73rd Amendment of Constitution of India.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment 1992
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment 1992 was introduced by the Congress government under the leadership or P.V. Narasimha Rao.
The historic Amendment was passed by the Parliament of India on 22nd December, 1992. In India 24th April every year is celebrated as Panchayati Raj Day because on 24th April 1993 the 73rd Constitutional Amendment was ratified by more than half of the total number of State Assemblies.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 accorded constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). So, it is regarded as a revolutionary step to build democracy at the grassroots level in the country.
Main Features of the 73rd amendment of Constitutional of India
1). Gram Sabha : Gram Sabha consisting of all the eligible voters in the village has been made the soul of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to discuss and decide their own problems. It is the Gram Sabha to which the panchayat will be accountable.
2). 3-Tier System : It provides for 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj in every state. Panchayat at village level, Panchayat Samiti at intermediate (Block) level and Zila Parishad at district level.
However, a state having a population of less than 20 lakhs may not Constitute panchayats at the intermediate level.
3).Direct Election : All the members of the panchayats at the intermediate and district levels shall be elected directly by the people. However, it provides for indirect election ror chairperson at the intermediate and district level.
4. Reservation for Women : It provides for the reservation or 1/3rd Of the total seats for women. The Cabinet Committee has approved for 50 percent representation of women in Panchayats.
It also provides for the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
5. Financial Powers : Panchayti Raj Institutions (PRI) can now levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and rees as may be laid down by the state governments.
6. State Finance Commission : In order to review the financial position of I the Panchayats, the Governor of the state shall constitute a State Finance Commission.
7.Bar on Interference by Courts : The Act bars the interference by courts in the electoral matters of Panchayats and thus avoids unnecessary delays in electoral process.
8.Duration Of Panchayats : There shall be mandatory periodic elections every five years under the control or the State Election Commission and where superseded in mid-term, a mid-term election within six months.
9. 11th schedule : This Act added XI Schedule to the Constitution of India which contains 29 items placed within the purview of the Panchayats.
10. Planning : Panchayat] Raj Institutions will prepare plans for economic development and social justice. Panchayat Planning Commitee (PPO) will prepare the plan at Panchyat level. Likewise the Municipal Planning committee (MPC) will prepare the plan at Municipal level. All these plans integrated at district level under the District Planning Committee (DPC).
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