PR Committees & Balwantrai — Set 4

Correct Answer: A. Ashok Mehta Committee 1977

The Ashok Mehta Committee 1977 recommended that Panchayati Raj elections should have political party involvement, arguing that it would inject dynamism into the system. This was a departure from earlier thinking that panchayat elections should be non-partisan. The committee felt that political parties would bring resources, organizational capacity, and accountability to panchayat governance. This recommendation was controversial but influenced subsequent panchayat acts in several states.

Correct Answer: A. Transfer of powers, functions, funds, and functionaries from state government to panchayats

Devolution in Panchayati Raj means transfer of powers, functions, funds, and functionaries from state government to panchayats to enable genuine self-governance. The 73rd Amendment mandated devolution of 29 functions listed in the 11th Schedule. Meaningful devolution requires the 3Fs: Functions, Funds, and Functionaries. Without adequate devolution, panchayats remain hollow bodies. The extent of devolution varies widely across states with some states like Kerala and Karnataka having devolved more substantially than others.

Correct Answer: A. Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats to prepare plans for economic development

Article 243G deals with powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats to prepare plans for economic development and social justice and to implement schemes. It enables states to devolve 29 functions listed in the 11th Schedule to panchayats. The article is the constitutional basis for panchayats to function as institutions of self-government. However, it is an enabling provision not a mandatory one, meaning states have discretion in how much power to actually devolve to their panchayats.

Correct Answer: A. Article 40 which directs states to organise village panchayats

Article 40 in the Directive Principles of State Policy directs states to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government. This was the original constitutional basis for Panchayati Raj before the 73rd Amendment. Article 40 was part of the original Constitution of 1950. The 73rd Amendment in 1992 gave constitutional status and enforceability to Panchayati Raj going beyond the directive in Article 40.

Correct Answer: A. The Sarkaria Commission 1988 recommended that panchayats should be given adequate constitutional backing

The Sarkaria Commission (1983-1988), which primarily studied centre-state relations, also observed that panchayats should be given adequate constitutional backing to function as genuine institutions of self-government. While not primarily focused on panchayats, the Commission's overall recommendations for decentralization contributed to the environment that led to the 73rd Amendment in 1992. Its recommendation for strengthening lower tiers of governance supported the Panchayati Raj reform movement.

Correct Answer: A. Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Karnataka

Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Karnataka were noted for relatively strong functioning Panchayati Raj institutions before the 73rd Amendment. West Bengal's panchayats under Left Front government were particularly noted for effective gram panchayat functioning and land redistribution. Karnataka had undertaken significant devolution in 1983. Maharashtra had an active district planning system. These states provided positive examples that influenced the design of the 73rd Amendment.

Correct Answer: A. A list of 29 subjects that may be transferred to Panchayati Raj institutions

The 11th Schedule contains a list of 29 subjects that may be transferred to Panchayati Raj institutions by state legislatures. It was added to the Constitution by the 73rd Amendment in 1992. The subjects include agriculture, land improvement, animal husbandry, fisheries, rural housing, drinking water, health and sanitation, and social welfare. States are not mandated to devolve all 29 functions but the Schedule provides the constitutional framework for devolution.

Correct Answer: A. The intermediate tier at block level that coordinates between gram panchayats and the zila parishad

The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate tier at block level that coordinates between gram panchayats and the zila parishad in the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure. It was recommended by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee 1957 as the basic unit of democratic decentralization. The Panchayat Samiti covers a block consisting of several villages and performs development functions at the block level. It also supervises and coordinates the activities of gram panchayats under its jurisdiction.

Correct Answer: A. The highest tier at district level that coordinates rural development across the district

The Zila Parishad is the highest tier at district level that coordinates rural development across the district in the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure. It plans and supervises development activities, allocates resources to Panchayat Samitis, and coordinates with state government departments. The Ashok Mehta Committee 1978 recommended that Zila Parishad should be the executive body for development at the district level. Zila Parishad plays a key role in planning and implementation of rural development schemes.

Correct Answer: A. Composition is determined by state legislature by law on the basis of population

Under Article 243C, the composition of panchayats is determined by the state legislature by law on the basis of population. The article provides that seats shall be filled by direct election from territorial constituencies. The territorial constituencies are determined by the State Election Commission through delimitation of constituencies. The article also allows for representation of members of state legislature and Parliament whose constituencies include the panchayat area.