GS 2: Governance

Why in News?

The National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated every year in India on 24th April.

Highlights:

• The Constitution of India recognizes Panchayats as ‘Institutions of self-government’.
• This day marks the passing of Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993.
• The Amendment Act permits states to take steps to organize village panchayats and provide them with necessary powers and authority necessary to facilitate them to function as units of self-government.

National Panchayati Raj Day:

• The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in 2010.
• The enactment of the 73rd Amendment Act had led a defining moment in the history of India which helped in the decentralization of political power to the grassroots level.
• In turn, it had led to the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj (PR) through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats.

Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992:

• The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 came into force with effect from 24th April, 1993.
• It has vested constitutional status on Panchayati Raj institutions.
• It marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level.
• The 73rd Amendment 1992 added a new Part IX to the constitution titled The Panchayats covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O).
• A new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats.
• It implemented article 40 of DPSP which says that State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.