Part IX: The Panchayats

Article 243C: Composition of Panchayats

Original Article:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats:

Provided that the ratio between the population of the territorial area of a Panchayat at any level and the number of seats in such Panchayat to be filled by election shall, so far as practicable, be the same throughout the State.

(2) All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by persons chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area...

Amendments:

• Introduced through the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992, effective from 24th April 1993.

Amendment Explanation:

The amendment institutionalized local governance, providing specific details about the structure and electoral process of Panchayats, ensuring proportional representation.

Explanations:

Article 243C empowers State Legislatures to define the structure of Panchayats while maintaining proportional representation and democratic principles at various levels.

Historical Significance:

This article reflects India's commitment to decentralized governance, emphasizing proportional representation and direct elections for democratic local governance.

Debates and Deliberations:

• Shri Balwantrai Mehta: Supported proportional representation for fair governance at all Panchayat levels.
• Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar: Emphasized the need for uniform representation across states.

Real-Life Examples:

• Karnataka: State law aligns with population-to-seat ratio guidelines to ensure fair representation across rural areas.
• Kerala: Effective implementation of proportional representation in Panchayat elections has improved governance.

References:

• The Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992.
• State Panchayati Raj Acts.