Importance of 74th Constitution Amendment Act, 1992

 






The Indian Constitution was significantly amended by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. It mostly concerns local self-government in municipalities. The following are some crucial ideas about the 74th Amendment:

Aim: the improvement of local service delivery and the participation of citizens in decision-making processes.

Objective : The amendment's goal is to provide local governments with more authority and encourage decentralization of power in urban areas.
Municipalities: It calls for the creation of urban local authorities, also referred to as municipalities or Nagar Palikas, in every urban area.
Three-Tier System: The amendment establishes a three-tier local government structure in urban areas, with Nagar Panchayats for small towns, Municipal Corporations for large cities, and Municipal Councils for smaller cities.
Reservation of Seats: It requires that seats be reserved in local government bodies for women, members of Scheduled Castes (SCs), and members of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Functions and Powers: The amendment specifies the roles, authorities, and obligations of urban local authorities, including the delivery of essential services, public infrastructure, and economic growth.
Finance Commission: It establishes a Finance Commission at the state level to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the state government and local bodies.

State Election Commission: The amendment also provides for the establishment of a State Election Commission to conduct elections to the local government bodies.

Here are some key reasons why the amendment is significant [relevance]:

Decentralization of Power: In urban areas, the 74th amendment established a three-tier structure of local government, giving municipalities, municipal councils, and Nagar panchayats more power. It transferred authority from the state government to local bodies, empowering them to decide on policies and efficiently run their own regions.

Empowerment of Urban Local Bodies: The amendment aimed to empower urban local bodies by granting them specific functions, powers, and responsibilities. It enabled them to take charge of essential services like water supply, sanitation, urban planning, infrastructure development, and economic activities within their jurisdictions.

Participation of the People: The amendment placed a major focus on how residents can get involved in local government. It required that seats be set aside for underrepresented groups, including women, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes, to ensure their representation and involvement in local decision-making.

Urban Planning and Development: The significance of planned urban development was recognized by the 74th Amendment. To provide an organized approach to urban planning, it required the preparation of development plans and town planning schemes to direct the growth and development of urban areas.

Financial Empowerment: The amendment established State Finance Commissions to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the state government and local bodies. This provision aimed to enhance the financial capabilities of urban local bodies, enabling them to carry out their assigned functions effectively.

Accountability and Transparency: The amendment placed a major focus on the requirement to promote transparency and accountability in local governance. For the purpose of conducting fair and democratic local government elections, it was necessary to create state election commissions.

Overall, the 74th constitutional amendment is aimed at promoting decentralization, citizen participation, and effective urban governance. It empowers urban local bodies, involves citizens in decision-making processes, and seeks to enhance the quality of life in urban areas through planned development and improved service delivery.


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