PR Committees & Balwantrai — Set 12

Correct Answer: A. Anganwadi centres under ICDS are located in gram panchayat areas and panchayats provide support including infrastructure and monitoring

Anganwadi centres under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme are located in gram panchayat areas and panchayats provide support including infrastructure, monitoring, and coordination. Panchayats often provide land for anganwadi centres and support health camp organization. In states with strong devolution panchayats have supervisory roles over ICDS. The 11th Schedule includes women and child development as a subject that can be devolved to panchayats demonstrating the constitutional basis for this linkage.

Correct Answer: A. Gram Panchayat is the primary institutional platform for implementing watershed development projects including natural resource management

The Gram Panchayat is the primary institutional platform for implementing watershed development projects including natural resource management in rural areas. Watershed projects like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) use gram panchayats as implementing units. Gram Sabhas approve watershed plans and select beneficiaries. Community-based natural resource management through panchayats has shown success in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan. Watershed development is among the 29 subjects in the 11th Schedule that can be devolved to panchayats.

Correct Answer: A. To reduce administrative layers, increase efficiency, and ensure stronger institutions at two levels rather than three weak tiers

The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended reducing three tiers to two tiers to reduce administrative layers, increase efficiency, and ensure stronger institutions at two levels rather than having three weak tiers. The committee felt that the Panchayat Samiti at block level was a redundant tier without adequate resources or powers. A two-tier structure with stronger Mandal Panchayats at base and Zila Parishads at district level was seen as more effective. However, the 73rd Amendment retained the three-tier structure reflecting that local realities varied across India.

Correct Answer: A. A government web portal providing information and services related to Panchayati Raj to citizens and officials

The National Panchayati Raj Portal (panchayat.gov.in) is a government web portal providing information and services related to Panchayati Raj to citizens, officials, and researchers. It provides data on panchayat elections, elected representatives, devolution status across states, and scheme implementation. The portal hosts the e-Gram Swaraj application for gram panchayat planning and accounting. It also provides resources for capacity building and transparency in panchayat governance.

Correct Answer: A. Self-help groups of rural women work in coordination with gram panchayats for livelihood and social development activities

Self-help groups of rural women work in coordination with gram panchayats for livelihood and social development activities. Programs like DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission) form SHGs that coordinate with panchayats. Women SHG members who become sarpanchs bring dual institutional experience. SHG federations often work with gram panchayats on MGNREGA, hygiene promotion, and social issues. The convergence of SHG networks and panchayat governance creates a strong institutional base for women's empowerment in rural areas.

Correct Answer: A. Constituent Assembly members debated village governance but ultimately placed panchayats in Directive Principles rather than Fundamental Rights

Constituent Assembly members debated village governance extensively but ultimately placed panchayats in the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 40 rather than Fundamental Rights. This made panchayats an aspirational goal rather than an enforceable right. B.R. Ambedkar was skeptical about village republics while Gandhi championed village self-governance. The compromise in the Constituent Assembly led to the directive in Article 40 which provided the constitutional basis for Panchayati Raj until the 73rd Amendment in 1992 made it a mandatory constitutional structure.

Correct Answer: A. A grievance redressal platform where citizens can provide feedback on gram panchayat performance

Panchayat Ki Aawaz is a grievance redressal platform where citizens can provide feedback on gram panchayat performance and report issues with service delivery. Such citizen feedback mechanisms strengthen accountability of gram panchayats to their constituents. Digital platforms for panchayat accountability are part of the e-governance initiatives of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. These tools help complement formal accountability mechanisms like Gram Sabha, social audit, and financial audit with real-time citizen feedback.

Correct Answer: A. Constitution does not specify but most state acts require at least two Gram Sabha meetings per year

The Constitution does not specify the minimum number of Gram Sabha meetings but most state Panchayati Raj acts require at least two Gram Sabha meetings per year. Some states like Gujarat and Rajasthan require four meetings. The dates of mandatory Gram Sabha meetings often coincide with national events like Republic Day and Independence Day. Gram Sabha meetings are used to review panchayat accounts, approve development plans, select beneficiaries, and conduct social audits making them critical democratic accountability institutions.

Correct Answer: A. 15th Finance Commission 2021-26 recommended significantly enhanced tied and untied grants to gram panchayats for basic services

The 15th Finance Commission (2021-26) recommended significantly enhanced tied and untied grants to gram panchayats for basic services. It recommended Rs 2.36 lakh crore for local bodies over the five-year period with a major portion going to gram panchayats. Tied grants are earmarked for specific basic services like sanitation, drinking water, and public health. Untied grants give panchayats flexibility to meet local needs. The 15th Finance Commission's enhanced grants represent a significant increase in fiscal transfers to panchayats.

Correct Answer: A. Adequate office space, staff, and resources must be provided to gram panchayats to function effectively

The L.M. Singhvi Committee recommended that adequate office space, staff, and resources must be provided to gram panchayats to function effectively as institutions of local self-government. The committee found that many gram panchayats lacked basic infrastructure including office buildings, furniture, and staff. Without infrastructure elected panchayats cannot function effectively. Subsequent Finance Commission grants and state schemes have provided funds for gram panchayat buildings and basic equipment to address this infrastructure gap.