24 April: National Panchayati Raj Day

The National Panchayati Raj Diwas (Day) is celebrated every year in India on 24th April. . This day marks the passing of Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993.  The passage of 73rd Amendment Act is hailed as defining moment in history of democratic India as it permits states to take steps to organize village panchayats and provide them with necessary powers and authority necessary to facilitate them to function as units of self-government.

Background

The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in 2010. The enactment of 73rd Amendment Act  had led a defining moment in the history of India which helped in decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. In turn it had led to institutionalization of Panchayati Raj (PR) through village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats.

73rd Amendment 1992

The 73rd Amendment 1992 added a new Part IX to the constitution titled “The Panchayats” covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O); and a new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats. It implemented article 40 of DPSP which says that “State shall take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.”

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018