Decentralisation of Power to Panchayats and Local Bodies

for Ministry of Panchayati Raj | Date - 23-08-2012


The Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri V

Raj Shri V. Chandra has said that at Village, Intermediate and District levels except for States having a population of less than 20 which may not constitute a at the Intermediate level; (b) Regular elections to the every five years; (c) Reservation of seats and offices of chairpersons for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women at each level of and (d) Constitution of State Finance Commission and State Election Commission. Similarly as per the 74th Amendment to the Constitution, Part IX A of the Constitution mandates (a) Constitution of Municipalities, Ward Committees etc. (b) Regular elections to Municipalities (c) Reservation of seats and offices of chairpersons for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women and (d) Constitution of District Planning Committee at the District level to consolidate the plans prepared by the and the Municipalities in the District and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole. These mandatory provisions have ensured the existence of democratic local bodies.

and Municipalities with powers and authority to enable them to function as institutes of self governance. Since Articles 243G and 243W allow discretion to the States in the matter of devolution of powers respectively to and Municipalities, States vary in the extent to which they have devolved powers to the and Municipalities to plan, implement and monitor schemes for economic development and social justice. The present status of devolution of Functions, Funds and Functionaries (3 Fs) to by various States/UTs is given at Annexure.

Raj () and Ministry of Urban Development have continuously urged States/UTs to devolve powers to the and Municipalities respectively in accordance with the Constitutional stipulation.The Ministry of Raj has no proposal to bring in amendment in legislation in this respect. Replying to a written question in Sabha today, he said,



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