Prior to the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution in 1992, there was no equality in the composition, powers, functions, responsibilities, sources of income, etc. of Panchayati Raj in all of India
Neither the Panchayati Raj Institutions nor the Gram Sabha got constitutional status.
The reserved seats of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were determined in proportion to the population.
Reserved seats for women were limited.
Women could hardly hold positions.
Panchayats were given limited powers by the state.
The performance of the panchayats was disappointing.
Panchayati Raj was weakening in most of the states.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment was enacted in 1992 to make the structure of Panchayati Raj function on an equal footing and to make rural development effective and fruitful.
73rd Constitutional Amendment; Constitutional Act 1992: On April 24, 1993, the 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The main features of the Constitutional Act 1992 are as follows:
To form a three-tier Panchayati Raj in the states with a population of more than 20 lakhs and to form a three-tier Gram Panchayat and District Panchayat in the states with a population of less than 20 lakhs.
The President may make special arrangements for the Union Territories under Article 243.
Panchayat elections will be held every five years. Direct election at all three levels and election of Sarpanch at Gram Panchayat level as decided by the State Legislative Assembly.
To elect the President of Taluka and District Panchayat by the elected members.
To form an Election Commission to conduct elections.
To reserve one-third of the total seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population and for women. Panchayat chairperson positions (Sarpanch or President) should be reserved in the same manner.
The state government will appoint a finance commission to make recommendations on the financial powers of panchayats.
To form a committee to draft the development plans of the entire district.
The State Legislative Panchayat may reserve the post for the citizens of backward castes at any level or for the Speaker at any level.
Adequate funds will be made available for development projects.
If a person is disqualified by the law of the State Legislative Assembly or any other law, that person cannot become a member of the Panchayat.
Pursuant to Section 243 A., the Gram Sabha may exercise powers and perform functions at the village level as per the provisions made by law in the State Legislature.
Section 243 (G) empowers the Panchayati Raj Institutions to plan and implement works of local importance. It is as follows:
(1) agriculture; (2) land reform; (3) miniature irrigation, water management and water development; (4) animal husbandry, dairy industry and poultry farming; (5) the fishing industry; (6) small-scale forest production; (7) the social forest industry and the farm forest industry; (8) Small scale industries including sugarcane industries and
(9) Khadigram and cottage industries.