Question

Q. The compulsory provisions in the 73rd constitutional amendment act are:

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

• A. 4 only
• B. 1, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer 1

The correct option is C 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Only statement 4 is incorrect.

The compulsory provisions are:

1. Organisation of Gram Sabha in a village or group of villages.
2. Establishment of panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels.
3. Direct elections to all seats in panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels.
4. Indirect elections to the post of chairperson of panchayats at the intermediate and district levels.
5. 21 years to be the minimum age for contesting elections to panchayats.
6. Reservation of seats (both members and chairpersons) for SCs and STs in panchayats at all three levels.
7. Reservation of one-third of seats (both members and chairpersons) for women in panchayats at all three levels.
8. Fixing tenure of five years for panchayats at all levels and holding fresh elections within six months in the event of supersession of any panchayat.
9. Establishment of a State Election Commission for conducting elections to the panchayats.
10. Constitution of a State Finance Commission after every five years to review the financial position of the panchayats.

The voluntary provisions are:

1. Giving representation to members of the Parliament (both the Houses)and the state legislature (both the Houses) in the panchayats at different levels falling within their constituencies.
2. Providing reservation of seats (both members and chairpersons) for backward classes in panchayats at any level.
3. Granting powers and authority to the panchayats to enable them to function as institutions of self-government (in brief, making them autonomous bodies).
4. Devolution of powers and responsibilities upon panchayats to prepare plans for economic development and social justice; and to perform some or all of the 29 functions listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
5. Granting financial powers to the panchayats, that is, authorising them to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees.