Question

Explain any five provisions of the constitutional amendments of 1992 which strengthened the third tier of democracy in India?

Hint:

The 73rd and 74th Amendments of 1992 made local government stronger. List the rules on elections, reservation, the State Election Commission and sharing of powers.

Answer 1

Step 1: Context of the 1992 amendments:
Local government is called the third tier of democracy, after the Union and the State governments. Before 1992, elections to local bodies were irregular and the bodies had few powers and little money.
In 1992, the 73rd Amendment (for rural panchayats) and the 74th Amendment (for urban municipalities) made local government more powerful and more effective.

Step 2: Provision 1: Regular elections:
It is now constitutionally compulsory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. Earlier, state governments could delay elections for years.

Step 3: Provision 2: Reservation for weaker sections:
Seats are reserved in the elected bodies, and in the executive heads of these institutions, for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. This gives them a voice in local decisions.

Step 4: Provision 3: Reservation for women:
At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. This brought lakhs of women into public life.

Step 5: Provision 4: State Election Commission:
An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State. It conducts panchayat and municipal elections, so these elections are no longer controlled by the state government of the day.

Step 6: Provision 5: Sharing of powers and revenue:
State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State.

Final Answer:
The 1992 amendments strengthened the third tier through regular elections, reservation for SC, ST, OBC, one-third seats for women, a State Election Commission, and sharing of powers and revenue by the states. \[ \boxed{\text{Regular elections, reservations, one-third seats for women, State Election Commission, sharing of powers and revenue}} \]