Panchayati Raj & 73rd Amendment
Revenue & Panchayati Raj · पंचायती राज और 73वां संशोधन
📋Quick Overview
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and came into effect on April 24, 1993, which is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day. It added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and the 11th Schedule (29 subjects) to the Constitution. The amendment has two parts — mandatory provisions (that all states must follow) and discretionary provisions (that states may choose to adopt). It mandated three-tier PRIs, regular elections, reservation for SC/ST/women, and created State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions.
April 24, 1993 = National Panchayati Raj Day (date 73rd Amendment came into effect). Article 243G gives power to state legislatures to endow Panchayats with powers and authority to function as institutions of self-government.
📖Mandatory vs Discretionary Provisions
| Mandatory Provisions | Article | Discretionary Provisions | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-tier PR structure (for states with 20 lakh+ population) | 243B | Reservation for OBCs | 243D(6) |
| Elections every 5 years; election before expiry of term | 243E | Mode of election of President (Sarpanch) of Gram Panchayat | 243C(2) |
| Seats reserved for SC/ST (proportional to population) | 243D | Devolution of power to Panchayats for 11th Schedule subjects | 243G |
| Minimum 1/3 seats reserved for women (all levels) | 243D(3) | Giving taxing powers to Panchayats | 243H |
| State Election Commission (SEC) for superintendence of PR elections | 243K | Grants-in-aid from Consolidated Fund of State | 243I |
| State Finance Commission every 5 years | 243I | Auditing of Panchayat accounts | 243J |
📝11th Schedule — 29 Subjects
- •Agriculture, land improvement, soil conservation, minor irrigation, watershed development
- •Animal husbandry, dairying, poultry, fisheries
- •Social and farm forestry, minor forest produce, fuel and fodder
- •Rural housing, small-scale industries, khadi/village/cottage industries
- •Rural electrification, non-conventional energy, education (primary and secondary), technical training
- •Cultural activities, markets and fairs, libraries, poverty alleviation programmes
- •Public health, sanitation, family welfare, drinking water, roads and bridges, social welfare