How has the third tier of government in our country is more powerful and effective?
Answers
(i) Decentralization: When power is taken from central and state governments and is given to local government, it is called decentralization. The constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective. (ii) Provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 are: (a) Now it is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. (b) Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for SCs, STs and OBCs. (c) At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. (d) An independent institution called State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. (e) The state governments are required to share some flowers and revenue with local government bodies.
There are the measures which made the third tier of government more effective and powerful.
A major constitutional amendment was done on the year 1992. It is constitutionally mandatory for the state government to hold regular elections at the local levels. Seats are reversed for the sc's and Sts at the local government. 1/3rd of the seats are reversed for the women . There is separate election commission for the state which conducts election at the local levels. Now, the state government should share some responsibilities , powers and revenues with the local government.