UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 51 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Seventy Third Amendment Panchayats

ExamUPSC CSE
Year2011
PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
SubjectPolity
TopicLocal Government (Panchayats and Municipalities)
DifficultyMedium
TypeStatement

The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following?

1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.

2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.

3. Establishment of state Finance Commissions.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: C. 2 and 3 only

Verdict

Correct Answer: 2 and 3 only

Analysis

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 deals with Panchayati Raj Institutions in rural areas. It provides for State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions, but District Planning Committees are provided under the 74th Amendment, not the 73rd.

Statement by statement

1. Constitution of District Planning Committees — Incorrect
District Planning Committees are provided under Article 243ZD, which was inserted by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. They prepare district-level development plans by consolidating plans of Panchayats and Municipalities, but constitutionally they belong to the urban local government framework.

2. State Election Commissions — Correct
The 73rd Amendment provides for a State Election Commission under Article 243K. It conducts elections to Panchayats and controls the preparation of electoral rolls.

3. State Finance Commissions — Correct
The 73rd Amendment provides for a State Finance Commission under Article 243I. It is constituted every five years by the Governor to review the financial position of Panchayats and recommend distribution of funds.

Extra UPSC info

The 73rd Amendment added Part IX and the 11th Schedule to the Constitution.
The 11th Schedule contains 29 subjects related to Panchayats.
The 74th Amendment added Part IX-A and the 12th Schedule for Municipalities.
Panchayats have a fixed tenure of 5 years.
Reservation is provided for SCs, STs and not less than one-third seats for women.
Gram Sabha is the foundation of Panchayati Raj.

How to crack it

The 73rd Amendment provides for State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions, but District Planning Committees come under the 74th Amendment. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 and 3 only.