decentralization that the PRI system aims to achieve.
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Social justice
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which came into force in India on 24 April 1993, gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). This system of rural local self-government in India is managed by local bodies elected by the local people. The PRIs are tasked with "economic development, strengthening social justice and implementation of Central and State Government Schemes including those 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule."
The PRIs are responsible for preparing plans for economic development and social justice, as outlined in the Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G). They have the power to levy and collect taxes, duties, tolls, and fees to support their initiatives. The 74th Amendment also established a District Planning Committee to consolidate the plans prepared by the PRIs and municipalities.
The PRIs have a three-tier structure, including the Gram Panchayat at the village level, the Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and the Zila Parishad at the district level. Elections for members of the PRIs are held every five years, and the elected representatives constitute the Gram Panchayat, while the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are made up of indirectly elected representatives.
While the PRIs have made significant strides towards social justice, there have been challenges. One such challenge is the practice of male relatives assuming the roles of elected women, known as "pradhan pati" or "boss husband". This undermines the intent of reserving seats for women in local governance and highlights the ongoing efforts needed to ensure true social justice in the Panchayati Raj system.
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Frequently asked questions
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.
24 April 1993.
To build democracy at the grassroots level and to introduce local self-governance in rural and urban India.
