73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts APPSC Group 2 Mains success

73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts APPSC Group 2 : The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments , which were enacted in 1992, represent important turning points in the democratic evolution of India. By establishing local governance in both urban and rural areas, they enabled citizens to actively engage in decision-making processes. By strengthening local self-government, these reforms laid the foundation for inclusive growth and participatory democracy.

For APPSC Group 2 Mains applicants, the changes are crucial, especially in view of the Indian Constitution and its governing ideals. This essay will go over the features, uses, and applicability of these changes as well as their effects on Andhra Pradesh and the challenges it confronts.

73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts Details:

1. Understanding Decentralization in India

In decentralization, higher-level decision-making authority is transferred to local governments. Historical structures like the Panchayati Raj provide as proof that this concept is deeply embedded in Indian history. Local governments, however, lacked both financial independence and constitutional legitimacy, and post-independence governance was highly centralized.

In order to address these gaps, the 73rd and 74th Amendments established Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through constitutional provisions, respectively.

2. 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act: Key Provisions

The 73rd Amendment Act added Part IX to the Constitution and introduced the Eleventh Schedule, which lists 29 subjects to be handled by PRIs. It provided a framework for rural governance, ensuring people’s participation in decision-making at the grassroots level.

Key Features

1. Three-Tier System
   • Village Level: Gram Panchayat
   • Intermediate Level: Panchayat Samiti (for blocks)
   • District Level: Zila Parishad
   This structure enables decentralized governance from villages to districts.
2. Gram Sabha
   • Acts as a village assembly where citizens directly participate in decision-making.
   • Empowers people to voice their concerns and monitor local governance.
3. Reserved Representation
   • Mandatory reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women (not less than 33%).
   • Promotes inclusivity in governance.
4. State Election Commission (SEC)
   • Established to conduct free and fair elections for PRIs.
5. State Finance Commission (SFC)
   • Constituted every five years to recommend financial devolution to PRIs.
6. Eleventh Schedule
   • Lists 29 subjects such as agriculture, rural development, education, and health, under the jurisdiction of PRIs.

Important Articles Introduced

Article	Provision
Article 243A	Establishes Gram Sabha for participatory democracy
Article 243B	Mandates the three-tier Panchayati Raj system
Article 243D	Provides for reservation for SCs, STs, and women
Article 243H	Empowers PRIs to levy and collect taxes
Article 243I	Establishes the State Finance Commission

3. 74th Constitutional Amendment Act: Key Provisions

The 74th Amendment Act added Part IX-A to the Constitution and introduced the Twelfth Schedule, which lists 18 subjects under ULBs. It provides a framework for urban governance, focusing on efficient delivery of services and planned urban development.

Key Features

1. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
   • Nagar Panchayat: For areas in transition from rural to urban.
   • Municipal Council: For smaller urban areas.
   • Municipal Corporation: For larger cities.
2. Ward Committees
   • Mandatory for urban areas with a population of 3 lakh or more.
   • Ensures representation at the grassroots within cities.
3. Planning Committees
   • District Planning Committee (DPC): Integrates rural and urban development plans.
   • Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC): Focuses on metropolitan areas.
4. Twelfth Schedule
   • Lists 18 subjects, including urban planning, slum improvement, and water supply, under ULB jurisdiction.

Important Articles Introduced

Article	Provision
Article 243P	Defines terms like Municipality and Urban Area.
Article 243Q	Mandates the creation of ULBs.
Article 243S	Establishes Ward Committees for better representation.
Article 243T	Provides for reservation in ULBs for SCs, STs, and women.
Article 243Y	Establishes State Finance Commission for urban bodies.

Read this also : APPSC Group 2 Mains Exam: Success Study Plan for Indian Constitution

4. Andhra Pradesh: Implementation and Impact

Andhra Pradesh has been at the forefront of implementing these amendments. The state has effectively institutionalized both Panchayati Raj and urban governance systems.

Rural Governance

• Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh manage programs like MGNREGA and rural sanitation.
• Digital initiatives have enhanced transparency in fund utilization.

Urban Governance

• Cities like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada are implementing smart city projects.
• Municipalities focus on waste management, urban mobility, and housing schemes for the poor.

Success Stories

• Amaravati Planning Initiative: A robust model of integrating rural and urban planning.
• Gram Darsini Program: Promotes citizen participation in rural governance.

5. Comparative Analysis of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts

While both amendments aim to empower local self-governments, their focus areas and structures differ significantly.

Aspect	73rd Amendment	74th Amendment
Scope	Rural governance	Urban governance
Constitutional Part	Part IX	Part IX-A
Schedule Added	Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects)	Twelfth Schedule (18 subjects)
Key Institutions	Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)	Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
Examples in AP	Gram Panchayats in Guntur	Municipal Corporation of Visakhapatnam

6. Challenges in Implementation

Despite the progress, several challenges hinder the full realization of these amendments:

1. State Interference
   • Local bodies often lack autonomy due to excessive control by state governments.
2. Financial Constraints
   • Inadequate funds limit the ability of PRIs and ULBs to perform their functions effectively.
3. Capacity Building
   • Elected representatives often lack training and awareness about their roles.
4. Urban-Rural Divide
   • Urban areas receive more attention and resources, leaving rural areas underfunded.

7. 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts for APPSC Group 2 Importance

The 73rd and 74th Amendments are integral to the Indian Constitution syllabus for APPSC Group 2 Mains. Aspirants should focus on:

• Articles and Provisions: Memorize key articles like 243A to 243O (for PRIs) and 243P to 243ZG (for ULBs).
• Andhra Pradesh Examples: Use case studies to illustrate points in answers.
• Critical Analysis: Highlight both achievements and challenges for a balanced perspective.

One important step toward achieving Gandhiji’s goal of decentralized administration is the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. They have enabled millions to actively engage in decision-making processes by instituting local self-governments. States like Andhra Pradesh show how these reforms have the power to revolutionize governance, despite ongoing difficulties.

For APPSC Group 2 candidates,73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts APPSC Group 2 is comprehending these reforms is more important than merely earning points; it’s about realizing how important local government is to the development of the country.

73వ మరియు 74వ రాజ్యాంగ సవరణ చట్టాలైన ఈ ఆర్టికల్‌పై మేము ముఖ్యమైన బిట్‌లను అందించాము. బిట్స్ ఫైల్‌ను డౌన్‌లోడ్ చేయడానికి దిగువ బటన్‌పై క్లిక్ చేయండి. మేము appsc group 2 మెయిన్స్ పరీక్ష కోసం ముఖ్యమైన అంశాలపై రోజువారీ బిట్‌లను అందిస్తాము. దయచేసి మా బ్లాగును సబ్‌స్క్రైబ్ చేయండి

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