Question

Consider the following statements regarding the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.

1. One-fourth of the positions in all panchayat institutions are reserved for women.

2. The State government is required to appoint a State Election Commissioner who would be responsible for conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions.

Which among the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 2 only

The correct answer is 2 only.

• The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 added a new part IX consisting of 16 Articles and the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution.

• The 73rd Amendment envisages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj System to perform functions and powers entrusted to it by the State Legislatures.
• At the base is the ‘Gram Panchayat‘. A Gram Panchayat covers a village or group of villages.
• The intermediary level is the Mandal (also referred to as Block or Taluka). These bodies are called Mandal or Taluka Panchayats. The intermediary level body need not be constituted in smaller States.
• At the apex is the Zila Panchayat covering the entire rural area of the District.
• All three levels of Panchayati Raj institutions are elected directly by the people.
• One-third of the positions in all panchayat institutions are reserved for women. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also provided for at all three levels, in proportion to their population.
• The State government is required to appoint a State Election Commissioner who would be responsible for conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• The office of the State Election Commissioner is autonomous like the Election Commissioner of India.
• The State Election Commissioner is an independent officer and is not linked to nor is this officer under the control of the Election Commission of India.