Panchayat Raj System - Articles and Committees 2

Articles of Panchayat Raj institutions

Article 243D (Reservations)

Group	Reservation Details
SCs/STs	Reservations are provided based on their population proportion.
BCs	The percentage of reservation is determined by the respective State Legislature.
Women	At least 1/3rd (one-third) of the total seats in Panchayat Raj institutions, and 1/3rd of the total seats in the reservations (in the reserved categroies too), must be reserved for women.

Article 243E (Duration of Panchayats)

Term: Five years from the date of the first meeting.

By-elections: If a vacancy arises, a by-election must be held within six months.

Exception: If the remaining term of the institution is less than six months, no by-election is necessary.

Tenure of by-election winner: The person elected in a by-election serves only for the remainder of the original term, not a full five years.

Article 243F (Disqualifications for Membership)

Qualification	Disqualification
Must be an Indian citizen.	Should not hold any office of profit under the Central or State Governments.
Should have completed the age of 21.	Should not have more than two children after 1995.
Should be registered as a voter in the local body's electoral roll.	Should not have any arrears to the Panchayat Raj institutions.
	Must meet any other qualifications prescribed by the State Legislature.

Article 243G (Powers, Authority and Responsibilities of Panchayats)

Panchayat Raj institutions have authority over 29 subjects (listed in the 11th Schedule).

Article 243H (Powers to Impose Taxes by, and Funds of, the Panchayats)

Panchayat Raj institutions derive their financial resources from the following:

• Funds from the Central Government
• Funds from the State Government
• Own taxes (e.g., house tax, water tax)
• Rents
• Donations
• Sale of any properties/lands