Explanation: The Community Development Programme (CDP) was launched in 1952 as a part of the First Five-Year Plan in India. The primary objective of the CDP was to promote people's participation in local development activities, which included agriculture, health, education, and rural industries. This programme was a significant step towards democratic decentralisation, as it aimed to empower local communities to take charge of their development.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts were enacted in 1992 to formalize the system of local governance in India. The 73rd Amendment Act provided for the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions at the village, block, and district levels, while the 74th Amendment Act provided for the establishment of urban local bodies. These amendments were aimed at strengthening the democratic decentralisation process by ensuring that local bodies were elected and had the power to make decisions regarding local development.
However, it is important to note that some states in India had already adopted the system of elected local bodies before the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts. For example, Gujarat and Maharashtra had established Panchayati Raj institutions in the 1960s and 1970s, respectively. These states recognized the importance of local governance and took steps to empower local communities before the constitutional amendments were enacted.
Therefore, both statements are correct. The Community Development Programme in 1952 was a significant step towards democratic decentralisation, and some states like Gujarat and Maharashtra had already adopted the system of elected local bodies before the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts. This highlights the gradual and evolving nature of local governance in India, with various initiatives and reforms contributing to the overall development of the system.