Local government as a State subject
Topic: Panchayati Raj: Rural Local Government · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 7 "Federalism"; Class 11, Ch 8 "Local Governments"
Meaning
In India, law-making powers are split between the Centre and the states through lists in the Constitution. "Local government" is Entry 5 of the State List, so each state makes its own laws on panchayats and municipalities. Since the 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992), these state laws must follow the basic framework in Part IX (panchayats) and Part IXA (municipalities). This is why panchayats differ from state to state on matters the Constitution leaves open.
Example
Under the 73rd Amendment, Art. 243N gave states one year to bring their old panchayat laws into line with Part IX, and every state passed a conforming law. Some choices are still left to each state, such as OBC reservation or how the sarpanch is elected.
Don't confuse with
- 73rd Amendment: it did not make local government a Union subject. It only set compulsory rules that state laws must follow. The power to make the laws stays with the states.