Sambhav-2024

• Introduce the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 and its main objective of decentralizing power.
• Discuss the salient features of the Act and explain how these features empowered the PRIs to function as units of self-government.
• Conclude Suitably.

Introduction

The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 was enacted by the Parliament of India to provide constitutional status and recognition to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. The main objective of the Act was to decentralize power and decision-making from the central and state governments to the local self-government bodies at the village, block and district levels, and to empower them to undertake development works in their respective areas.

Body

The salient features of the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 are as follows:

• It provides for a three-tier system of PRIs at the village, intermediate and district levels.
• It provides for the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the women in the PRIs, in proportion to their population at each level.
• It provides for the direct and regular elections to all the seats in the PRIs at every level (except chairpersons, which are indirectly elected), every five years. It also provides for the establishment of a State Election Commission in each state, to conduct, supervise and control the elections to the PRIs.
• It provides for the devolution of powers and responsibilities by the state legislatures to the PRIs, with respect to the preparation and implementation of plans for economic development and social justice, and the delivery of matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
• It provides for the sound finances of the PRIs, by securing the authorization from the state legislatures for grants-in-aid to the PRIs from the Consolidated Fund of the State, and by assigning to the PRIs the revenues of certain taxes, duties, tolls and fees levied by the state government.
  • It provides for the setting up of a State Finance Commission in each state.
• It provides for the auditing of the accounts of the PRIs by the state government, and for the submission of reports to the state legislature and the Gram Sabha.

These features empowered the PRIs in several ways:

The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 empowered the PRIs to function as units of self-government and to undertake development works in their respective areas like:

• Empowerment through Constitutional Amendment: The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 serves as a pivotal legislation, endowing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with the authority to function as self-governing entities.
• Empowering Women: Recognizing the importance of gender equity, the amendment introduces a significant provision of one-third reservation for women in PRIs. This transformative measure aims to ensure women's active representation and participation in local governance, thereby fostering a more inclusive and diverse decision-making environment.
• Localized Development Initiatives: PRIs are empowered to spearhead development projects within their jurisdictions, encompassing crucial areas such as the provision of fundamental amenities like water, electricity, and roads.
• Holistic Community Development: The ambit of PRIs extends beyond mere infrastructure, encompassing pivotal sectors like education, health, sanitation, agriculture, animal husbandry, and social welfare, thereby fostering comprehensive community development.
• Inclusive Governance and Participation: The amendment envisages PRIs as inclusive platforms, providing avenues for the active involvement of all sections of society, particularly empowering the weaker segments and women. These institutions play a crucial role in fostering grassroots-level governance and inclusive decision-making processes.

Conclusion

The 73r^d Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, marked a milestone in Indian governance by recognizing PRIs as the third tier of administration. Despite its aim to decentralize power, challenges like inadequate devolution, state interference, and local elite dominance persist. Strengthening PRIs is crucial for effective grassroots democracy. They should be supported and monitored by central and state governments, along with civil society, to ensure optimal performance.