MCQ
Q.
When did the Panchayati raj system implemented in Rajasthan?
Correct Answer: C
The correct answer is 2nd October 1959.
- The 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India empowered local governments – rural, as constitutional entities, and initiated a new chapter in the process of democratic decentralization in India.
- Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj Act was passed on 23-04-1994 pursuant to the 73rd Amendment Act,1992.
- Panchayati Raj was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 2 October 1959 at Nagaur in Rajasthan.
Key Points
- The first elections under the Rajasthan Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads Act, 1959 were held in September-October 1959, with the already existing Panchayats at the village level under the Rajasthan Panchayat Act, 1953, the three-tier scheme of Panchayati Raj began functioning on 2 October 1959.
- Panchayats or village assemblies existed in ancient India as self-governing institutions that had distinct and well-defined functions.
Additional Information
- British rule introduced a highly decentralized system of administering justice, which changed the situation and the system of village Panchayats suffered a setback.
- During the time of Viceroy Lord Ripon, there was an attempt to establish local bodies.
- In Rajasthan,
- The princely states of Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Sirohi, Udaipur, and Karauli enacted legislation on Panchayats.
- Bikaner state had its own Gram Panchayat Act much earlier in 1928.
- Thus, at the time of independence, Panchayats were functioning in some of the erstwhile princely states, while in other states no such institutions existed.
- The Act incorporated mandatory provisions of the 73rd Amendment, besides a few others such as the procedure of Gram Sabhas and reservation for OBCs in their membership and chairpersonship.
- Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 provides functions and powers of PRIs.
- The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 were framed and made effective from 30 December 1996 for the smooth functioning of PRIs.
- For extending these provisions to scheduled areas, the Rajasthan Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1999 was enacted.
