Rural Development and Panchayati Raj
This section tests the constitutional basis of local government, the state's three-tier structure and the flagship rural development schemes.
Constitutional frame
The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 came into force on 24 April 1993 and inserted Part IX, Articles 243 to 243-O, with the Eleventh Schedule listing 29 subjects. It provides a three-tier structure, a five-year term, elections within six months of dissolution, and a State Election Commission and State Finance Commission.
State specifics
Madhya Pradesh enacted the Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam in 1993. The tiers are Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat at block level, and Zila Panchayat; the Gram Sabha consists of registered village voters. Reservation for women in state panchayats is 50%, well above the constitutional minimum of one-third.
Schemes
- MGNREGA (2005): 100 days of unskilled manual work per rural household per year, work within 5 km, wages within 15 days, unemployment allowance if not paid, and social audit by the Gram Sabha.
- PMAY-Gramin: assistance in instalments for a pucca house.
- DAY-NRLM: self-help groups, bank linkage and community resource persons.
- Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin and PMGSY for water, sanitation and roads.
Worked example
A Gram Panchayat has 18 wards. With 50% reservation, 9 seats go to women. If only the constitutional one-third applied, the figure would be 6. Reading whether the question asks for the state rule or the constitutional minimum decides between 9 and 6.
Traps
- Writing Panchayat Samiti for the block tier; in Madhya Pradesh it is Janpad Panchayat.
- Confusing the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects, panchayats) with the Twelfth (18 subjects, municipalities).
- Reversing the MGNREGA conditions on the 15-day wage and the unemployment allowance.