The correct answer is: d) All of the above.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, was enacted to provide for the establishment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the village, intermediate and district levels. The Act provides for reservation of seats for women, SCs and STs in PRIs. It also provides for regular elections to PRIs and devolves powers and responsibilities to them.
The Act has been instrumental in empowering women and marginalized sections of society. It has also led to the devolution of powers to PRIs, which has helped in improving local governance.
The Act has been hailed as a landmark legislation that has ushered in a new era of decentralization and empowerment in India.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option a: Reservation of seats for women in Panchayats. The Act provides for reservation of one-third of the seats in Panchayats for women. This has led to a significant increase in the number of women in elected positions in PRIs.
- Option b: Regular Panchayat elections. The Act provides for regular elections to Panchayats every five years. This has ensured that PRIs are democratically elected bodies.
- Option c: Devolution of powers to Panchayats. The Act devolves powers and responsibilities to PRIs in the areas of agriculture, rural development, education, health, family welfare, women and child development, social welfare, nutrition, drinking water, public works, housing, urban development, poverty alleviation and employment generation. This has led to an improvement in the delivery of services at the local level.