PR Committees & Balwantrai — Set 9

Correct Answer: A. Andhra Pradesh in 1959 was the second state to implement Panchayati Raj after Rajasthan and developed an extensive three-tier system

Andhra Pradesh in 1959 was the second state to implement Panchayati Raj after Rajasthan and developed an extensive three-tier system. Andhra Pradesh was an early adopter of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommendations. The state developed a structure of Gram Panchayat, Mandal Parishad, and Zila Parishad. Andhra Pradesh later also served as a model for implementing MGNREGA effectively. Its long experience with Panchayati Raj made it an important reference point for other states.

Correct Answer: A. If a panchayat is dissolved elections must be held within six months to reconstitute it as per Article 243E

Article 243E provides that if a panchayat is dissolved elections must be held within six months to reconstitute it. A newly constituted panchayat after premature dissolution holds office only for the remainder of the original five-year term. This constitutional protection prevents state governments from suspending panchayat democracy indefinitely. Before the 73rd Amendment states could and did keep panchayats in suspended state for many years without elections, which the constitutional amendment was specifically designed to prevent.

Correct Answer: A. Lack of regular elections, no devolution of powers and funds, no reservation for marginalized groups, bureaucratic dominance

Panchayati Raj institutions failed in the pre-73rd Amendment era mainly due to lack of regular elections (with many states not holding elections for years), no meaningful devolution of powers and funds from state governments, absence of mandatory reservation for marginalized groups, and dominance by state bureaucracy bypassing elected panchayats. GVK Rao Committee described them as 'bodies without life'. The 73rd Amendment specifically addressed these failings through constitutional mandates for elections, devolution, and reservation.

Correct Answer: A. Kerala's People's Campaign 1996-2001 devolved 35-40% of state plan funds to panchayats for local development

Kerala's People's Campaign for Decentralized Planning (1996-2001) devolved 35-40% of state plan funds to local self-government institutions including panchayats for local development planning. This was one of the most extensive decentralization exercises in the world. Gram Sabhas were held to identify local needs and prepare plans. The Kerala experiment demonstrated that participatory planning through panchayats could effectively address local development needs and became a model for other states.

Correct Answer: A. Ministry of Panchayati Raj oversees policy, programmes, and capacity building for panchayats across India

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj oversees policy, programmes, and capacity building for panchayats across India. It coordinates with state governments on Panchayati Raj Act amendments, provides technical assistance, and implements capacity building programs for elected representatives. The Ministry manages programs like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan and e-Gram Swaraj. It also administers grants to panchayats through central schemes and coordinates Finance Commission grants. The Ministry was specifically created to focus on strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions.

Correct Answer: A. West Bengal with its four-tier structure including Gram Sansad below Gram Panchayat

West Bengal has a unique four-tier Panchayati Raj structure that includes Gram Sansad (below the Gram Panchayat), Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. The Gram Sansad is a sub-panchayat unit at the village level. Most other states follow the standard three-tier structure of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad as recommended by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee. West Bengal's extended structure provides a more granular level of democratic participation.

Correct Answer: A. BRGF provides additional funds to gram panchayats in backward districts to fill infrastructure and development gaps

The Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) provides additional funds to gram panchayats in backward districts to fill infrastructure and development gaps that regular plan funds cannot address. BRGF was designed to strengthen panchayats in lagging regions. Funds flow through District Planning Committees to panchayats based on local plans. The scheme required panchayats to prepare development plans which built their planning capacity. BRGF has been restructured into the National Development Agenda under various central schemes.

Correct Answer: A. Gram Sabha is the body of all voters in the panchayat area while Gram Panchayat is the elected executive body

The Gram Sabha is the body of all voters registered in the panchayat area (a democratic assembly of all adults) while the Gram Panchayat is the elected executive body consisting of elected ward members and the Sarpanch. The Gram Sabha is the legislative body of the village democracy that reviews and approves plans, accounts, and beneficiary lists. The Gram Panchayat is the executive body that implements decisions and manages day-to-day functions. Gram Sabha meets periodically while Gram Panchayat functions continuously.

Correct Answer: A. Intermediate panchayats do not conduct elections as elections are conducted by the State Election Commission

Intermediate panchayats or Panchayat Samitis do not conduct elections as all panchayat elections are conducted by the State Election Commission under Article 243K. The SEC is an independent constitutional body responsible for superintendence and control of elections to all tiers of panchayats. The Panchayat Samiti is itself an elected body whose members and president are chosen through elections managed by the SEC. This separation ensures independence of elections from the bodies being constituted through elections.

Correct Answer: A. Bottom-up planning where gram panchayats identify local needs and prepare plans that aggregate to higher levels

Planning from below is a development concept associated with the approach of bottom-up planning where gram panchayats identify local needs and prepare plans that aggregate to higher levels. The Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) embodies this approach. Kerala's People's Campaign was the most successful implementation of bottom-up planning through panchayats. The 73rd Amendment's mandate for panchayats to prepare plans for economic development reflects this philosophy of decentralized participatory planning as opposed to centralized top-down planning.