Latest news with #73rdConstitutionalAmendment
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sapkal says no more excuses now; Bawankule calls SC ruling a moment of justice
Nagpur: With the Supreme Court on Tuesday directing the Maharashtra govt to hold elections to all local self-government bodies within four months, the stage is set for long-pending polls. While state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal warned Mahayuti against further delaying tactics, BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule welcomed the judgment as a much-awaited democratic milestone."The Supreme Court has spoken. The govt must now stop searching for escape routes and immediately restore the democratic rights of citizens by conducting local body elections," Sapkal said. "The 73rd Constitutional Amendment created a decentralised power structure through panchayati raj. But over the past several years, the state functioned without elected representatives at the grassroots level. This wasn't accidental — it was deliberate. The BJP's obsession with centralised control, both under Modi-Shah at the Centre and Fadnavis in the state, stalled these polls," he the ruling as a victory for the Constitution and the people, Sapkal added, "Now that the apex court has stepped in, the govt must act without delay and restore dignity to democratic institutions like municipal corporations and panchayats."Bawankule, meanwhile, celebrated the judgment as a morale boost for party workers and a reaffirmation of judicial fairness. "We've all been waiting for this day for the last three years. Today, the top court returned the rightful opportunity to our grassroots workers, who tirelessly serve society with devotion. There is joy on every worker's face," he city's guardian minister connected the decision with the govt's development narrative, stating, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to build a developed India, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is steering Maharashtra towards that vision. These elections will accelerate that momentum."Highlighting the leadership of Fadnavis, Bawankule said the CM consistently consulted legal experts to find a resolution to this issue, and today, his efforts bore fruit. "These upcoming elections will lend momentum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India and the Chief Minister's vision of a progressive Maharashtra."Referring to the recent central govt decision to conduct a caste-based census, Bawankule said that today's judicial verdict similarly fulfills the expectations and aspirations of the to the state cabinet meeting held earlier in the day in the historic town of Choundi in Ahilyanagar district — birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar — Bawankule said, "It's symbolic that this judgment was delivered while we were in Choundi. Justice has truly been served from this sacred land."Nagpur: With the Supreme Court on Tuesday directing the Maharashtra govt to hold elections to all local self-government bodies within four months, the stage is set for long-pending polls. While state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal warned Mahayuti against further delaying tactics, BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule welcomed the judgment as a much-awaited democratic milestone."The Supreme Court has spoken. The govt must now stop searching for escape routes and immediately restore the democratic rights of citizens by conducting local body elections," Sapkal said. "The 73rd Constitutional Amendment created a decentralised power structure through panchayati raj. But over the past several years, the state functioned without elected representatives at the grassroots level. This wasn't accidental — it was deliberate. The BJP's obsession with centralised control, both under Modi-Shah at the Centre and Fadnavis in the state, stalled these polls," he the ruling as a victory for the Constitution and the people, Sapkal added, "Now that the apex court has stepped in, the govt must act without delay and restore dignity to democratic institutions like municipal corporations and panchayats."Bawankule, meanwhile, celebrated the judgment as a morale boost for party workers and a reaffirmation of judicial fairness. "We've all been waiting for this day for the last three years. Today, the top court returned the rightful opportunity to our grassroots workers, who tirelessly serve society with devotion. There is joy on every worker's face," he city's guardian minister connected the decision with the govt's development narrative, stating, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to build a developed India, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is steering Maharashtra towards that vision. These elections will accelerate that momentum."Highlighting the leadership of Fadnavis, Bawankule said the CM consistently consulted legal experts to find a resolution to this issue, and today, his efforts bore fruit. "These upcoming elections will lend momentum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India and the Chief Minister's vision of a progressive Maharashtra."Referring to the recent central govt decision to conduct a caste-based census, Bawankule said that today's judicial verdict similarly fulfills the expectations and aspirations of the to the state cabinet meeting held earlier in the day in the historic town of Choundi in Ahilyanagar district — birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar — Bawankule said, "It's symbolic that this judgment was delivered while we were in Choundi. Justice has truly been served from this sacred land."
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Ensure all beneficiaries get their due share, collector urges Panchayat Raj officials
Kurnool: District Collector F. Ranjith Basha called on Panchayati Raj officials to ensure every beneficiary receives their rightful share, stressing the importance of inclusive development during National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations at the Zilla Parishad office on Thursday. He underscored the significance of the Panchayati Raj system in rural development and decentralised governance. 'Before the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, there was no standardised or permanent administrative mechanism for local governance. Women's participation was as good as non-existent,' he said. Basha credited reforms based on the Balwantrai Mehta and Singvi Committees for shaping the 73rd Amendment, which empowered Panchayati Raj institutions through legal status, finance commission inclusion, regular elections, and reservations for SCs, STs, and women. He highlighted last year's successes, including achieving 100% targets under the Employment Guarantee Scheme and constructing 119 km of CC roads in three months with Rs. 50 crore. He also praised Peravali village's national recognition in the Governance Awards. Three mandals—Maddikera, Holagunda, and Chippagiri—were included in the Aspirational Blocks Programme, with Chippagiri ranking sixth regionally. Officials were urged to raise awareness about government schemes. Panchayati Raj SE Ramachandra Reddy, MPDO Gudur Sisu Nag Prasad, and other staff were felicitated for their contributions.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Opinion What the Panchayat Devolution Index reveals about strengthening local governance
My visit to a remote tribal village during a visioning exercise with community institutions changed my perspectives on Panchayat administration. The leaders of village SHGs (self-help groups) engaged in discussions to improve basic facilities – something often taken for granted in urban areas – made me think differently. Each of India's six lakh villages is unique, shaped by geography, people, and history. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment of 1992 acknowledged this diversity, creating a new governance structure with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), empowering communities to plan, decide, and act. The Panchayat Devolution Report 2024 The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's 2024 report on 'Devolution to Panchayats in States: An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking' offers a rare, honest lens into the state of decentralisation across India. Beyond the numbers, the report evaluates the autonomy and empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by assessing the devolution of powers, resources, and decision-making autonomy. The core idea of the report is that for Panchayats to govern effectively, they need three key pillars: Functions, funds, and functionaries. The index evaluates states across six dimensions: Framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building, and accountability. While the report shows devolution to rural local bodies increased from 39.9 per cent (2013–14) to 43.9 per cent (2021–22), the variation across dimensions is striking. The 'Functionaries Index' rose from 39.6 per cent to 50.9 per cent, with improvements in infrastructure, staffing, and digitalisation. Capacity building rose from 44 per cent to 54.6 per cent, aided by programmes like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). However, functional devolution dropped from 35.34 per cent to 29.18 per cent, showing that many Panchayats still lack control over core services. • The top five States in the overall rankings are Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh • Kerala performed better in the 'Framework' dimension, while Karnataka scored highest in 'Financial' devolution and 'Accountability'. • Tamil Nadu tops in Functions while Gujarat leads in Functionary capacity • Surprisingly, Puducherry, a UT, has not held Panchayat elections since 2006—an alarming breach of constitutional obligations. A striking finding is that though Panchayats are expected to play crucial roles in 28 major schemes, financial allocations are minimal or unclear. The report highlights the rise of 13 parallel bodies bypassing Panchayats, diluting their constitutional role. Basic functions like birth registration, waste management, and sanitation are often excluded from Panchayat responsibilities in many state-level Acts, raising concerns about the integrity of self-governance. Status of PRI finances The financial picture is mixed. Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu lead with regular SFC-based transfers, while Assam, Goa, and Jharkhand fall below the national average. Most Panchayats rely on grants, with over 95 per cent of funds coming from the Union and state governments, according to the RBI report. Local tax generation remains negligible (1 per cent or less), limiting PRIs' fiscal autonomy. There is also insufficient provision for operation and maintenance costs or funds to maintain assets under schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission or the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Ground-level insights Being a development design organisation working to transform India's bottom 100,000 villages into flourishing communities, Transform Rural India's (TRI) experience shows that Panchayats can become powerful platforms for community-led governance if meaningfully enabled. These institutions offer citizens space to deliberate on everyday issues. In many villages, despite incomplete devolution, we've seen transformational shifts when community-based organisations (CBOs) complement Panchayats, supporting and holding them accountable. This synergy has created productive space for frontline workers and service providers, especially in health, nutrition, education, and markets. However, such actions require Panchayats to be functional, resourceful, and autonomous. Sadly, inadequate delegation, symbolic authority, and excessive state control through procedural bottlenecks still limit their potential. Proxy leadership and limited space for elected SC/ST and women representatives must be addressed. Despite constitutional guarantees, many elected women representatives (EWRs) lack the agency, authority, and support to lead effectively. In our state consultations, the need to modernise outdated laws on own-source revenue repeatedly came up. Also, many states still follow old tax rules. From representation to real power Weak devolution hampers progress in health, nutrition, sanitation, and education, where local knowledge and quick decisions are essential. Without clear roles, accountability, trained staff, or financial control, Panchayats often remain symbolic despite having physical infrastructure. They are meant to foster democratic engagement, but without functions, funds, and functionaries, they cannot fulfil this role effectively. The 2024 Devolution Report calls for urgent action to give Panchayats real authority over basic services, planning, and implementation. Empowerment must go beyond representation. Programs like Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan, a nationwide effort to train 1.4 million EWRs, are a step forward. Developed with TRI's support, it uses simulations, case studies, and leadership training to strengthen grassroots governance.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How empowered village mukhiyas can lead India to development by 2047
India has over 250,000 panchayats, each led by a democratically elected Sarpanch or Village Mukhiya. This structure represents a vibrant grassroots democracy. As we look ahead to 2047—the centenary of independence—empowering Village Mukhiyas with greater agency will be essential to realizing the vision of a developed India. India has bestowed power with the PM (Prime Minister), the CM (Chief Minister), and ultimately reaches DM (District Magistrates). To achieve the status of a developed nation by 2047, it is equally important to empower VM or Village Mukhiyas as an authority to foster a citizen-centric approach to local governance. AI image created using Lexica The 73rd Constitutional Amendment recognized panchayats as a key institution of local governance in 1992. Village Mukhiyas play a leading role in developing annual development plans with input from citizen representatives. For effective local sustainable development, it is crucial for the Central and State Governments, along with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, to empower Village Mukhiyas by devolving functions, providing financial resources, and ensuring interdepartmental coordination at the panchayat level. Village Mukhiyas and SDG Goals India is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and localizing these goals at the panchayat level is essential for success. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has categorized 17 SDGs into nine thematic areas, enabling panchayats to align their development plans. As heads of local governments, Village Mukhiyas play a crucial role in promoting Localised SDGs (LSDGs) through annual development plans. Until 2022, the focus of these efforts was primarily on infrastructure and water projects. However, with the introduction of LSDG themes, planning has become more focused. A survey of 800 panchayats showed that while many themes are still chosen by Block officials or state guidelines, a growing number of Village Mukhiyas are actively participating in theme selection. AI image created using Lexica Some themes have naturally drawn more attention. For example, 38% of panchayats prioritized Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihoods. At the same time, there is increasing recognition of the need to strengthen the focus on areas such as Health (4%) and Education (3%). With continued support and capacity building, Village Mukhiyas are well-placed to balance these priorities and lead holistic development in their villages. Village Mukhiya as a Pillar of Convergence All challenges at the village level are interconnected. For example, when a 13-year-old girl drops out of school, her story is rarely about a single issue. The reasons may range from menstruation, poverty, migration, early marriage, or just the absence of a toilet. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated approach. If financial hardship is a factor, the department of Social Justice and other departments has schemes to provide scholarships. If health is a concern, the department of Health can take lead. For families affected by migration, programs like NREGA from the department of Rural Development can offer support. Village Mukhiyas, as central coordinating bodies at the village level can act as a bridge between citizens and government programs. When ministries collaborate under the leadership of the Mukhiya, the panchayat transforms from a local body into a local solution provider. This convergence can vitalise India's decentralised democracy. Building Leadership for the Future There is immense potential for building the capacity of Mukhiyas. India invests in leadership at every level, from corporate to community. Thus, it is equally important to build institutions for Village Mukhiyas. While India has world-class institutions like IITs and IIMs for engineers and managers, we now need a Centre for Decentralized Democracy that would be dedicated to empowering local governance not just in India but across the developing world. This way, India will take Gandhi's idea of Gram Swaraj to the world. Systematic capacity building programs for Mukhiyas have started showing positive results. For instance, Village Mukhiya Jyoti Devi, developed a tailored development plan and launched a campaign that significantly increased school attendance. She also launched an Aadhaar enrolment drive, helping many citizens in the village access essential government services. Her success was not by chance–it was enabled through a structured capacity building and her own dedication to serve the citizen. The Road to 2047 Imagine the scale of transformation if every Village Mukhiya was similarly equipped—not just with authority, but with capability. Building the agency of Village Mukhiyas is therefore critical. These examples illustrate the profound impact of leadership training on local governance and the potential for institutional support for Village Mukhiyas across India. Jyoti Devi's success story is just one of many, with countless more waiting to happen. And when 250,000 Village Mukhiyas move forward, India will leapfrog toward its goal to become a developed nation by 2047. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
