PR Committees & Balwantrai — Set 3

Correct Answer: A. 1993

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force on 24 April 1993. The amendment was passed by Parliament in December 1992. It added Part IX to the Constitution containing Articles 243 to 243-O. April 24 is now observed as National Panchayati Raj Day in commemoration. The amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions and mandated elections, reservation, and devolution of powers to them.

Correct Answer: A. 29 subjects

The 11th Schedule contains 29 subjects that may be devolved to Panchayati Raj institutions. These include agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, education, health and sanitation, women and child development, and poverty alleviation programs. The schedule was inserted by the 73rd Amendment. States are empowered to devolve these functions to panchayats but are not mandated to devolve all 29 subjects.

Correct Answer: A. A body consisting of all voters registered in a village within the Gram Panchayat area

The Gram Sabha consists of all voters registered in a village within the Gram Panchayat area as defined under Article 243A of the 73rd Amendment. It is the primary forum for grassroots democracy at the village level. The Gram Sabha has powers to consider annual statements of accounts, audit reports, plans, and programs of the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha also approves beneficiary selection for various government schemes.

Correct Answer: A. Five years

The minimum term of office for elected Gram Panchayat members is five years under Article 243E of the 73rd Amendment. If a panchayat is dissolved elections must be held within six months of dissolution. Any elected member chosen to fill a casual vacancy holds office only for the remainder of the original term. The five-year term aligns with the terms of state legislatures and the Lok Sabha to ensure consistent democratic representation.

Correct Answer: A. A village-level judicial body to resolve minor civil and criminal disputes among villagers

Nyaya Panchayat is a village-level judicial body to resolve minor civil and criminal disputes among villagers at the grassroots level. The L.M. Singhvi Committee 1986 recommended their establishment to provide speedy and inexpensive justice at the village level. Nyaya Panchayats can handle small claims, minor offenses, and community disputes. They reduce the burden on the formal court system and provide accessible justice to rural communities. Their jurisdiction and composition vary by state.

Correct Answer: A. Article 243D

Article 243D of the 73rd Amendment provides for reservation of seats in Panchayati Raj institutions, mandating not less than one-third of the total seats for women. The reservation applies to seats at all three tiers of panchayats. States may provide for higher reservation for women beyond the constitutional minimum. Several states including Rajasthan, Bihar, and others have increased women's reservation in panchayats to 50%.

Correct Answer: A. Gram Sabha approves the list of beneficiaries for schemes like MGNREGA, housing, and social security

Gram Sabha approves the list of beneficiaries for schemes like MGNREGA, housing, and social security at the village level. This power ensures community participation and transparency in the selection of beneficiaries. The Gram Sabha can question the Gram Panchayat about scheme implementation. The active role of Gram Sabha in beneficiary selection is a key tool against corruption and ensures benefits reach the genuinely needy. MGNREGA specifically mandates social audit through Gram Sabhas.

Correct Answer: A. To study and recommend a structure for democratic decentralization and Community Development Programme

The Balwantrai Mehta Committee was formed in 1957 to study and recommend a structure for democratic decentralization and Community Development Programme. The National Development Programme and Community Development blocks were functioning without democratic participation. The committee found that development programmes could not succeed without people's participation. It recommended the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions to provide institutional framework for democratic decentralization in rural India.

Correct Answer: A. Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O)

The 73rd Amendment inserted Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) into the Indian Constitution dealing with Panchayati Raj. Part IX contains provisions for Gram Sabhas, constitution and composition of panchayats, reservation of seats, duration, election, powers, finance, audit, and elections. Part IX-A was separately added by the 74th Amendment for Urban Local Bodies. The 11th Schedule listing 29 functions for panchayats was also added alongside Part IX.

Correct Answer: A. A constitutional body that reviews financial position of panchayats and recommends distribution of taxes and grants

The State Finance Commission for Panchayats is a constitutional body mandated under Article 243-I of the 73rd Amendment that reviews the financial position of panchayats and recommends distribution of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees between the state government and panchayats. The SFC is constituted every five years by the Governor. Its recommendations guide the state government in fiscal transfers to panchayats. Both urban local bodies and panchayats share the same SFC for financial recommendations.