From News Dispaches NEW DELHI: The Constitution (64th Amendment) Bill, to be introduced in the Lok Sabha aims at establishing a three tier system of panchayats, (local self-Governments) periodical elections under Election Commission supervision and 30 percent reservation of seats for women but drops the controversial provision for dissolution of the local bodies by Governors as provided in the draft measure, The Bill, to be introduced by the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the last day of the extended Budget session provides for the constitution of finance commission in the States every five years to review the financial position of panchayats and ensure their sound finance through designated taxes, duties and fees.
The measure follows a yearlong exercise by the Prime Minister through interaction with the district level machinery of various States climaxed by the All India Congress Committee (I) conference which adopted the proposal with the slogan “Power to the people.”
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill says that a review of the working of the panchayat ruled institutions has shown that in many States they have become weak and ineffective owing to a variety of reasons, including the failure to hold regular and periodical elections, prolonged supersessions, inadequate representation to the weaker sections like the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women, lack of financial resources and inadequate devotion of powers and responsibilities on them.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 26, 1989
