Read the provisions of the 73rd Amendment. Which of the following concerns does this amendment address?

1) Fear of replacement makes representatives accountable to the people.

2) The dominant castes and feudal landlords dominate the local bodies.

3) Rural illiteracy is very high. Illiterate people cannot take decisions about the development of the village.

4) To be effective, the Village Panchayats need resources and powers to make plans for the village development.

1) After the 73rd Amendment Act, 1993 it is mandatory to hold election after every five years. If the State government dissolves the Panchayats before the end of its five years term, fresh elections must be held within six months. It makes representatives accountable.

2) After the 73rd Amendment Act, 1993, reservations for women, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes made necessary. The women have been given 1/3 reservation in local bodies (Villages Panchayat etc.) at all levels and the seats have been reserved in, favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion of their population. As the Indian population has 16.2 percent Scheduled Castes and 8.2 percent Scheduled Tribes, about 6.6 lakh elected members in local bodies are from these social groups. This has significantly altered the social profile of the local bodies. The dominant castes and feudal landlords, who controlled the villages earlier do not wish to give up their power. Due to this there is some tension and conflicts in the society.

3) The subjects included in the jurisdiction of Panchayati Raj institutions are listed in Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. 29 subjects were inserted in this Schedule, which was inserted in 1992 by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. Education including primary and secondary education is one of these subjects. It is the responsibility of State governments to implement these provisions.

4) The Panchayats have been given powers to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and fees as in accordance with the provisions made by the State governments. The provisions have also been made for the establishment of a State Finance Commission after every five years to review the finances of Panchayats and to make recommendations as to what amount of grants to be given to the Panchayats by the State Governments.