73rd Amendment Constitution of India to help in decentralization of political power at the grassroots level : Vijay Gupta
Ferozepur, April 23, 2017: With the 73rd Amendment in Constitution of India, the states sjall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.
Vijay Gupta, State Awardee, National Winner of ITLA and Global Winner from Fazilka said, Every year April 24 is being observed as National Panchayati Raj (PR) Diwas across India. This day marks the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993. This amendment had led a defining moment in the history of India which helped in decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. In turn it had lead to institutionalization of Panchayati Raj (PR) through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats. On this day Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj organises National Conference every year to commemorate the National Panchayati Raj Diwas. Best performing Gram Panchayats are conferred with Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Purskar by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj on this day.
Then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh inaugurated first National Panchayati Raj Day in 2010. He mentioned that that if Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) functioned properly and locals participated in the development process, the Maoist threat could be countered.
The programme of Hon’ble Prime Minister will be held at Lucknow on National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, 2017 to give the award 'The Panchayat Shashakatikaran Puraskar/Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar' to the shortlisted panchayat across the country. Nine Panchayats have been selected for 'The Panchayat Shashakatikaran Puraskar and one for Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar from Punjab.