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4. That the objects and reasons of the 73rd and 74th amend- ment of the constitution indicate that; Though the Panchayat Raj Institu- tions have been in existence for a long time, it has been observed that these institutions have not been able to acquire the status and dignity of viable and responsive peoples' bodies due to a number of reasons in- cluding absence of regular elections, prolonged super-sessions, insuffi- cient representation of weaker sections like Scheduled Castes, Sched- uled Tribes and women, inadequate devolution of powers and lack of fin- ancial resources.

6. That in many States local bodies have become weak and inef- fective on account of a variety of reasons including the failure to hold regular elections, prolonged super-sessions and inadequate devolution of powers and functions. As a result, Urban Local Bodies are not able to perform effectively as vibrant democratic units of self-government.

Having regard to these inadequacies, it is considered neces- sary that provisions relating to Urban Local Bodies are in- corporated in the Constitution particularly for

28. Clause 2 of Article 243 C specifies that all seats in a Panchay- at shall be filled by persons chosen by direct elections from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area and for that purpose, each Pan- chayat area shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such man- ner that ratio between the population of each constituency and the num- ber of seats allotted to it shall so far as practicable be the same through- out the Panchayat area.

29. Article 243D prescribes the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, in the manner prescribed thereunder. Article 243 E prescribes the duration of Panchayats and Art- icle 243F deals with disqualification of membership. Article 243G em- phasises the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats, which stipulates that subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the legis- lature of a State may by law endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institu- tions of self Government and such law may contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats, at the appro- priate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, with respect to