Panchayati Raj

Part IX of Constitution

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 added a new Part IX to the Constitution of India, entitled ‘The Panchayats’
• Part IX of the Constitution consists of Articles 243 to 243-0, which provides for various provisions regarding the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

Eleventh Schedule (11th Schedule) to Constitution

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 has also added a new Eleventh Schedule (11th Schedule) to the Indian Constitution.
• This Eleventh Schedule (11th Schedule) outlines the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats.
• It contains a comprehensive list of 29 functions that have been devolved to Panchayats to enable them to govern and manage a variety of local issues effectively.

Duration of Panchayats

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provides for a five-year term of office to the Panchayat at every level from the date of its first meeting.
  • However, it can be dissolved before the completion of its term.
• Fresh elections to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed:
  • before the expiry of its duration of five years,
  • in case of dissolution, before the expiry of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

Overview of Panchayati Raj System

• Introduced: Formally established through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

• Constitutional Backing: Incorporated as Part IX of the Indian Constitution.

• Article Coverage: Articles 243 to 243-O.

• Schedule: Added the 11th Schedule, which lists 29 subjects for Panchayats.

• Structure of Panchayati Raj

  The system follows a three-tier structure:

  1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level)

     • Headed by: Sarpanch (elected)

     • Members: Elected from the Gram Sabha (village assembly)

     • Functions: Water supply, sanitation, village roads, welfare schemes

  2. Panchayat Samiti (Block/Mandal Level)

     • Coordinates between Gram Panchayats

     • Implements development programs across villages in a block

  3. Zila Parishad (District Level)

     • Highest tier at the district level

     • Coordinates activities of Panchayat Samitis

     • Allocates resources and oversees planning at the district level

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed in 1992 and became an Act during the Narasimha Rao Government.
• It added Part IX to Constitution which is titled "The Panchayats" and deals with the provisions of Articles 243 to 243 0.

Structure of Panchayati Raj

The system follows a three-tier structure:

1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level)

   • Headed by: Sarpanch (elected)

   • Members: Elected from the Gram Sabha (village assembly)

   • Functions: Water supply, sanitation, village roads, welfare schemes

2. Panchayat Samiti (Block/Mandal Level)

   • Coordinates between Gram Panchayats

   • Implements development programs across villages in a block

3. Zila Parishad (District Level)

   • Highest tier at the district level

   • Coordinates activities of Panchayat Samitis

   • Allocates resources and oversees planning at the district level

Overview of Panchayati Raj System

• Introduced: Formally established through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

• Constitutional Backing: Incorporated as Part IX of the Indian Constitution.

• Article Coverage: Articles 243 to 243-O.

• Schedule: Added the 11th Schedule, which lists 29 subjects for Panchayats.

• The Gram Sabha is a general body consisting of all registered voters in a village or group of villages in rural areas.
• It is empowered to exercise several functions and powers, such as approving plans and programs for social and economic development, monitoring the implementation of government schemes, and mobilizing local resources for community development .
• The Gram Sabha also has the power to approve the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat and to hold it accountable for its performance.
• The 73rd Amendment seeks to promote participatory democracy and decentralize power to the grassroots level in rural areas

The second state was Andhra Pradesh, while Maharashtra was the ninth state.

The 74th Amendment Act of 1992 provides a basic framework of decentralisation of powers and authorities to the Municipal bodies at different levels

Introduction

• The 74th Amendment Act has added a new Part IX-A to the Constitution of India.
• This part is entitled as ‘The Municipalities’ and consists of provisions from Articles 243-P to 243-ZG. 
• Additionally, the act also added a new Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution. This schedule contains 18 functional items of municipalities.

The 74th Amendment Act of 1992 provides a basic framework of decentralisation of powers and authorities to the Municipal bodies at different levels

Introduction

• The 74th Amendment Act has added a new Part IX-A to the Constitution of India.
• This part is entitled as ‘The Municipalities’ and consists of provisions from Articles 243-P to 243-ZG. 
• Additionally, the act also added a new Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution. This schedule contains 18 functional items of municipalities.
• The Act has brought Municipalities under the purview of the justiciable part of the Constitution.