Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika Acts

Though it was Rajiv Gandhi who had initiated the move, it was during the time when Narasimha Rao was prime minister that the Panchayati Raj and municipal government got constitutional status. With the enactment of the 73 rd Constitutional Amendment, a new chapter, Part -IX, was inserted in the Constitution of India. A new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats was also added. The amendment is an implementation of one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. States have been given flexibility to take into consideration their geographical, politico-administrative and others conditions while adopting the Panchayati Raj system.

With the enactment of the 74th Amendment to the Constitution, a new chapter, Part-IX A, has been added to the Constitution. States now have a constitutional obligation to adopt municipalities as per the system prescribed in the Constitution.

In both panchayats and municipal bodies there is reservation for SC/ST and women; this is an attempt to ensure that there is inclusiveness in local self-government.

Handling Security Issues and Space Tech The Punjab situation was controlled. Rao went in for state elections though there were misgivings. It was for the good

as after the 2002 elections, militancy died down.

The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act was passed mainly directed towards eliminating the infiltrators from Pakistan.

The modernisation of the defence sector was given importance, and military spending was increased. Prithvi 1 missile was inducted into the army.

It is widely believed that it was Narasimha Rao who made sure that India’s nuclear programme made progress.

Space technology progressed with the successful tests of the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle as well as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.