Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments

Discussed below are impact of both the amendments on Indian local governance:

Positive Impact:

  1. The Amendments have made the structure of Panchyati Raj and Nagar Palika institutions uniform throughout the country. The existence of these local institutions is an accomplishment in itself, as it gives a platform to common citizens to participate in the decision making process.
  2. Reservation for women at the Panchayats and Nagarpalikas has led to the participation of significant number of women in local bodies. Women are now seen occupying the positions of Sarpanch, Adhyaksha and Mayors in Corporations. This a huge step forward in ensuring gender equality in politics and governance.
  3. Reservation of SC, ST and Backward Classes in these local institutions has ensured the participation and inclusivity of all communities in the local governance of the country, thereby making them feel included and valued as a citizen of the country.

Issues with local governments:

  1. The dominant social groups controlling the village do not wish to give up their power to others.
  2. Many women were unable to assert their presence, as they are not taken seriously by men or were mere proxies for the male members of their family who sponsored their election.
  3. Many States have not transferred most of the subjects to the local bodies, meaning that the local bodies cannot function in an effective manner.
  4. The dependence of local bodies on the State and central governments for financial support has greatly limited their capacity to operate effectively.

Related Articles

Local Governments Chapter 8 Class 11 Notes

A Local Government is a body of governance that works at the village/ district level and is the closest to the people, (e.g. Gram Panchayats, Nagarpalikas in India). The local government is involved in the daily lives of individuals living in villages or districts and makes efficient decisions better suited to these people.

This article discusses the Local Government System in India in detail, covering topics from their evolution over time, elections, impact, and the policies that affect Local Governments aka everything important there is to know for Class 11th political science students. Please go through this article properly for a better understanding of the topic.

Local Governments Class 11 Notes

Table of Content

  • Why Local Government?
  • Growth of Local Government in India
  • Local Governments in Independent India
  • 73rd and 74th Amendments
  • Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments

Similar Reads

Why Local Government?

Local government operates at the grassroots level, focusing on the needs and issues of ordinary citizens. It emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and interests in democratic decision-making and efficient administration. Geeta Rathore and the Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village serve as examples of how local governments can effectively protect local interests. Democracy thrives on active participation and accountability, which strong local governments ensure....

Growth of Local Government in India

The growth of local government in India traces back to ancient times when self-governing village communities, known as ‘sabhas’, existed. These evolved into Panchayats, which addressed local issues. In modern times, elected local bodies emerged after 1882, initiated by Lord Rippon. However, progress was slow until the Indian National Congress pushed for more effective local governance. Village Panchayats were established in provinces following the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935....

Local Governments in Independent India

Before the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Acts, efforts were made to develop local government bodies. The Community Development Programme in 1952 aimed to involve people in local development. A three-tier Panchayati Raj system was recommended for rural areas, with some states like Gujarat and Maharashtra adopting elected local bodies around 1960. However, many lacked sufficient powers and relied heavily on state and central governments for funding....

73rd and 74th Amendments

The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, focusing on uniformity in structure of local governments across the nation and strengthening them, were introduced in 1989 and came into force in 1993. The 73rd Amendment concerns governance in rural areas (Panchayati Raj Institutions or PRIs) and the 74th amendment is about urban local governance (Nagarpalikas). Local government is a ‘State Subject’ aka the state has the authority to pass its own laws on the subject; However after the Constitutional revision, the states had to update their legislation to bring them on the same page with the new Constitution....

Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments

Discussed below are impact of both the amendments on Indian local governance:...

Conclusion

We find that local governance system in India has gone through many stages of transition from the ancient era and is today an important part of the governance structure of the country. The local governments are the root of the Indian government because they are the most easily accessible institutions to the people making up majority of the country; Therefore inclusion and participation and election to these local bodies are extremely significant to strengthen the nation and as we have discussed above in detail, the constitutional recognition to the local bodies, has precisely done that....

FAQ’s on Local Government System in India:

What is the purpose of local government in India?...

Contact Us