Local Self-Government

Overview

Local Self-Government refers to the administration of local affairs by elected bodies at the village, block, district, and urban levels. This topic is essential for UTET Paper II Social Studies because it connects constitutional provisions with ground-level governance that students in Classes VI-VIII must understand. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), making India one of the largest experiments in grassroots democracy.

For Uttarakhand specifically, the state adopted its own Panchayati Raj Act after formation in 2000, with modifications suited to its hilly terrain and scattered population. Questions often test the three-tier structure, reservation provisions, functions of local bodies, and Uttarakhand-specific features like Gram Sabhas and Nagar Panchayats. Understanding this topic also helps in teaching civics through local examples that students can relate to directly.

Key Concepts

• **Decentralisation**: Transfer of power from central/state government to local elected bodies, ensuring people's participation in governance at the grassroots level.

• **73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992)**: Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj; added Part IX and Schedule 11 (29 subjects) to the Constitution; made Gram Sabha mandatory.

• **74th Constitutional Amendment (1992)**: Gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies; added Part IX-A and Schedule 12 (18 subjects) to the Constitution.

• **Three-Tier Panchayati Raj System**: Gram Panchayat (village level) → Kshetra Panchayat / Block Panchayat (intermediate level) → Zila Panchayat (district level).

• **Gram Sabha**: Assembly of all adult voters of a village; the foundation of Panchayati Raj; approves plans, budgets, and beneficiary selection.

• **Reservation in PRIs**: One-third seats reserved for women (now 50% in many states including Uttarakhand); reservation for SC/ST in proportion to population.

• **Urban Local Bodies**: Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation) for large cities, Nagar Palika Parishad (Municipality) for medium towns, Nagar Panchayat for transitional areas.

• **State Election Commission**: Conducts elections to PRIs and ULBs; independent body established under Article 243K.

Formulas / Key Facts

| Fact | Detail | |------|--------| | 73rd Amendment year | 1992 (came into force 24 April 1993) | | 74th Amendment year | 1992 (came into force 1 June 1993) | | Part of Constitution for PRIs | Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) | | Part of Constitution for ULBs | Part IX-A (Articles 243-P to 243-ZG) | | Schedule 11 subjects | 29 subjects for Panchayats (agriculture, education, health, etc.) | | Schedule 12 subjects | 18 subjects for Municipalities (urban planning, roads, water supply, etc.) | | Term of local bodies | 5 years; fresh elections within 6 months if dissolved | | Women's reservation in Uttarakhand PRIs | 50% of total seats | | Minimum age to contest | 21 years | | Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act | 2016 (replaced earlier 2002 Act) | | Number of Zila Panchayats in Uttarakhand | 13 (one per district) | | Major Municipal Corporations | Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani, Kashipur, Roorkee, Rudrapur |