73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (Came into force: 24 April 1993)
Objective: Gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to strengthen democratic decentralisation and rural local self-government.
Constitutional Provisions: Inserted Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) in the Constitution.
Eleventh Schedule: Added the Eleventh Schedule, containing 29 subjects that may be devolved to Panchayats.
Three-tier system: Provides for a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure—Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (intermediate/block) and Zila Parishad (district). (Intermediate level may not be constituted in States with a population below 20 lakh.)
Gram Sabha: Recognised as the foundation of rural local self-government.
Reservation: Reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population and not less than one-third of seats (including chairpersons) reserved for women. (Many States have increased women’s reservation to 50% through State laws.)
Tenure: Fixed five-year tenure for Panchayats.
Elections: Fresh elections to be held before the expiry of the term or within six months in case of dissolution.
State Election Commission (SEC): Established for the superintendence, direction and control of Panchayat elections.
State Finance Commission (SFC): To be constituted every five years to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the State and Panchayats.
Applicability: Does not automatically apply to certain areas such as Fifth Schedule Areas, Sixth Schedule Areas, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and certain other notified areas (subject to specific constitutional provisions and laws such as PESA, 1996).
UPSC Prelims Question
Q. With reference to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, consider the following statements:
- It inserted Part IX in the Constitution relating to Panchayats.
- It added the Eleventh Schedule containing 29 subjects.
- It made the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system mandatory in all States, including those with a population below 20 lakh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the intermediate (block) level is not mandatory for States with a population below 20 lakh.
