Consider the following statements:
1.The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act provided a constitutional status to urban local bodies.
2.The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act extends the provisions of Panchayats to the tribal areas of twelve states.
3.The National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24th every year in India.
Which of the statements above is/are correct?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) 3 only

Explanation:

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) gave constitutional status to rural local bodies (Panchayats), not urban local bodies. Urban local bodies were dealt with under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992), which provides constitutional status to urban local governance (municipalities and municipal corporations).

• The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) was enacted in 1996 to extend the provisions of the 73rd Amendment to the Scheduled Areas. However, it does not apply to all tribal areas; it applies to Scheduled Areas in nine states, not twelve. The states are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal.

• National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24th every year in India. This day commemorates the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act on April 24, 1993, which came into force to empower rural local bodies (Panchayats).

Information Booster:

73rd Amendment Act, 1992 – Key Features

Gram Sabha

• The Gram Sabha is the foundational unit of India's democratic system, comprising individuals registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the jurisdiction of a Panchayat.

Three-Tier System

• According to Article 243B of the Constitution of India, Panchayats must be established at the village, intermediate, and district levels in each state.
• However, states with a population of less than 20 lakh may choose to exclude the intermediate level.

Election of Members and Chairpersons

• Members of Panchayats at all levels are directly elected by the people.
• The chairperson of the intermediate and district-level Panchayats is indirectly elected by the elected members of the respective Panchayat.
• State Election Commissions are responsible for overseeing Panchayat elections.

Reservation of Seats

• Seats in Panchayats at all levels are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), as well as for women, based on their population proportions.
• One-third of the total seats in Panchayats, including chairperson positions, are reserved for women.

Duration of Panchayats

• Article 243E stipulates that each Panchayat will serve for five years from the date of its first meeting, unless it is dissolved earlier as per relevant laws.

Powers and Functions of Panchayats

• The powers and functions of Panchayats are determined by the State Legislature.
• Panchayats are responsible for preparing plans for economic development and social justice.
• They also implement Central and State government schemes aimed at improving the welfare of the people at the grassroots level.
• Panchayats are empowered to enhance employment opportunities and carry out developmental activities within their jurisdiction.

Prohibition on Court Interference in Electoral Matters

• The 73rd Amendment prohibits courts from intervening in Panchayat elections.
• Election challenges can only be made through an election petition, which must be filed in the prescribed manner with the appropriate authority.

Additional Knowledge: The 74th Amendment Act (urban local bodies) and 73rd Amendment Act (rural local bodies) are key for decentralized governance in India.