Panchayati Raj (Art 243) — Set 14
Constitution Special · पंचायती राज (अनु. 243) · Questions 131–140 of 140
Which schedule of the Constitution has provisions for the administration of Scheduled Tribes and regulation of their affairs through tribal councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram?
Correct Answer: B. B) Sixth Schedule
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas through autonomous district councils and regional councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. These councils have legislative, executive, and judicial powers over tribal areas. Part IX (Panchayati Raj) does not apply to these areas under Article 243M to protect tribal autonomy and customary rights.
Under Article 243F, persons who are disqualified for elections to the State Legislature are also disqualified from being elected to Panchayats. However, Parliament/State Legislature can prescribe additional disqualifications. What age-related disqualification does the Constitution specify?
Correct Answer: C. C) Must not be less than 21 years old
Article 243F(1) provides that a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as a member of a Panchayat if that person is so disqualified by or under any law for the time being in force for the purposes of elections to the Legislature of the State concerned. Article 243F also specifies that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that they are less than twenty-five years of age, if they have attained twenty-one years. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India, consisting of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
The Eleventh Schedule added by the 73rd Amendment lists 29 subjects for Panchayats. Which is NOT one of them?
Correct Answer: D. D) Urban planning including town planning
Urban planning including town planning is a subject for Municipalities under the Twelfth Schedule (added by the 74th Amendment for Urban Local Bodies), not for Panchayats under the Eleventh Schedule. The Eleventh Schedule covers rural development subjects like agriculture, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, rural housing, education in rural areas, and poverty alleviation programs in rural areas. The power to amend the Constitution is a special power that cannot be used to destroy its basic structure.
Which article of the Constitution prohibits courts from having jurisdiction in Panchayat election matters?
Correct Answer: B. B) Article 243O
Article 243O provides that notwithstanding anything in the Constitution, the validity of any law relating to delimitation of constituencies or allotment of seats shall not be called in question in any court. No election to any Panchayat shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as is provided by or under any law made by the Legislature of the State. The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections.
Who was the Chairman of the committee that recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj, leading to the 73rd Amendment?
Correct Answer: D. D) The 64th Amendment Bill was introduced by Rajiv Gandhi government
The 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill 1989 was introduced by Rajiv Gandhi's government but it lapsed. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 was finally passed during P.V. Narasimha Rao's government. The amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. The Sarkaria Commission had earlier recommended decentralization to Panchayati Raj institutions.
Under Article 243H, a State Legislature can authorize Panchayats to levy and collect which of the following?
Correct Answer: B. B) Taxes, duties, tolls and fees
Article 243H provides that the Legislature of a State may by law authorize a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and fees in accordance with such procedure and subject to such limits. This is the constitutional basis for fiscal decentralization to Panchayats. States vary widely in the extent to which they have actually devolved tax collection powers to Panchayats.
Under what article does a Gram Sabha have powers to consider and approve annual plans and annual budget of the Gram Panchayat?
Correct Answer: A. A) Article 243A
Article 243A provides for the constitution of a Gram Sabha as a body consisting of persons registered in electoral rolls of the village. The powers and functions of the Gram Sabha are determined by State laws. Most states have empowered Gram Sabhas to approve annual plans, annual budgets, and social audit of the Gram Panchayat's work. However, the specific powers are left to state legislation.
National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on which date in India?
Correct Answer: B. B) April 24
National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24 every year in India. This date commemorates the date on which the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 came into force - April 24, 1993. The day is celebrated to mark the importance of grassroots democracy and self-governance through Panchayati Raj institutions across the country.
Under the 73rd Amendment, which committee recommended creating an independent State Election Commission for Panchayati Raj elections?
Correct Answer: D. D) P.K. Thungon Committee
The P.K. Thungon Committee (1988) on 'Political and Administrative Structure in the Districts' specifically recommended that there should be an independent State Election Commission for conducting free and fair elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies. This recommendation was incorporated in the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts through Article 243K.
The concept of 'Nyaya Panchayat' (judicial Panchayat) for dispute resolution at village level was recommended by?
Correct Answer: B. B) L.M. Singhvi Committee 1986
The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986) recommended the establishment of Nyaya Panchayats (judicial panchayats) for dispute resolution at the village level as part of strengthening Panchayati Raj. The committee felt that village-level dispute resolution mechanisms would reduce the burden on formal courts and provide accessible justice to rural communities. However, Nyaya Panchayats are not mandated by the 73rd Amendment.