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STUDY MATERIAL
TCS/TPS Gr-II, TPSC (Combined), Sub – Inspector of Excise,
JRBT, Sub-Inspector of Police etc.
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA & PANCHAYAT RAJ SYSTEM IN TRIPURA
Important Topics for both Prelims and Mains:
(1) 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992), (2) 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) (3) Balwant
Rai Mehta Committee (4) Ashok Mehta Committee (5) L.M. Singhvi Committee (6) Dilip Singh Bhuria
Committee (7) Santhanam Committee (8) G.V.K. Rao Committee (9) Different Committees on
Panchayati Raj System (10) PESA Act (11) Urban Development Department Tripura (12) Agartala
Municipal Corporation (13) Agartala Municipal Corporation (14) Sarkaria Commission (15) Tripura
Scripts History with 7 National Panchayat Awards (Total Prize Money ₹10 cr.)

(1) 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)

The idea which produced the 73rd Amendment was not a response to pressure from the grassroots, but to
an increasing recognition that the institutional initiatives of the preceding decade had not delivered, that the extent
of rural poverty was still much too large and thus the existing structure of government needed to be reformed. This
idea evolved from the Centre and the state governments. It was a political drive to see PRIs as a solution to the
governmental crises that India was experiencing.
The Constitutional (73rd Amendment) Act, passed in 1992 by the Narasimha Rao government, came into
force on 24th April, 1993. It was meant to provide constitutional sanction to establish “democracy at the
grassroots level as it is at the state level or national level”. Its main features are as follows:
1. The Gram Sabha or village assembly as a deliberative body to decentralised governance has been
envisaged as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj System.73rd Amendment of the Constitution empowered
the Gram Sabhas to conduct social audits in addition to its other functions.
2. A uniform three-tier structure of Panchayats at village (Gram Panchayat-GP), intermediate or block
(Panchayat Samiti-PS) and district (Zilla Parishad- ZP) levels.
3. All the seats in a Panchayat at every level are to be filled by elections from respective territorial
constituencies.
4. Not less than one-third of the total seats for membership as well as office of chairpersons of each tier have
to be reserved for women.
5. Reservation for weaker castes and tribes (SCs and STs) have to be provided at all levels in proportion to
their population in the Panchayats.
6. To supervise, direct and control the regular and smooth elections to Panchayats, a State Election
Commission Act has ensured constitution of a State Finance Commission in every State/UT, for every five
years, to suggest measures to strengthen finances of Panchayati Raj institutions.
7. To promote bottom-up-planning, the District Planning Committee (DPC) in every district has been
accorded to constitutional status.
8. An indicative list of 29 items has been given in Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. Panchayats are
expected to play an effective role in planning and implementation of works related to these 29 items.

(2) 74th Constitutional Amendment Act

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), also called municipalities, are self-government institutions responsible for
the administration of cities, towns, and transitional areas within a state or Union Territory. The 74th amendment to
the Constitution of India in 1992 provided constitutional framework for the establishment of Urban Local Bodies.
There are three types of Urban Local Bodies in which includes Municipal Corporations governing large
urban areas, Municipal Councils governing smaller urban areas, and Nagar Panchayats governing transitional
areas from rural to urban. They are established by individual state governments and can differ in names, election
method, or tier structure. The classification of these areas is at the discretion of the states, considering factors such

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as total population, population density, non-agricultural employment, annual revenue generation, among other
criteria.

Municipal governance in India in its current form has existed since the year 1664. In 1664, Fort Kochi
Municipality was established by Dutch, making it the first municipality in Indian subcontinent, which got
dissolved when Dutch authority got weaker in the 18th century. British followed with the formation of Madras
Municipal Corporation in 1687, and then Calcutta and Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1726. In the early
part of the nineteenth century almost all towns in India had experienced some form of municipal governance. In
1882 the then Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon, known as the Father of Local Self Government, passed a
resolution of local self-government which lead the democratic forms of municipal governance in India.
In 1919, a Government of India Act incorporated the need of the resolution and the powers of
democratically elected government were formulated. In 1935 another Government of India act brought local
government under the preview of the state or provincial government and specific powers were given.
74th Constitutional Amendment Act
It was the 74th amendment to the Constitution of India in 1992 that brought constitutional validity to
municipal or local governments. Until amendments were made in respective state municipal legislations as well,
municipal authorities were organised on an ultra vires (beyond the authority) basis and the state governments were
free to extend or control the functional sphere through executive decisions without an amendment to the legislative
provisions.
As per the 2011 Census, the key urbanised areas were classified as follows
1. Statutory Towns: All areas under statutory urban administrative units like Municipal Corporation,
Municipality, Cantonment Board, Notified Town Area Committee, Town Panchayat, Nagar Palika, etc., are
known as Statutory Towns. According to 2011 Census of India, there were 4041 statutory urban local
bodies (ULBs) in the country as compared to 3799 as per Census of 2001.
2. Census Towns: All Administrative units satisfying the following three criteria simultaneously: i) A
minimum population of 5,000 persons; ii) 75 percent and above of the male main working population being
engaged in non–agricultural pursuits, and iii) A density of population of at least 400 persons per km2. As
per the 2011 Census, there were 3,784 Census Towns against 1,362 in 2001.
Statutory towns are of various kinds and the major categories include
1. Municipal corporation (Nagar Nigam)
2. Municipality (municipal council, municipal board, municipal committee) (Nagar Parishad)
3. Town area committee
4. Notified area committee
The municipal corporations and municipalities are fully representative bodies, while the notified area
committees and town area committees are either fully or partially nominated bodies. As per the Constitution of
India, 74th Amendment Act of 1992, the latter two categories of towns are to be designated as municipalities or
Nagar Panchayats with elected bodies. After the 74th Amendment was enacted there are only three categories of
urban local bodies:
1. Mahanagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation)
2. Nagar Palika (Municipality)
3. Nagar Panchayat (Notified Area Council or Town Panchayat)
Among all urban local governments, municipal corporations enjoy a greater degree of fiscal autonomy and
functions, although the specific fiscal and functional powers vary across the states. These local governments have
larger populations, a more diversified economic base, and deal with the state governments directly. On the other
hand, municipalities or Nagar Panchayats have less autonomy, smaller jurisdictions, and have to deal with the state
governments through the Directorate of Municipalities or through the collector of a district. These local bodies are
subject to detailed supervisory control and guidance by the state governments.
State Municipal Acts
State Municipal Acts are legislations enacted by state governments to establish municipal governments,
administer them, and provide a framework of governance for cities within the state. Every state has its own
municipal act and some states have more than one municipal act, governing larger and smaller municipalities under
different acts. Various processes including rules for elections, recruitment of staff, and demarcation of urban areas
derived from the state municipal acts. Most Municipal Acts are enforced across all statutory urban areas in the
respective states except the cantonment areas. The Government of India had issued a Model Municipal Law in
2003 which aimed to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the municipal governments in the various states
and bring them into conformity with the provisions of the 74th CAA.
Responsibilities of urban local bodies
The municipal bodies of India are vested with a long list of functions delegated to them by the state
governments under their respective municipal legislations.
The Twelfth Schedule of Constitution (Article 243 W) provides an illustrative list of eighteen functions
that may be entrusted to the municipalities.
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 Public health includes water supply, sewerage and sanitation, eradication of communicable diseases etc.;
welfare includes public facilities such as education, recreation, etc.; regulatory functions related to prescribing and
enforcing building regulations, encroachments on public land, birth registration and death certificate, etc.; public
safety includes fire protection, street lighting, etc.; public works measures such as construction and maintenance of
inner-city roads, etc.; and development functions related to town planning and development of commercial
markets. In addition to the legally assigned functions, the sectoral departments of the state government often assign
unilaterally, and on an agency basis, various functions such as family planning, nutrition and slum improvement,
disease and Epidemic control, etc.
Municipal functions
The suggested functions to Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Town Panchayats are listed in the
table below:
Essentially Municipal Functions Municipal Municipal Town
Corporation Council Panchayat
Urban planning including town planning Yes Yes Yes
Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings Yes Yes Yes
Planning for economic and social development Yes Yes Yes
Roads and bridges Yes Yes Yes
Water supply domestic, industrial and commercial Yes Yes Yes
purposes
Public health, sanitation, conservancy, and solid waste Yes Yes Yes
management
Fire services Yes Yes No
Urban forestry Yes Yes Yes
Preventive Health Care Yes Yes Yes
Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, Yes Yes Yes
gardens, playgrounds
Burials and burial grounds, cremations, cremation Yes Yes Yes
ghats/grounds, and electric crematoria
Cattle pounds, prevention of cruelty to animals Yes Yes Yes
Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths Yes Yes Yes
Street lighting Yes Yes Yes
Parking lots, bus stops, and public conveniences Yes Yes Yes
Regulation of slaughter-houses and tanneries Yes Yes Yes
Slum improvement and up-gradation Yes Yes Yes
Agency Functions
Protection of the environment and promotion of Yes Yes Yes
ecological aspects
Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, Yes Yes Yes
including the handicapped and the intellectually
disabled
Urban poverty alleviation Yes Yes Yes
Promotion of cultural, education, and aesthetic aspects Yes Yes Yes
Primary Education Yes Yes Yes
Primary Health Care Yes Yes Yes
Municipal Corporation
Nigam and other names in different states (“Municipal Corporation/City Corporation”) in India are state
government formed urban local bodies that work for the development of a metropolitan city, which has a
population of more than 1 million (10 lakh). The growing population and urbanisation in various cities of India
were in need of a local governing body that can work for providing necessary community services like health
centres, educational institutes, and housing and property tax. They also replace street lights.
They are formed under the Corporations Act of 1835 which mainly deals in providing essential services in
a major city. Their elections are held once in five-year and the people choose the candidates. The largest
corporations are in the eight metropolitan cities of India, namely Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore,
Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Pune. These cities not only have a large population but are also the
administrative as well as commercial centres of the country.
Municipal Council
A Municipality, or Municipal Council, is an urban local body that administers a smaller urban area with a
minimum population of 100,000 but less than 1,000,000. However, there are exceptions to that, as previously
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municipalities were constituted in urban centers with a population over 20,000 were reclassified as Municipality
even if their population was under 100,000. Locally, the municipality is known as Nagar Palika and these are
constituted by the Municipal Acts of the respective states.
Municipalities in India are categorized into City Municipal Councils and Town Municipal Councils or
grades, the classification of which depends on factors like population, economic growth, employment, and more.
This classification varies from state to state. For instance, in Kerala, municipalities are graded as I, II, III, while in
Bihar, the classification is denoted as Class A, B, C. The criteria for these classifications include population,
population density, non-agricultural employment, and other relevant parameters.
It interacts directly with the state government, though it is administratively part of the district it is located
in. Generally smaller district cities and bigger towns have a Municipality. Municipalities are also a form of local
self-government, entrusted with some duties and responsibilities, as enshrined and guided upon by the
Constitutional (74th Amendment) Act, 1992. Udaipur is a city which is big but its population is 451,000 so it has a
Municipality.
The members of the Municipal Councils are elected representatives for a term of five years. The town is
divided into wards according to its population, and representatives are elected from each ward. The members elect
a chairperson and vice chairperson among themselves to preside over and conduct meetings. A chief officer, along
with officers like an engineer, sanitary inspector, health officer, and education officer who come from the state
public service are appointed by the state government to control the administrative affairs of the municipality.
City Municipal Councils are known regionally by different names, including Town Municipal Council,
Town Municipality, Nagar Palika, Nagarasabe, Purasabe, Nagara Sabha and Nagaraatchi.
Town Panchayat
A Town Panchayat (also known as Nagar Panchayat or Town Board) is a form of an urban political unit in
India comparable to a municipality. The composition of Town Panchayats varies across states, serving as the
governing body for areas transitioning from „rural‟ to „urban‟.
Town Panchayats in Tamil Nadu are established based on a population range of above 5000 and below
30,000, categorized into grades determined by criteria including population and economic growth. In Bihar, Town
Panchayats are constituted for populations ranging from above 12,000 to below 40,000, while in Karnataka, the
criteria are above 10,000 and below 20,000.
Each Nagar Panchayat has a committee consisting of a chairman with ward members. Membership consists
of a minimum of ten elected ward members and three nominated members. The members of the Nagar Panchayat
are elected from the several wards of the Nagar Panchayat on the basis of adult franchise for a term of five years.
There are seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes, and women. The Councillors
or Ward Members are chosen by direct election from electoral wards in the Nagar Panchayats.
Town boards are also known by different names depending on the region, including: Nagar Panchayat,
Taluk Panchayat, Municipal Board, Town Panchayat and Pura Panchayat. Certain states lack Town
Panchayats or equivalent urban local bodies. In the case of Kerala, Town Panchayats currently may not be in
existence or may not be constituted, despite being stipulated in the Kerala Municipality Act.
(3) BALWANT RAI MEHTA COMMITTEE
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee established by the Government of India in 1957 to
evaluate the National Extension Service and the Community Development Programme. The committee's
recommendations led to the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system in India.
Here are some details about the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee:
Purpose: The committee was appointed to evaluate the functioning of the National Extension Service and the
Community Development Programme, and to suggest ways to improve them.
Chairman: Balwant Rai G Mehta was the committee's chairman.
Recommendations: The committee recommended the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj structure, with
the following levels:
Village level: Gram Panchayat, Block level: Panchayat Samiti, District level: Zila Parishad
Acceptance: The National Development Council accepted the committee‟s recommendations in 1958.
First state: Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj.
Balwant Rai Mehta is known as the father of Panchayati Raj.

(4) ASHOK MEHTA COMMITTEE

The Ashok Mehta Committee was formed in 1977 to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system in India. The
committee‟s recommendations included:
1. Two-tier system: Replace the three-tier system with a two-tier system, consisting of the Zila Parishad at
the district level and the Mandal Panchayat for groups of villages with a population of 15,000–20,000.
2. Political participation: Political parties should participate in all levels of Panchayat elections
3. Taxation powers: Panchayati Raj Institutions should have the power to tax to generate their own funds

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 4. Social audits: A district-level agency and a committee of legislators should regularly audit the use of funds
for vulnerable groups
5. State government: The state government should not supersede the Panchayati Raj Institutions
6. Minister: The state council of ministers should appoint a minister for Panchayati Raj
7. Reservations: Reserve seats for weaker sections and women
8. Financial resources: Provide adequate financial resources for Panchayats
The committee‟s recommendations were not fully implemented due to the loss of favour for the Janata
Party, which guided the committee.
(5) L.M. SINGHVI COMMITTEE
The L.M. Singhvi Committee was appointed in 1986 by the Rajiv Gandhi government to investigate the
challenges facing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The committee recommended several measures to revitalize
PRIs, including:
Constitutional recognition
The committee recommended that PRIs should be constitutionally recognized and protected. A new chapter
in the Constitution should be added to define their powers and functions.
Free and fair elections
The committee recommended that PRIs should have regular, free, and fair elections.
Judicial tribunals
The committee recommended that judicial tribunals be established in each state to adjudicate matters related to
PRIs.
Financial resources
The committee recommended that village panchayats should have more financial resources for their activities.
Gram Sabha
The committee emphasized the importance of the Gram Sabha and called it the embodiment of direct democracy.
Nyaya Panchayats
The committee recommended establishing Nyaya Panchayats for a cluster of villages.
Reorganization of villages
The committee recommended reorganizing villages to make the gram panchayat more viable.
People’s participation
The committee recommended that people's participation in community welfare projects should be channelized.
Women’s participation
The committee recommended co-opting two women members in development works related to women and
children.
The 73rd Amendment Act was an attempt to restructure the Panchayati Raj to reach the grassroots level.
(6) DILIP SINGH BHURIA COMMITTEE
A Commission was constituted viz. Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission headed by Shri
Dilip Singh Bhuria under provision of Article 339(1) of the Constitution in 2002 and submitted its report in 2004.
The Dilip Singh Bhuria Committee is primarily associated with Panchayati Raj in tribal areas.
Explanation: The Bhuria Committee, also known as the Dilip Singh Bhuria Committee, was established by the
Indian government to study various aspects of tribal self-rule and tribal affairs, with a significant focus on the
implementation of Panchayati Raj systems in tribal regions.
Focus on tribal issues:
It examined issues related to tribal land rights, forests, health, education, and the functioning of Panchayats
within tribal areas.
Recommendations for tribal development:
The committee provided recommendations to improve the participation and empowerment of tribal
communities within the Panchayati Raj system.
(7) SANTHANAM COMMITTEE
The Santhanam Committee submitted its report in 1964. It said that the discretionary powers enjoyed by
the civil servants led to harassment, malpractices, and corruption. The government accepted 106 out of 137
recommendations made by the Committee.
In 1964, Lal Bahadur Sastri appointed Santhanam to preside over the committee on anti-corruption.
Because of its thorough investigative work and recommendations, the Committee earned a reputation as
Santhanam‟s Committee on Anti-Corruption.
(8) G.V.K. RAO COMMITTEE
The G.V.K. Rao Committee was a committee appointed by the Planning Commission in 1985 to review India‟s
rural development and poverty alleviation programs. The committee was chaired by G.V.K. Rao. The committee‟s
recommendations included:
1. Strengthening the Panchayati Raj system

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 2. The committee recommended that the Panchayati Raj system be strengthened and revitalized.
3. Making the Zila Parishad the principal body
4. The committee recommended that the Zila Parishad be the main body for managing development programs
at the district level.
5. Assigning a role to Panchayati Raj institutions
6. The committee recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions at the district and lower levels be assigned a
role in planning, implementing, and monitoring rural development programs.
7. Creating the post of District Development Commissioner
8. The committee recommended creating the post of District Development Commissioner, who would serve
as the Zilla Parishad‟s CEO.
9. Holding regular elections
10. The committee recommended that elections to the Panchayati Raj systems be held regularly.
11. The committee‟s report was published in 1986.
(9) Different Committees on Panchayati Raj System
Here are some committees related to Panchayati Raj:
1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Recommended a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions,
namely Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
2. Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Recommended a two-tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions, namely
Mandal Panchayat and Zila Parishad.
3. Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984): Examined the implementation of the Drought Prone Areas
Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP).
4. G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985): Recommended making the district as the basic unit of planning and
holding regular elections.
5. L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Recommended providing more financial resources and constitutional
status to panchayats.
6. Gadgil Committee (1988): The Congress party constituted this committee in 1988 to consider how to
make Panchayati Raj institutions effective.
Panchayati Raj is a system of local self-governance in India. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of
1992 gave constitutional validity to Panchayati Raj.
(10) PESA Act
The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) is an act that was passed by the
Parliament of India on 24th December, 1996. The act was enacted to extend the provisions of the Constitution of
India‟s Part IX to the Scheduled Areas. The PESA Act was a response to the demands of tribal communities for
more autonomy and control over their affairs. The act aims to:
1. Preserve the cultural identity, traditions, and customs of the people
2. Protect community resources
3. Safeguard the customary mode of dispute resolution
4. Provide greater autonomy to the Scheduled Areas
5. Protect the rights of the people over land and forest
6. Preserve the tribal population from exploitation
The PESA Act gives special powers to the Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas, especially for managing
natural resources. The act also empowers tribal communities by giving them a stronger say in self-governance.
Some states that are covered under PESA include: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
(11) URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TRIPURA
Local Self Government (LSG) Department was created in 1967 to control the works, and developmental
activities related to urban affairs. Recognising the importance and necessity of development the Directorate of
Urban Development was established on 26.07.1991. The nomenclature of LSG Department was changed to Urban
Development Department in 1994. Directorate of Urban Development functions and controls the administrative and
development related issues of the ULBs. The Tripura Municipal Act 1994 guides the administration in the Urban
Local Bodies. Presently, there are 20 ULBs (1 Municipal Corporation, 13 Municipal Councils, 6 Nagar
Panchayats) with an area of 242.83 sq.km and a population of 8,82,817.
The functions of Directorate of Urban Development broadly relates to safe drinking water, new roads and
maintenance of existing one, better sewerage system, street lighting, construction of dwelling units, low cost
sanitation, employment opportunities, loans, construction of shelter houses, construction of inner city roads and
drains, town halls, shopping centres equipped with modern facilities etc.
Cities in Tripura by population
Tripura is a state in Northeast India. The third-smallest state in the country, it covers 10,491.69 km2
(4,050.86 sq mi) and is bordered by Bangladesh to the north, south, and west, and the Indian states of Assam and
Mizoram to the east. In 2011 the state had 3,671,032 residents, constituting 0.3% of the country‟s population.
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According to the data from the Census of 2011, there are 8 districts, 23 sub-divisions and 20 municipal towns in
the state of Tripura. There is only one city in this state with a Municipal Corporation - Agartala and thirteen
towns with Municipal Council as per latest data.
Sl. No. Town Class Sub-division District Municipal Wards
1. Agartala Municipal Corporation Sadar West Tripura 51
2. Dharmanagar Municipal Council Dharmanagar North Tripura 25
3. Udaipur Municipal Council Udaipur Gomati 23
4. Kailashahar Municipal Council Kailasahar Unakoti 17
5. Bishalgarh Municipal Council Bishalgarh Sipahijala 15
6. Teliamura Municipal Council Teliamura Khowai 15
7. Khowai Municipal Council Khowai Khowai 15
8. Belonia Municipal Council Belonia South Tripura 17
9. Melaghar Municipal Council Sonamura Sipahijala 13
10. Mohanpur Municipal Council Mohanpur West Tripura 15
11. Ambassa Municipal Council Ambassa Dhalai 15
12. Ranirbazar Municipal Council Sadar West Tripura 13
13. Santirbazar Municipal Council Santirbazar South Tripura 15
14. Kumarghat Municipal Council Kumarghat Unakoti 15
15. Sonamura Nagar Panchayat Sonamura Sipahijala 13
16. Panisagar Nagar Panchayat Panisagar North Tripura 13
17. Amarpur Nagar Panchayat Amarpur Gomati 13
18. Jirania Nagar Panchayat Jirania West Tripura 11
19. Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat Kamalpur Dhalai 11
20. Sabroom Nagar Panchayat Sabroom South Tripura 9
What is the percentage of urban population in Tripura?
• Urban 39.19%
• Rural 60.81%
The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) administers an area of 76.5 square kilometers:
Agartala Municipal Corporation Wards 51
Agartala Municipal Corporation Zones: Four (4): North, Central, East, and South
The AMC is the oldest Municipal body in Northeast India, established in 1871. It governs and maintains the city
of Agartala, the capital of Tripura.
The city is divided into municipal wards and each ward elects a councillor to the Council.
(12) Agartala Municipal Corporation
The Agartala Municipal Corporation or AMC is the municipal body which governs and maintains the city of
Agartala, the Third-largest developed city after Imphal and Guwahati metropolitan in North-east India. Formed in the
year 1871 the oldest municipal body in Northeast India, AMC had a vital role in developing & modernizing the state and
managing in its various activities. This civic administrative body administers an area of 76.5 km2. AMC is headed by
Dipak Majumder the present Mayor of Agartala.
The Agartala Municipal Council was transformed into the Agartala
Municipal Corporation (AMC) on 2nd July, 2004.
Objective
The Municipal Corporation consists of councillors elected by the residents of the city. The city is divided into
municipal wards and each ward elects a councillor to the Council. The municipal area was 16.012 km2 with a population
of 1,89,329 at the 2001 census. The Urban Development Department Notification No.F.2(2)–UDD /2003 dated 2nd July
2004 the Agartala Municipal Council has further been extended taking 16 No. of Grams of Dukli R.D.Block, 7 No. of
Grams of Mohanpur R.D. Block and 2 No. of Grams of Jirania R.D. Block with an area of 42.83 square kilometers
and a population of 178,495. The present municipal building is located near the City Center of Agartala location namely
Paradise Chowhamani.
Important Members of the Mayor-in-Council
Sl. No Name Designation
1. Dipak Majumdar Mayor
2. Smt. Manika Das Datta Deputy Mayor

(13) PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM IN TRIPURA

The first step towards setting up of Panchayat Raj System was taken up in the State in the year 1959 by adopting
the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Act viz “The United Provinces Panchayat Raj Act-1947” with some modifications. The
Tripura Panchayat Raj Rules were framed in the year 1961 introducing single tier Panchayat Raj system. The elected
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body of the Gaon Sabha was constituted through open election by raising hands. Reforms were made in election
procedure to ensure free and fair election under adult franchise by secret ballots with participation of political parties in
the year 1978 and the he Pradhans of the Gaon Panchayat were elected directly.
Later on changes has been made of election of the Pradhans by electing the Pradhan among the elected members
of Gaon Sabha in 1983. In 1988, nominated body was constituted in Gram Sabha.
Pursuant to the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India in the year 1992, the Tripura Panchayat Act,
1993 has been enacted with a view to decentralizing power at village level, in 1994, the seats of Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes were reserved proportionately as per the provision of the Tripura Panchayat Acts, 1993; one third
seats for the posts of Panchayat Pradhan, Chairman of Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Sabhadhipati were also reserved for
women. At present the percentage of reservation of women is 50 percent. The first General Elections of the Panchayats
took place in 1994. Since then, elections for three-tier Panchayati Raj were held in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019
(27/07/2019). Since the year 2014, 50% women representative‟s seats have been elected in all the three-tiers of
Panchayati Raj system as well as TTAADC Village Committees in Tripura.
Tripura made an example peoples participation in PRI‟s systems. Due to proper functioning of the three-tier
Panchayati Raj comprising Elected Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad the entire socio-Economic
condition of the people has changed significantly.
Panchayati Raj System in Tripura
Before 1977 After 1977
In the princely State of Tripura the Panchayats were Steps have been taken for election to the Panchayats with the
administered through “Sardar”. voters after attaining 18 years of age.
After merger with the union territory in 1949 steps Initially, 1-tier Panchayats were constituted.
have taken to constitute the Panchayats.
United province Panchayat Acts, 1960 was adopted The 2-tier Panchayat was nominated. It was headed Block
in the State to constitute Panchayat. Development Committee. The Block Development Committee.
The Block Development Committee was headed by the local
MLA or Member of TTAADC
At that time Panchayats were elected by raising hands Tripura Panchayat Raj Act, 1983 was implemented for
and there was no limitation for specific duration for constituting 1-tier Panchayats.
the elected members. As a result those who were
elected once had to continue for longer period.
Panchayats did not grow effectively in the State. After the 73rd amendment of the Constitution, the Tripura
Panchayats Raj Act, 1993 was enacted and assent of the
Governor was received on 7th November, 1993.
Mission:
The mission of RD (Panchayat) Department, Government of Tripura is to reduce poverty through community
mobilisation, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods. The department focuses on building strong representations
of elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries for development of PRIs & Non-PRIs and also to ensure
qualitative capacity building of elected representatives and functionaries for ascertaining significant difference in
decision making.
Vision:
The vision of RD (Panchayat) Department, Government of Tripura to focus on the Acts, Rules and Guidelines
that benefits the rural strata of the society which strives to energise the democratic decentralization process and improves
the operation and efficiency of Elected Representatives and Functionaries to promote proper planning in the grassroots
level using modern technology and other means.
SL. PARTICULARS INFORMATION
NO.
1. Total number of District 8
2. Total number of Sub-Division 23
3. Total number of Block 58
4. Total number of Revenue Circle 45
5. Total number of Tehasil 222
6. Total number of Revenue Mouja 897
7. Total number of Zilla Parishad 8
8. Total number of Panchayat Samities 35
9. Total number of Gram Panchayats 606
10. Total number of Block Advisory Committee 40
11. Total number of Village Committees 587

(14) SARKARIA COMMISSION

The Sarkaria Commission was established by the Government of India on June 9, 1983. The commission was
named after its chairman, Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria, a retired Supreme Court judge. The commission‟s main purpose

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was to review the relationship between the central and state governments, and to recommend changes to the Constitution
of India.
(15) Tripura scripts history with 7 National Panchayat Awards
(Total Prize Money ₹10 cr.)
1. Best District in the Country: Gomati (Prize Money ₹5 cr.)
2. Second Best Block in the Country: Amarpur RD Block (Prize Money ₹1.75 cr.)
3. Best Women-Friendly Panchayat in the Country: South Manubankul, Rupaichari (Prize Money ₹1 cr.)
4. Second Best Gram Urja Panchayat, Visesh Puraskar: Thakcherra, Amarpur (Prize Money ₹0.75 cr.)
5. Third Prize in Poverty Free & Enhanced Livelihood Village, Water Sufficient Village and Child Friendly Village:
Betcherra (Kumarghat), Debbari (Amarpur) and Rajkang (Amarpur) (Prize Money ₹0.50 cr.)
These remarkable achievements reflect good governance & strong Panchayati-Raj system in Tripura.

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