Read the following conversation. Write in two hundred words your opinion about the issues raised in this conversation.

Alok: Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share in power.

Neha: But it is not enough that women should be in position of power. It is necessary that the budget of local bodies should have separate provision for women.

Jayesh: I don't like this reservation business. A local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women and their interests.

This conversation is given on the issue of equal power of women. Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. According to Article 15 the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. According to Article 39 (1), the State shall secure right to an adequate livelihood to all citizens and according to Article 39 (d) calls for equal pay for equal work for both men and women. But in practice, we find a discrimination between men and women in our society.

In Alok’s opinion, our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share of power. But Neha wants that the budget of the local bodies should have separate provision for women and only then the womens condition will improve. But in the opinion of Jayesh, a local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women. But here one thing is important that if we find the equal opportunity for men and women, it is not necessary that the women may get the success. So it is necessary to give them some reservations in all fields. As we know the women have been backward in our society and the male candidate had not given them opportunity. If a local body must take one of all people in the village that would automatically take care of women and their interest. But it would not be enough to improve the condition of women. Without reservation they would not succeed to get the powers and they would not succeed to make policies for the interests of women.

After a lengthy discussion and consideration, the Parliament passed two Constitutional Amendment Acts (73rd and 74th) in 1993. After passing of these Acts the rural and urban institutions of local self-government have received much needed constitutional recognition like the State, Legislatures and the Union Parliament. In fact, it is a constitutional recognition of grass-root level democratic set up. The provisions of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1993, related to Panchayati Raj bodies in rural areas. It makes provisions for the reservations of seats at all three levels in favour of women, the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes and the other backward classes. The Panchayats have been given the power and responsibility of local planning and mobilisation of their own resources. The provision for reservation for women at the Panchayats has ensured the presence of a significant number of women in local bodies. As this reservation is also applicable for the position of Sarpanch and Adhyaksha, a large number of women elected representatives have come to occupy these positions. There are more than 80,000 women Sarpanchas in Gram Panchayats.

(a) It is said that many villages would be adversely affected by the Steel Plant. The Gram Sabha has passed a resolution against it. It implies that the gram panchayat was not consulted before the steel plant was decided by the State government. This action of the State government will severely weaken the institution of Panchayats. The Gram Sabha of one of the affected villages passed the resolution that village people must be consulted and their grievances must be redressed. It will strengthen the Panchayats as it can now move to courts for a direction against the unilateral move of the state government.

(b) The decision of the State government that 20% of all its expenditure would be done through the Panchayats, will surely help the finances of the Panchayats. If the state government does not interfere in the decisions and the priorities of the Panchayats, this will strengthen the Panchayat. At the same time the financial dependence of the local bodies on the State government will impinge on their capacity to operate effectively. The Panchayats need independent sources of revenue.

(c) The basic idea for the creation of Panchayati Raj institutions is that the people themselves prioritize their development agenda. The turning down of the demand for funds for building a village school by government officials saying that the funds are allotted for certain other schemes, will surely weaken the Panchayats in becoming units of self-government.

(d) There is no mention here, whether the government has divided the village Durgapur into two village on the recommendations of the Panchayat under which it falls. If the government has done this on its own, then surely this action would weaken Panchayati Raj institutions. If it has effected division on the recommendations of the concerned Panchayat. The action would not weaken these institutions.

(e) The mobilisation of village youth to do some voluntary work and revive the old village ponds and wells will make the presence of there instituions felt. The village people will develop increased respect for the gram panchayat. Thus, the Panchayati Raj institutions would be strengthened.

If I am entrusted to evolve a local government plan of a State, the following powers I would endow to the Village Panchayats to function as units of self-government:

1. Civic Amenities: In the interest of better health and life of citizens, Gram Panchayats would have the powers to make provisions for basic civic amenities.

2. Social Welfare Activities: The Gram Panchayat would keep the records of birth and death in the village, family planning and family welfare etc.

3. Agricultural Development: The programmes and policies related to the modern agricultural practices should be supervised by the Panchayats.

4. Development Works: The Gram Panchayats may be responsible for certain development functions at village level, such as construction of roads, tanks, irrigation facilities etc.

5. Educational work: The Gram Panchayats would be made responsible for the primary education. I would give the gram Panchayats powers to open and maintain schools and libraries in the villages.

The main differences between the local governments before 73rd amendment and after that amendment were that earlier local government was a State subject. States were free to make their own kind of laws but now the local governments have received much needed Constitutional recognition like State Legislatures and the Union Parliament.

In fact, it is a constitutional recognition of grass-root level democratic set-up. This amendment (73rd amendment) act of 1993 made it mandatory to hold the elections of Panchayats in due time on a regular basis. It makes provisions for the reservations of seats at all three levels in favour of women, the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

The minimum age required to become a member of these Panchayats has been reduced to 21 years. To ensure timely and free and fair election to these bodies, provisions have been made for the establishment of an independent State Election Commission in every State. The Panchayats have been given powers to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and fees in accordance with the provisions made by the State government. The provisions have also been made for the establishment of a State Finance Commission in each state after every five years to review the finances of Panchayats and to make recommendations as to what amount of grants are to be given to the Panchayats by the State Government. This ensures their financial autonomy and viability.