At last Government enacted the 73rd Constitutional mendment, which was passed by Parliament on 23rd December 1992 and became effective on 24th April 1993. This Act has added Part - IX to the Constitution of India. It is entitled as 'The Panchayats' and consists of provisions from articles 243 to 243-0. The Act has given a practical shape to Article 40 of the Constitution and gives a constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Constitutional Amendment ensures, a three tier structure at the zilla, block and village levels, an election commission to hold election periodically.
The main features of the Act are
A 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having population of over 20 lakh;
Panchayath elections regularly every 5 years;
reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women (not less than one-third of seats);
appointment of State Finance Commission to make recommendations as regards the financial powers of the Panchayats and
Constitution of District Planning Committees to prepare development plans for the district as a whole.
As per the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, the Panchayati Raj Institutions have been endowed with such powers and authority as may be necessary to function as institutions of self government and contains provisions of devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats at the appropriate level with reference to (a) the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice; and (b) the implementation of such schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them.
Participants