Previous Year Question
When were the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts passed by the Parliament of India for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions?
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, 1992 are two major constitutional amendments that provided a constitutional framework for rural and urban local self government in India. Among the given options, the correct period of their passage by Parliament is December 1992. An official record of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs also states that the 74th Constitutional Amendment was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session of 1992.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment dealt with Panchayats and inserted Part IX — The Panchayats into the Constitution. It provided a constitutional framework concerning Gram Sabhas, composition of Panchayats, reservation, five-year tenure, elections, powers and finances. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj officially records it as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
The 74th Constitutional Amendment dealt with Municipalities and urban local bodies and inserted Part IX-A — The Municipalities into the Constitution.
Important fact: The dates of passage and commencement should not be confused. Although both amendments belong to 1992, the 73rd Amendment came into force on 24 April 1993, while the 74th Amendment came into force on 1 June 1993. The official text of the Constitution confirms these dates.