UPSC Prelims 2011 Q11: Indian Polity – Local Government & Panchayati Raj
The Constitution (Seventy - Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the
Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following?
1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
3. Establishment of State Finance Commissions.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
What the 73rd Amendment (1992) actually provides
The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (rural local government).
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Constitution of District Planning Committees | Incorrect | District Planning Committees are provided under Article 243ZD, inserted by the 74th Amendment (which deals with municipalities, not panchayats) |
| 2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections | Correct | Article 243K mandates a State Election Commission for superintendence, direction and control of panchayat elections |
| 3. Establishment of State Finance Commissions | Correct | Article 243-I requires the Governor to constitute a State Finance Commission every five years to review panchayat finances |
73rd vs 74th Amendment (both 1992, both effective 1993):
| Point | 73rd Amendment | 74th Amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Panchayats (rural) | Municipalities (urban) |
| Part added | Part IX | Part IXA |
| District Planning Committee | Not here | Here (Article 243ZD) |
| Common machinery | State Election Commission, State Finance Commission | Apply to both tiers |
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are also correct provisions of the 73rd Amendment.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong; District Planning Committees come from the 74th Amendment, not the 73rd.
- (c) CORRECT. The 73rd Amendment provides for the State Election Commission and State Finance Commission; District Planning Committees belong to the 74th Amendment.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong; it is the 74th Amendment, dealing with municipalities, that provides for District Planning Committees.
Key point
73rd Amendment (Panchayats): State Election Commission (Art 243K), State Finance Commission (Art 243-I). District Planning Committee (Art 243ZD) belongs to the 74th Amendment (municipalities).
Remember
District Planning Committee = 74th Amendment (urban), not 73rd (panchayats).
Common mistakes
- Assuming 'District Planning Committee' sounds rural, so it must belong to the 73rd (panchayat) Amendment.
- Not knowing the 73rd and 74th Amendments were passed together but cover panchayats and municipalities separately.
- Forgetting that State Election Commission and State Finance Commission are common machinery for both local-government tiers.
Exam tip
'District Planning Committee' is a municipal-law (74th Amendment) term, even though districts sound rural. Keep panchayat and municipal provisions separate.
Sources
- Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (Panchayati Raj)