Local Government: PRIs and Municipalities
Study the decentralization of power to the grassroots level via the 73rd and 74th Amendments, evaluating their successes and structural bottlenecks.
Learning Objectives
- •Outline the compulsory provisions of the 73rd and 74th Amendments
- •Evaluate the challenges faced by local bodies (the 3Fs)
- •Analyze the significance and implementation of the PESA Act
Detailed Analysis
Democratic decentralisation was a Gandhian DPSP (Art 40) realized constitutionally via the 73rd (Panchayats) and 74th (Municipalities) Amendment Acts of 1992. These amendments established a uniform three-tier system of local governance, mandated regular 5-year elections via a State Election Commission, and ensured the reservation of seats for SC/STs (proportionate to population) and women (minimum 1/3rd).
While structurally sound, UPSC analysis focuses on the functional reality. PRIs suffer from the '3Fs' deficit: lack of Funds, Functions, and Functionaries. States are often reluctant to devolve the subjects listed in the 11th and 12th schedules. Furthermore, phenomena like 'Sarpanch Pati' (husbands ruling by proxy for elected women) undermine the goal of gender empowerment. The PESA Act (1996) is another critical area; it extends Panchayat provisions to Scheduled Areas, ostensibly preserving tribal autonomy over resources like minor forest produce, though its implementation remains weak against mining interests.
" 'Despite constitutional status, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have structurally failed to act as genuine institutions of local self-government.' Evaluate the reasons for this failure. "
1. Introduction: Briefly mention the 73rd Amendment and its goal of empowering the grassroots. 2. Discuss the 'Funds' problem: Over-reliance on tied grants, very limited internal tax collection. 3. Discuss the 'Functions' problem: Many states have not fully devolved the 29 subjects in the 11th Schedule. 4. Discuss the 'Functionaries' problem: Lack of trained secretarial staff; parallel bodies (like parastatals) bypassing PRIs. 5. Social issues: Proxy representation via 'Sarpanch Pati'. 6. Conclusion: PRIs are currently functioning more as implementing agencies for central/state schemes rather than self-governing bodies.
Key Concepts
Subsidiarity Principle
The idea that a central authority should perform only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level. PRIs embody this principle.
Terminology
Historical Insight
Gram Sabha vs State
In the landmark Niyamgiri case, the Supreme Court upheld the power of the Gram Sabha under PESA/FRA to decide on Vedanta's bauxite mining project in Odisha.
Quick Check
Which schedule lists the functional items for Municipalities?
What is the population threshold below which a state can skip the intermediate Panchayat tier?
How to use this lesson
Read the overview first, then explain the main idea in your own words before checking the key concepts. Use the quick-check questions without looking at the answer. For examination preparation, verify dates, definitions, and syllabus requirements against your official textbook and school or examination-board guidance.
Test Your Knowledge
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