View Article - Institute of Development Studies

12uniform three-tier structure was not debated when the house adopted the amendment. Duringinterviews with senior bureaucrats who participated in the framing of the amendment itwas learned that the focus was on getting the amendment through even if it meant nothaving an ideal legislation. One result of this was that issues on which a consensus provedelusive were left to the discretion of the states.The principal features of the amendment, now part of the Constitution, are brieflysummarized below:• uniform three-tier system except for states with a population of less than 20 lakhs• direct election of members at all level• Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes in proportion to theirpopulation and 33% for women both for election as members and to posts ofchairpersons except that in the latter case rotation of constituencies is mandatory.• Five year term for all Panchayats• Minimum age for membership reduced to 21• A state finance commission to be appointed every quinquennium.The Constitution also has certain enabling provisions. These are in respect of:• direct elections to the post of chairperson of the village panchayat• representation for members of Parliament and state legislatures in panchayats atthe intermediate and district levels• reservation in favour of backward classes in elections of members as alsochairpersons.• representation of chairpersons of one level at the next higher levelSubject to the mandatory articles of the Constitution “ the legislature of the statemay, by law, endow panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary toenable them to function as institutions of self-government and such law may containprovisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon panchayats at theappropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, with respect to:a) the preparation of plans for economic development and social justiceb) the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice asmay be entrusted to them including those listed in the Eleventh Schedule” (Article243 G).