What were the constitutional provisions for local self-government before 1992?

 Local government’s subjects were assigned to the state government.  These were included as Directive Principles of State Policy.  These were non-justiciable and only advisory in nature. In 1952, a three tier system of local government was recommended, but these had no powers and functions to look after.  The elections were not held regularly.  These had to be dependent on the states for their grants and finances.