Federalism Test - 7

In 2005, some new laws were made in Russia giving more powers to its president.

The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level. People have better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently. Besides, at the local level it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision making.

Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas were set up in all the States.

Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas were set up in all the States. But these were directly under the control of state governments.

A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective.

Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.

An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.

Rural local government is popular ly known by the name panchayati raj. Each village, or a group of villages in some States, has a gram panchayat.

Rural local government is popularly known by the name panchayati raj. Each village, or a group of villages in some States, has a gram panchayat. This is a council consisting of several ward members, often called panch, and a president or sarpanch.