Charu Latha
The 73rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1992 added a new Part IX consisting of 16 Articles and Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution. This Amendment envisages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj System, to perform functions, and also powers are entrusted to it by the State Legislatures. It was looked upon as “a step towards political empowerment of the people at the grassroots level."
Panchayat is a self-governmental body constituted for the rural areas. A direct election shall be held for each constituency to constitute the Panchayat. The territorial constituency shall be divided on the basis of the ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted to it.
The important features introduced under the 73rd Amendment include:
The Panchayat Institutions are constituted at three levels for the states having a population of more than 20 lakhs.
Gram Panchayat – lowest level
Panchayat Samiti – block level
Zila Parishad – district level.
Reservation of Seats
Article 243D of the Constitution deals with the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at all levels in proportion to their population.
This Article also provides for the reservation of 1/3rd seats for women.
The tenure for the Panchayats has been fixed as five years. In the event of dissolution, elections shall be held compulsorily within six months.
State Finance Commission is to be appointed for making recommendations as regards the financial powers of the Panchayats.
District Planning Committees are to be constituted to prepare development plans for the district as a whole.
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