Question

What is the extent of reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions?
1. 20%
2. 35%
3. 33%
4. 37%

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 33%

The correct answer is 33%.

• Women have 33.33% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions.

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• The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 mandates 33.3% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country.
  • 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
    • It granted constitutional status and protection to the Panchayati Raj institutions. 
    • It added a new Part-IX titled ‘the panchayats’ and a new Eleventh Schedule containing 29 functional items of the panchayats.
    • It provides for a three-tier Panchayat Raj System at the village, intermediate and district levels.
    • It envisages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj System.

• According to Article 243 (b), a Gram Sabha means a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level.
  • Gram Sabha is the Sabha of the electorate.
    • All other Panchayati Raj institutions like the Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat and Zilla Parishad are constituted by elected representatives.
  • The decisions taken by the Gram Sabha cannot be annulled by any other body.
    • The power to annul a decision of the Gram Sabha rests with the Gram Sabha only.
  • Members of Gram Sabha are 
    • Persons who are above 18 years of age.
    • Persons who live in the village.
    • Persons whose names are included in the electoral rolls for the Panchayat at the village level.
  • According to the State Panchayat Raj Acts, the Gram Sabha must meet at least two to four times a year.
  • The Gram Sabha is organized by the Panchayat Secretary after the approval of the Sarpanch.
  • Sarpanch has to convene a Gram Sabha meeting when either 10% members of Gram Sabha or 50 persons of Gram Sabha (whichever is more) submits their requisition for holding a Gram Sabha.
    • Those members have to inform the purpose of the meeting.
    • The request must be handed to the Sarpanch five days before the date of the meeting.
    • If the Sarpanch fails to hold the meeting, the members who have requested the meeting can organize the meeting themselves.

 

• • Functions of Gram Sabha
    • It helps in the implementation of the development programmes and schemes of the Panchayat.
    • It identifies beneficiaries of different programmes and schemes.
    • If the Gram Sabha fails to identify the beneficiaries the Gram Panchayat identifies the beneficiaries.
    • It garners support for community welfare programmes from the public.
    • It can seek clarification from the Mukhiya, Up-Mukhiya and other members of the Gram Panchayat about any particular activity, scheme, income and expenditure.
    • It considers levy of taxes, rates, rents & fees & enhancement of rates thereof.
    • It considers all such matters that are referred to it by the Gram Panchayat.