The Panchayats functions and responsibilities with special reference to 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments

<–2/”>a >The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, 1992, which gave Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) respectively, in both letter and spirit in order to bring about greater decentralisation and increase the involvement of the community in planning and implementing schemes and, thus, increase accountability.

The Amendments left important matters such as implementation, service delivery (including local capacity building) and transfer of responsibilities and powers to rural local bodies at the discretion of the state legislatures. Consequently, while expenditure responsibilities of local bodies are extensively enhanced, there is no law to ensure a corresponding assignment of funds to match the additional responsibilities.

Panchayats And Municipalities will be “institutions of self-government”.

1. Basic units of democratic system-Gram Sabhas (villages) and Ward Committees (Municipalities) comprising all the adult members registered as voters.

2. Three-tier system of panchayats at village, intermediate block/taluk/mandal and district levels except in States with Population is below 20 lakhs (ARTICLE 243B).

3. Seats at all levels to be filled by direct Elections [Article 243C (2)].

4. Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and chairpersons of the Panchayats at all levels also shall be reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population.

5. One-third of the total number of seats to be reserved for Women. One third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs also reserved for women. One-third offices of chairpersons at all levels reserved for women (Article 243D).

6. Uniform five year term and elections to constitute new bodies to be completed before the expiry of the term. In the event of Dissolution, elections compulsorily within six months (Article 243E).

7. Independent Election Commission in each State for superintendence, direction and control of the electoral rolls (Article 243K).

8. Panchayats to prepare plans for Economic Development and social Justice in respect of subjects as devolved by law to the various levels of Panchayats including the subjects as illustrated in Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G).

9. 74th Amendment provides for a District Planning Committee to consolidate the plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities (Article 243ZD).

10. Funds: Budgetary allocation from State Governments, share of revenue of certain taxes, collection and retention of the revenue it raises, Central Government programmes and grants, Union Finance Commission grants (Article 243H).

11. Establish a Finance Commission in each State to determine the principles on the basis of which adequate financial Resources would be ensured for panchayats and municipalities (Article 243I).

The civic functions relating to sanitation, cleaning of public roads, drains and ponds, public toilets and lavatories, primary Health care, vaccination, supply of drinking water, constructing public wells, street lighting, social health and primary and adult Education, etc. are obligatory functions of village panchayats. The optional functions depend on the resources of the panchayats. They may or may not perform such functions as tree plantation on road sides, setting up of breeding centres for cattle, organising child and maternity welfare, promotion of agriculture, etc.

The State Finance Commissions are required to recommend financial support from the state and principles for determination of taxes, tolls and fees that could be assigned to or appropriated by the local bodies

Article 243I of the Indian Constitution prescribes that the Governor of a State shall, as soon as may be within one year from the commencement of the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992, and thereafter at the expiration of every fifth year, constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendations to the Governor as to

The principles which should govern

The distribution between the State and the Panchayats of the net proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees leviable by the State, which may be divided between them under this Part and the allocation between the Panchayats at all levels of their respective Shares of such proceeds;
The determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned as, or appropriated by, the Panchayats;
The grants-in-aid to the Panchayats from the Consolidated Fund of the State;

The Panchayats are local self-government institutions in India. They are responsible for planning and implementing development schemes, providing basic amenities and Services, and maintaining law and order. They also play a role in resolving local disputes and promoting social justice.

The Panchayats were established by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992. These amendments provided for the devolution of powers and functions to the Panchayats. The Panchayats are elected bodies that are made up of elected representatives from the village, intermediate, and district levels.

The Panchayats are responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

Planning for economic development and social justice
Providing basic amenities and services
Maintaining law and order
Protecting the Environment
Promoting women’s Empowerment
Providing education and health services
Promoting rural development
Providing EMPLOYMENT opportunities
Resolving local disputes
Participating in the planning process
Holding regular elections
Maintaining accounts and records
Submitting reports to the government
Providing information to the public
Holding public hearings
Ensuring Transparency and Accountability

The Panchayats are an important part of the Indian Democracy. They provide a platform for local people to participate in decision-making and to hold their elected representatives accountable. The Panchayats are also an important tool for rural development. They have been successful in providing basic amenities and services to rural areas, and in promoting economic development.

The Panchayats have been facing a number of challenges, including:

Lack of financial resources
Lack of capacity
Lack of coordination with other government agencies
Lack of public awareness

Despite these challenges, the Panchayats have made significant progress in improving the lives of people in rural India. They have played a key role in providing basic amenities and services, such as water, sanitation, education, and health care. They have also been successful in promoting economic development and social justice.

The Panchayats have the potential to play an even greater role in the development of rural India. However, they need to be strengthened and supported by the government and the people. With adequate resources and support, the Panchayats can make a real difference in the lives of people in rural India.

One of the most important challenges facing the Panchayats is the lack of financial resources. The Panchayats are not adequately funded by the government. This has made it difficult for them to carry out their functions effectively. The Panchayats need to be provided with adequate financial resources so that they can function effectively.

Another challenge facing the Panchayats is the lack of capacity. The Panchayats do not have the capacity to carry out their functions effectively. This is because they do not have the necessary skills and knowledge. The Panchayats need to be provided with training and capacity building so that they can function effectively.

The Panchayats also face the challenge of lack of coordination with other government agencies. The Panchayats are not well coordinated with other government agencies. This has made it difficult for them to carry out their functions effectively. The Panchayats need to be better coordinated with other government agencies so that they can function effectively.

The Panchayats also face the challenge of lack of public awareness. The people are not aware of the role of the Panchayats. This has made it difficult for the Panchayats to function effectively. The Panchayats need to create awareness among the people about their role so that they can function effectively.

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments were passed in 1992 to provide for the establishment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the village, intermediate and district levels. The amendments also provided for a three-tier system of PRIs in rural areas and a two-tier system in urban areas.

The functions and responsibilities of PRIs are as follows:

Planning for economic development and social justice
Implementation of development schemes
Mobilization of resources
Maintenance of Law and Order
Provision of basic amenities
Promotion of education and health
Protection of environment
Promotion of culture and Sports
Maintenance of civil supplies
Regulation of markets
Registration of births and deaths
Maintenance of records
Collection of taxes and fees
Other functions as may be entrusted to them by the State Government.

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments have had a significant impact on the functioning of PRIs. They have helped to decentralize power and bring government closer to the people. They have also helped to improve the delivery of services to the people.

However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed in order to further strengthen PRIs. These include the need for greater financial autonomy, the need for capacity building, and the need for greater participation of women and marginalized groups.

Despite these challenges, PRIs have made a significant contribution to the development of India. They have helped to improve the lives of millions of people and have made a positive impact on the country’s development.

Here are some frequently asked questions about PRIs:

What are PRIs?

PRIs are Panchayati Raj Institutions. They are local self-government bodies that have been established at the village, intermediate and district levels in India.

What are the functions of PRIs?

The functions of PRIs are as follows:

Planning for economic development and social justice
Implementation of development schemes
Mobilization of resources
Maintenance of law and order
Provision of basic amenities
Promotion of education and health
Protection of environment
Promotion of culture and sports
Maintenance of civil supplies
Regulation of markets
Registration of births and deaths
Maintenance of records
Collection of taxes and fees
Other functions as may be entrusted to them by the state government.
What are the benefits of PRIs?

The benefits of PRIs include the following:

They help to decentralize power and bring government closer to the people.
They help to improve the delivery of services to the people.
They help to promote participation of people in decision-making.
They help to promote social justice and Equity.
They help to promote Sustainable Development.
What are the challenges faced by PRIs?

The challenges faced by PRIs include the following:

Lack of financial autonomy
Lack of capacity building
Lack of participation of women and marginalized groups
Lack of coordination between different levels of government
Lack of accountability
What can be done to address the challenges faced by PRIs?

The following can be done to address the challenges faced by PRIs:

Provide PRIs with greater financial autonomy.
Build the capacity of PRIs.
Promote participation of women and marginalized groups in PRIs.
Improve coordination between different levels of government.
Increase accountability of PRIs.

The following are some MCQs on the topic of the Panchayats functions and responsibilities with special reference to 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments:

Which of the following is not a function of the Panchayats?
(A) To prepare plans for economic development and social justice
(B) To maintain law and order
(C) To manage rural development programmes
(D) To promote education, health and sanitation
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments were passed in the year:
(A) 1992
(B) 1993
(C) 1994
(D) 1995
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments provide for the establishment of:
(A) Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
(B) Nagar Panchayats
(C) Municipal Corporations
(D) All of the above
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments provide for the devolution of powers and responsibilities to the PRIs in the following areas:
(A) Agriculture
(B) Rural development
(C) Education
(D) All of the above
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments provide for the reservation of seats for women and SCs/STs in the PRIs. The Percentage of seats reserved for women is:
(A) 33%
(B) 40%
(C) 50%
(D) 60%
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments provide for the reservation of seats for women and SCs/STs in the PRIs. The percentage of seats reserved for SCs/STs is:
(A) 15%
(B) 20%
(C) 25%
(D) 30%
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments provide for the establishment of a State Finance Commission (SFC) in each state. The SFC is responsible for:
(A) Devolving funds to the PRIs
(B) Reviewing the financial position of the PRIs
(C) Making recommendations for the improvement of the financial position of the PRIs
(D) All of the above
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments provide for the establishment of a State Election Commission (SEC) in each state. The SEC is responsible for:
(A) Conducting elections to the PRIs
(B) Supervising the functioning of the PRIs
(C) Making recommendations for the improvement of the functioning of the PRIs
(D) All of the above
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments have been hailed as a major step towards Decentralization and empowerment of the people. However, there have been some criticisms of these amendments. One of the criticisms is that:
(A) The PRIs have not been able to function effectively due to lack of funds
(B) The PRIs have not been able to function effectively due to lack of political will
(C) The PRIs have not been able to function effectively due to lack of awareness among the people
(D) All of the above
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments have been a major step towards decentralization and empowerment of the people. However, there is still a long way to go. Some of the challenges that need to be addressed include:
(A) Strengthening the financial position of the PRIs
(B) Increasing political will to support the PRIs
(C) Raising awareness among the people about the PRIs
(D) All of the above