Explain any five steps taken towards …

When power is taken away from the Central and State Governments and given to local government, it is called decentralisation. The need for decentralisation was recognised in our Constitution. Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas were set up in all the states. But these were directly under the control of the state government. Elections to these local governments were not held regularly. Local governments did not have the power or resources of their own. The Constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective. Given below are some of the provision which was attempted towards this:

1. Now it is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
2. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for SC, ST and OBC's.
3. At least 1/3rd of all positions and seats are reserved for women.
4. An independent institution called State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
5. The State Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.