The Story of Indian Democracy — Sociology STD 12 Humanities — Question
CBSE BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 HumanitiesSociologyThe Story of Indian Democracy6 Marks
Question
How Panchayats were formed?
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Answer
When the constitution was being drafted, panchayats did not find a mention in it.
At this juncture, a number of members expressed their sorrow, anger and disappointment over this issue. At the same time, drawing on his own rural experience, Dr. Ambedkar argued that local elites and upper castes were so well entrenched in society that local self-government only meant a continuing exploitation of the downtrodden masses of Indian society.
Gandhiji envisaged each village as a self-sufficient unit conducting its own affairs and saw gram-swarajya to be an ideal model to be continued after independenc.
It was in $1992$ that grass root democracy or decentralized governance was ushered in by the $73^{rd}$ Constitutional Amendment. It is compulsory now for local self government bodies in rural and municipal areas to be elected every $5$ years.
Control of local resources is given to the elected local bodies.
$73^{rd}$ and $74th$ amendments to the Constitution ensured the reservation of one third of the total seats for women in all elected offices of local bodies in both rural and urban areas.
$17$ percent are reserved for women belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
This amendment was significant because for the first time it brought women into elected bodies which also bestowed on them decision making powers.
Thus, one third of the seats in local bodies, gram panchayats, village panchayats, municipalities, city corporations and district boards are reserved for women.
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