Correct option is D
The
73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts were passed during the tenure of
P. V. Narasimha Rao, who served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996. These amendments, enacted in 1992, aimed at strengthening the decentralization process in India by giving constitutional recognition to local self-governments. The 73rd Amendment pertains to rural local governance (Panchayati Raj), while the 74th Amendment focuses on urban local governance (Municipalities). Both amendments were landmark steps toward empowering grassroots-level institutions in India, ensuring regular elections, greater financial autonomy, and a more participatory form of governance.
Information Booster:
1. The
73rd Amendment provides for a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) – Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zilla Parishad at the district level.
2. The
74th Amendment is related to the establishment and empowerment of Municipalities in urban areas.
3. Both amendments mandated the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women.
4. These amendments ensured regular elections to local bodies every five years.
5. The amendments also created the State Election Commission and State Finance Commission to oversee elections and financial matters.
6. The goal was to promote decentralized planning and implementation of developmental policies at the local level.