In the new Panchayati Raj Bill enacted in 1993, there are several fresh provisions deviating from the past. Which one of the following is not one such provision?
A
A number of added responsibilities in the area of agriculture, rural development, primary education and social forestry among others.
B
Elections being made mandatory for all posts at the time they are due.
C
A statutory representation for women in the panchayats, up to a third of the strength.
D
Regular remuneration to the panchayat members, so as to ensure their punctuality and accountability.
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
1. The question asks which provision is NOT part of the new Panchayati Raj Bill enacted in 1993 (referring to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into force in 1993).
2. The 73rd Amendment aimed to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and grant them constitutional status.
3. Option (A): The Act added the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, listing 29 subjects (including agriculture, rural development, primary education, social forestry) that could be devolved to panchayats, giving them added responsibilities. This was a key provision.
4. Option (B): The Act made elections to all three tiers of panchayats regular (every five years) and mandatory, to be conducted by State Election Commissions. This was a major departure from the past where elections were often irregular or postponed. This was a key provision.
5. Option (C): The Act mandated reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women (including the number of seats reserved for SC/ST women) in every panchayat. It also reserved one-third of the offices of chairpersons for women. This provided statutory representation for women. This was a key provision.
6. Option (D): The Act allowed State Legislatures to make provisions for the payment of allowances to chairpersons and members of panchayats. However, it did not mandate regular remuneration for all panchayat members comparable to salaries, nor was the primary stated purpose to ensure punctuality and accountability (though financial support could help). The provision for remuneration/allowances was left to the discretion of the states and varied widely. This was NOT a mandatory central feature aimed universally at ensuring punctuality through regular salaries for all members.
7. Therefore, regular remuneration to ensure punctuality/accountability was not a defining mandatory provision of the 1993 Act in the way the other options were.