POC11 — Local Self-Government

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) added the 11th Schedule with 29 subjects that could be devolved to Panchayats (agriculture, health, education, roads, etc.). The 74th Amendment added the 12th Schedule (18 subjects for urban local bodies). The 9th Schedule was added by the 1st Amendment; the 10th Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) was added by the 52nd Amendment 1985.

Gram Sabha (Art. 243A) is the body of all persons registered as voters in the electoral rolls of a village within a Panchayat area. It is the foundation of democratic decentralisation — all adults in a village are members. The Gram Panchayat is the elected body from among Gram Sabha members. The Gram Sabha exercises powers and functions as the state legislature may provide — it is a constitutional body by the 73rd Amendment.

The 73rd and 74th Amendments mandate not less than 1/3rd (33%) of seats to be reserved for women in all Panchayats and ULBs — including in presiding officers' positions. This reservation applies to both direct election seats and seats reserved for SC/ST. Several states (Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc.) have voluntarily increased this to 50%, but the constitutional minimum is 1/3rd.

Article 243S of the Constitution mandates the formation of Ward Committees in every municipality having a population of 3 lakh or more. Ward Committees consist of one or more wards within a municipality and are designed to bring governance closer to citizens at the ward level. Their composition, powers, and functions are determined by state legislatures.

The 12th Schedule was added by the 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992) and contains 18 subjects that can be devolved to Urban Local Bodies — including urban planning, regulation of land use, public health, sanitation, slum improvement, urban poverty alleviation, provision of urban amenities, etc. The 11th Schedule (29 subjects for Panchayats) was added by the 73rd Amendment.

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) first recommended the establishment of a democratic decentralisation through a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure (village, block/taluka, district). This led to the first Panchayati Raj experiment in India — launched by Jawaharlal Nehru on 2 October 1959 in Nagaur, Rajasthan. Ashok Mehta (1977) recommended two-tier; L.M. Singhvi (1986) and P.K. Thungon (1989) recommended constitutional status.

The 11th Schedule contains 29 subjects that can be devolved to Panchayats — added by the 73rd Amendment. These include agriculture, land improvement, watershed development, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, small-scale industries, khadi and village industries, rural housing, drinking water, roads, culverts, rural electrification, education, public distribution system, and poverty alleviation programmes. The 12th Schedule (18 subjects for ULBs) was added by the 74th Amendment.

The State Election Commissioner (who heads the State Election Commission) is appointed by the Governor of the state. The SEC is responsible for superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Panchayats and ULBs. The SEC is independent — the State Election Commissioner can only be removed by the same process as a High Court judge (by President's order on Parliament's address). Not the same as the Election Commission of India (CEC appointed by President).