The 73rd amendment has been monumental in bringing a voice to the people in the villages. Discuss.

The 73rd amendment of constitution has been monumental in bringing a voice to the people in village due to following reasons -

1) It was a big step in enfranchising women.

2) Out of the total seats in all elected offices of local bodies one third were reserved for women in both rural and urban areas and out of this 17% seats reserved for women belonging to scheduled castes and tribes.

3) In the election of 1993-94, soon after 73rd amendment, almost 8,00,000 women came into the political processes in a single election.

4) It described the three tier system of local governance for the entire country which was affected since 1992-93.

5) It gave power and authority to panchayat to function as Institutions of self-government and required all state governments to revitalize local representative institutions.

6) The 73rd amendment delegated following powers and responsibilities to the panchayat –

a. To prepare plans and schemes for economic development

b. To promote scheme to enhance Social Justice

c. To levy and collect appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees so as to help in devolution of governmental responsibilities