Panchayati Raj (Art 243) — Set 12
Constitution Special · पंचायती राज (अनु. 243) · Questions 111–120 of 140
The State Finance Commission under Article 243I is constituted every how many years?
Correct Answer: B. B) 5 years
Article 243I requires the Governor of each state to constitute a Finance Commission every five years to review the financial position of Panchayats and make recommendations for distribution of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls and fees between the State and Panchayats. This ensures regular financial review of PRIs. The State Finance Commission functions similar to the Central Finance Commission.
Which article of the Constitution establishes the State Election Commission for superintendence of Panchayat elections?
Correct Answer: C. C) Article 243K
Article 243K provides for the constitution of a State Election Commission consisting of a State Election Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor and can only be removed in the same manner as a High Court judge. The State Election Commission has superintendence, direction, and control of preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections to Panchayats and Municipalities. The SEC is independent of the state government.
Article 243M excludes the provisions of Part IX (Panchayati Raj) from applying to which areas?
Correct Answer: B. B) Scheduled Areas and tribal areas under certain provisions
Article 243M provides that Part IX (Panchayati Raj) shall not apply to the Scheduled Areas (Fifth Schedule) and tribal areas (Sixth Schedule) in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. However, Parliament can extend the provisions to these areas with exceptions or modifications. The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA) extended Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule areas with special provisions.
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system. What were the three tiers?
Correct Answer: B. B) Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier democratic decentralization structure: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block/taluka level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. Rajasthan implemented this structure first in 1959, followed by Andhra Pradesh. The committee emphasized that the Panchayat Samiti should be the main executive body.
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA) was enacted to grant tribal communities what special rights?
Correct Answer: B. B) Right to self-governance and control over natural resources
PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act) 1996 was enacted to extend Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule tribal areas with special provisions. It grants gram sabhas in tribal areas the power to manage community resources, prevent alienation of land, control over minor forest produce, regulate money lending, and manage village markets. It recognizes customary law and traditions of tribal communities in these areas.
Under Article 243ZD, what is the District Planning Committee responsible for?
Correct Answer: B. B) Preparing draft development plan for the district
Article 243ZD requires every state to constitute a District Planning Committee at the district level to consolidate the plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities in the district and prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole. The DPC ensures integrated planning of the entire district covering both rural and urban areas. At least four-fifths of its members must be elected from Panchayat and Municipality members.
The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-78) recommended that Panchayati Raj should have a two-tier structure instead of three. What were the two tiers?
Correct Answer: B. B) Mandal Panchayat and Zila Parishad
The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-78) recommended a two-tier structure: Mandal Panchayat (comprising a group of villages with 15,000-20,000 population) at the lower tier and Zila Parishad at the district level as the higher tier. The committee recommended abolishing the intermediate Panchayat Samiti/Block level. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal implemented variations of this recommendation.
Article 243G deals with powers and functions of Panchayats. Which subjects have been transferred to Panchayats by the 11th Schedule?
Correct Answer: C. C) 29 subjects
The Eleventh Schedule added by the 73rd Amendment contains 29 subjects that state governments may transfer to Panchayats for planning and implementation. These include agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, small scale industries, rural housing, drinking water, fuel and fodder, roads, rural electrification, non-conventional energy, poverty alleviation, education, cultural activities, markets, health, family welfare, and women and child development. Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.
The concept of Gram Sabha as the foundation of Panchayati Raj was first emphasized in which report?
Correct Answer: C. C) L.M. Singhvi Report
The L.M. Singhvi Committee Report (1986) strongly emphasized the role of Gram Sabha as the foundation of Panchayati Raj. The report recommended that Gram Sabhas should be constitutionally recognized and Nyaya Panchayats should be established for judicial functions. This report significantly influenced the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj including Gram Sabha.
Which state was the first to implement Panchayati Raj as per the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommendation in 1959?
Correct Answer: B. B) Rajasthan
Rajasthan was the first state to implement the three-tier Panchayati Raj system as recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee. The launch was done in Nagaur district of Rajasthan on October 2, 1959 by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Andhra Pradesh was the second state to implement this system. However, the system was not uniform across states and lacked constitutional backing until the 73rd Amendment.