1993’s 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts have been transformational inasmuch as they provided constitutional status to the bodies of local governments and enshrined the framework for decentralized governance. These attempts were aimed at strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs in their endeavor toward effective self-governance in both rural and urban areas.

The amendments provided a three-tiered structure for PRIs—village, intermediate and district levels—and provided Gram Sabhas comprising all enrolled electors in a Panchayati area. Article 243 of the Constitution explains the Panchayat system, and hence goes on to underwrite the principle of local autonomy. Moreover, the 11th and 12th Schedules enumerate 29 and 18 subjects for PRIs and ULBs, respectively, in health, education, and sanitation etcetera, as being of concern to be achieved towards local autonomy.

Regular five-yearly elections to State Election Commissions entrench democratic participation. A State Finance Commission, instituted for every five years, evaluates existing financial resources and enlivens local governments with authority to collect taxes and receive grants.

There are challenges though. Jurisdictional ambiguities and reliance on state bureaucracies partially fetter the efficacy of PRIs. And financially, most of these local bodies lack revenue-generating capability and heavily depend on state and central grants. In sum, though these amendments have provided an appropriate platform for devolution, this process in itself definitely requires further reforms for actual local governance and active participative democracy.

Two key provisions for the protection of consumers’ interests in India are:

1. Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Establishes consumer courts and provides a framework for addressing grievances.

2. Right to Information: Ensures consumers can access product information, promoting informed decisions.