Salient Features of Rural and Urban Local Governance under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
Introduction:
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992 represent landmark legislation in India, aimed at decentralizing power and empowering local self-governance in rural and urban areas respectively. These amendments enshrined the principles of democratic decentralization, participatory governance, and empowering local bodies to plan and implement development programs relevant to their specific contexts. Prior to these amendments, local governance structures lacked constitutional backing, leading to weak institutions and limited autonomy. The amendments aimed to rectify this by providing constitutional status and specific powers to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the rural level (73rd Amendment) and Municipalities at the urban level (74th Amendment).
Body:
I. Rural Local Governance (73rd Amendment):
- Constitutional Status: The amendment added Part IX to the Constitution, titled “The Panchayats,” providing a constitutional basis for PRIs. This ensured legal recognition and legitimacy for these institutions.
- Three-Tier Structure: The amendment mandated a three-tier system of Panchayats (Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate level, and Zilla Parishad at the district level), although the specific structure can vary based on state-specific legislation.
- Function Allocation: PRIs were granted powers and responsibilities in areas like agriculture, rural development, education, health, sanitation, and infrastructure development. The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution lists 29 functional items for PRIs.
- Reservation of Seats: The amendment mandates reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women in Panchayats, promoting inclusive governance. One-third of the seats are reserved for women.
- State Election Commission: Each state is required to establish a State Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections to the Panchayats.
- Finance Commission: State Finance Commissions are mandated to review the financial position of Panchayats and recommend measures to improve their financial resources.
II. Urban Local Governance (74th Amendment):
- Constitutional Status: The amendment added Part IX-A to the Constitution, titled “The Municipalities,” providing a constitutional basis for urban local bodies.
- Structure: The amendment does not prescribe a specific structure for municipalities, allowing flexibility for states to adapt to their urban contexts. Common structures include municipalities, municipal corporations, and Nagar Panchayats.
- Function Allocation: Municipalities were granted powers and responsibilities in areas like urban planning, sanitation, water supply, public health, education, and infrastructure development. The Twelfth Schedule lists 18 functional items for Municipalities.
- Reservation of Seats: Similar to the 73rd Amendment, the 74th Amendment mandates reservation of seats for SCs, STs, and women in Municipalities.
- State Election Commission: The State Election Commission is also responsible for conducting elections to Municipalities.
- State Finance Commission: The State Finance Commission also reviews the financial position of Municipalities and makes recommendations for improving their financial resources.
III. Challenges and Gaps:
- Lack of Capacity: Many PRIs and Municipalities lack the technical and managerial capacity to effectively implement development programs.
- Financial Constraints: Despite constitutional provisions, many local bodies face significant financial constraints, hindering their ability to deliver services.
- Political Interference: Political interference from state governments often undermines the autonomy and effectiveness of local bodies.
- Lack of Public Participation: Genuine public participation in local governance remains a challenge in many areas.
- Overlapping Jurisdictions: Sometimes, overlapping jurisdictions between different levels of government create confusion and hinder effective implementation.
Conclusion:
The 73rd and 74th Amendments have been instrumental in strengthening local self-governance in India. They have provided a constitutional framework for PRIs and Municipalities, empowering them to play a crucial role in development. However, significant challenges remain in terms of capacity building, financial autonomy, and ensuring genuine public participation. Moving forward, a multi-pronged approach is needed. This includes strengthening the capacity of local bodies through training and skill development, enhancing their financial resources through innovative mechanisms, promoting transparency and accountability, and minimizing political interference. Furthermore, fostering greater public participation through awareness campaigns and participatory planning processes is crucial. By addressing these challenges, India can truly realize the potential of decentralized governance and achieve holistic and sustainable development, upholding the constitutional values of democracy and social justice.