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2005 Supreme(MP) 442

High Court Of Madhya Pradesh
DIPAK MISRA, A. K. MISHRA, A. K. SHRIVASTAVA
THAN SINGH AND OTHERS ETC - Appellant
Versus
STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH - Respondents
W. P. 1573 Of 2001
Decided On : 03/30/2005

Advocates Appeared:
Deepak Panjwani, J.K.Lodhi, Mohammad Kasim, Rajendra Tiwari, S.K.YADAV

Headnote:

The provision of sub-section (2) of Section 6 of the Panchayat (Amendment) Act 2001 is constitutionally invalid.

Fact of the Case:

None

Finding of the Court:

The second limb of Section 6 (2) of the Act intending that out of which not less than one third shall be women members and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes shall be represented in proportion to their population in the 'gram Sabha' is unconstitutional.

Issues: Whether the provision of sub-section (2) of Section 6 of the Panchayat (Amendment) Act 2001 is constitutionally valid.

Ratio Decidendi: The provision is not saved by the conception of affirmative of protective discrimination as conceptually inhered under Articles 15 (3) and 15 (4) of the constitution of India. The classification that has been made in the quorum does not stand the test of equality clause as enshrined under Article 14 of the Constitution. The provision also is hit by the principle of reasonability and smacks of arbitrariness. It does not subserve the purpose of the Act but in a way, subverts the same and hence, it is not in consonance with the scheme and spirit of the Act. The purpose of quorum always lays emphasis of a particular number of members for transacting business but in the case at hand when the constituents have become the paramount and governing factors it basically runs counter to the idea of quorum, as a consequence of which the representative character of the decision melts into oblivion.

Final Decision: The reference is answered accordingly.

DIPAK MISRA, J.

( 1 ) THE present reference has arisen in a different factual matrix inasmuch as certain provisions of Madhya pradesh Panchayat Raj Evam Gram Swaraj adhiniyam, 1993 (for brevity 'the Act') that were incorporated by way of amendment into the aforesaid statute faced assail pertaining to their constitutional validity in the case of Jankidas Bairaghi v. State of M. P. , (2001)2 MPHT 227 wherein a Division Bench declared the provisions under attack as constitutionally valid and dismissed the writ petition in limine, and thereafter when the present writ petition was filed challenging the enactment the same Division Bench issued notice and when the matter was placed for final hearing the Bench hearing the matter recorded a finding that the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners had a sanguine grievance with regard to a singular provision and had no cavil in respect of any other provision and accordingly thought it condign to recommend the matter to be referred to a larger Bench and resultantly, the matter has been placed before us for adjudication in respect of the question which is as under : "whether the provision of sub-section (2)of Section 6 of the Panchayat (Amendment)Act 2001 is constitutionally valid. ?"

( 2 ) TO appreciate the controversy in proper perspective it is seemly to state that madhya Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam, 2001 was enacted by the State Legislature and received assent of the Governor on 21-1-2001 and published in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette (Extraordinary) on 22-1-2001. The constitutional validity of the said enactment was challenged in the case of Jankidas Bairaghi (supra)which was decided by a Division Bench on 22-3-2001. After referring to certain provisions of the Act the Division Bench in paragraphs 5 to 7 expressed the view as under : 5. The contentions that these provisions clash with powers, functions and responsibilities of the Gram Panchayat, are, therefore, unsustainable. Both the institutions aim at serving the people under their jurisdiction, which is not possible without an entrustment of functions, facilities and funds. The statutory provisions enumerated above, look after this requirement, they do not destroy the existence and utility of Gram panchayat which performs distinct functions kept apart by Section 49 of the panchayat (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam, 2001 and Section 49-A of the M. P. Panchayat Raj adhiniyam, 1993. Therefore, apprehensions that Gram Panchayat would be denuded of its responsibility and utility, have no basis and are liable to be rejected. 6. Proper reading of various provisions of the M. P. Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam 1993 and Panchayat (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam, 2001, would clearly demonstrate that challenges against the validity of some of sections raised by the petitioners have no substance. Since Gram Sabhas at the village level are being constituted for the first time, some of the functions at village level are going to be performed by it. There is a feeling of alienation and apprehension as to the role by Gram Panchayat, but look at the real substance of the functions, would make it clear that they are constituted for discharging well defined functions in different areas. The contention that since the Gram sabha comprised of none elected persons, therefore, it would not be fit to operate the funds placed at its disposal whereas Gram panchayat has elected members, therefore, elected persons would be fit to handle fund cannot be accepted. Neither there is presumption that only elected persons are fit to manage financial matters nor it can be so said so. Gram Sabha has separate funds like gram Panchayat. From the statement of objects and reasons, it is crystal clear that object for constituting Gram Sabha is to enable people at the village level to participate in development of the village with respect to matters of their concern and interest and with a view to discharge them, the gram Kosh has been established and power to augment financial re













































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