Explain any four provisions that have been in made towards decentralisation in India after the constitutional amendment in l992.

(a) The condition of local government in India before 1992 was as given below:
(l) There were panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas but these were directly under the control of the state governments.
(ii) Elections to local bodies were not held regularly.
(iii) These bodies did not have financial resources. They were dependent on state or Central Government which used to grant them financial aids.
Thus, in practice, these bodies were controlled by the central or state Governments and did not enjoy independent status. There was thus little decentralisation.
(b) To make third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective, the government made following major changes through 73rd and 74th Amendments:
(l) it is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. If the State Government dissolves the Panchayat before the end of its five year term, fresh elections must be held within six months of such dissolution.
(ii) seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
(iii) One-third of all positions are reserved for women.
(iv) An independent state Election commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
(v) The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state. Thus, the government has tried to strengthen local governments and to ensure an element of uniformity in their structure and functioning across the country.