When did the 73rd Constitutional amendment come into force?

The correct answer is 24th April 1993.

Key Points

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into force on 24th April 1993, marking a landmark event in the history of decentralization in India.
• This amendment provided a constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), ensuring their establishment in every state.
• It introduced a three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj for rural local governance: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
• The act mandated the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women (not less than one-third of the seats) in Panchayats at all levels.
• The act also introduced the concept of a State Election Commission and a State Finance Commission to oversee elections and financial matters of Panchayats, respectively.

Additional Information

• Panchayati Raj System:
  • The Panchayati Raj system is a decentralized form of governance in which each village is responsible for its own affairs.
  • It was first recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957.
• Eleventh Schedule:
  • The 73rd Amendment added the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, which contains 29 subjects under the functional domain of Panchayats.
  • These subjects include agriculture, education, health, rural development, and social welfare, among others.
• State Election Commission:
  • The act established State Election Commissions in every state to conduct free and fair elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  • The Commission is responsible for preparing and revising electoral rolls, supervising elections, and declaring results.
• State Finance Commission:
  • The act mandates the constitution of a State Finance Commission every five years to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the state government and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  • This ensures financial independence and sustainability of PRIs.
• Significance:
  • The 73rd Amendment is considered a milestone in India's democratic evolution as it institutionalized grassroots democracy.
  • It empowered rural citizens to participate in decision-making processes, enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.