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The 73rd Amendment mandates States to devolve powers, authority, and responsibilities to Panchayats for preparing plans and implementing schemes for economic development and social justice, but actual devolution varies across States based on political will and State legislation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Devolution to Panchayats: (a) Constitutional mandate: Article 243G empowers State Legislatures to endow Panchayats with powers/authority to function as institutions of self-government for economic development, social justice, (b) 11th Schedule: Lists 29 functional items (agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health, women/child development, social welfare, etc.) that may be devolved to Panchayats, (c) Variation across States: (i) Progressive States: Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra have substantially devolved functions, funds, functionaries to Panchayats, (ii) Lagging States: Many States have not fully devolved powers; Panchayats remain dependent on State departments for implementation, (iii) Political will: Devolution depends on State government commitment to local self-governance, not just constitutional mandate, (d) Applications: (i) MGNREGA: Panchayats in some States play key role in planning, implementation, social audit; in others, role limited to rubber-stamping, (ii) Local planning: Panchayats in progressive States prepare village plans, prioritize infrastructure; in others, plans prepared by State departments, (e) Challenges: (i) Incomplete devolution: Panchayats lack functions, funds, functionaries for effective self-governance, (ii) Capacity gaps: Panchayat members, staff need training on planning, financial management, governance, (iii) Political interference: State governments may undermine Panchayat autonomy through administrative control, (f) Illustrates cooperative federalism: Constitutional framework enables local self-governance; actual devolution requires political will, capacity building, financial resources at State level.