Q6 of 9 Page 193

Read the provisions of the 73rd Amendment. Which of the following concerns does this amendment address?

A. Fear of replacement makes representatives accountable to the people.


B. The dominant castes and feudal landlords dominate the local bodies.


C. Rural illiteracy is very high. Illiterate people cannot take decisions about the development of the village.


D. To be effective the village panchayats need resources and powers to make plans for the village development.

A. The act of 73rd amendment it became mandatory to hold election after the term of every five years. If the State government dissolves the Panchayats before the end of its five years term, fresh elections must be held within six months period. This fear of replacement makes the representative accountable to the people.


B. After the 73rd Amendment act, the dominant caste and feudal landlords dominance on the local bodies came to an end. In the year 1993, reservations for women, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes were made essential. The women have been given 1/3 reservation in local bodies like that of Villages Panchayat etc. Seats have also been reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion of their population. The dominant caste and feudal landlords who had their authority and control on the villages do not wish to give up their power which leads to conflict and tension in the village.


C. It is true that rural illiteracy is very high and illiterate people cannot take decisions about the development of the village. Education including primary and secondary education is the subjects included in the jurisdiction of Panchayati Raj institutions are listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. There are 29 subjects inserted in this Schedule in 1992 by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. It is the responsibility of State government to apply these provisions into action.


D. Village Panchayats need resources and powers to make plans for the village development. The Panchayats have been given powers to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and fees as in agreement with the provisions made by the State governments. Establishment of state finance commission review the finances of Panchayats after every five years and to make recommendation of grants to be given to the Panchayats by the State Governments.


More from this chapter

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4

What were the main differences between the local governments before 73rd amendment and after that amendment?

 5

Read the following conversation. Write in two hundred words your opinion about the issues raised in this conversation.

Alok: Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share in power.


Neha: But it is not enough that women should be in positions of power. It is necessary that the budget of local bodies should have separate provision for women.


Jayesh: I don’t like this reservations business. A local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women and their interests.

 7

The following are different justifications given in favour of local government. Give them ranking and explain why you attach greater significance to a particular rationale than the others. According to you, on which of these rationales the decision of the Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village was based? How?

A. Government can complete the projects with lesser cost with the involvement of the local community.


B. The development plans made by the local people will have greater acceptability than those made by the government officers.


C. People know their area needs problems and priorities. By collective participation they should discuss and take decisions about their life.


D. It is difficult for the common people to contact their representatives of the State or the national legislature.

 8

Which of the following according to you involve decentralisation? Why are other options not sufficient for decentralisation?

A. To hold election of the Gram Panchayat.


B. Decision by the villagers themselves about what policies and programmes are useful for the village.


C. Power to call meeting of Gram Sabha.


D. A Gram Panchayat receiving the report from the Block Development Officer about the progress of a project started by the State government.