Three Tier PR Structure — Set 11

Correct Answer: C. C. Third tier - local level

Panchayati Raj institutions form the third tier of India's federal structure, after the Union Government (first tier) and State Governments (second tier). The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 formally recognized this three-tier federal structure by giving constitutional status to Panchayats. This makes India's governance structure a three-tier federation. Panchayats handle local affairs, states handle state matters, and the Union handles national affairs, with the 7th Schedule distributing powers among the three levels.

Correct Answer: B. B. Ministry of Rural Development

MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, not the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. However, Gram Panchayats are the key implementing agencies at the local level. They prepare labor budgets, plan works, execute employment guarantee works, and make wage payments. The Gram Sabha conducts mandatory Social Audits of MGNREGA. This scheme is one of the most important through which Gram Panchayats discharge their development function.

Correct Answer: B. B. Sub-unit of Gram Sabha meeting for individual wards

A Ward Sabha is a sub-unit of the Gram Sabha that consists of all voters registered in a particular ward of the Gram Panchayat. Some states have introduced Ward Sabhas to enable more localized participation at the ward level before decisions are taken at the Gram Sabha level. Ward Sabhas typically discuss ward-specific issues, identify local beneficiaries, and make recommendations to the Gram Panchayat. They enhance the participatory nature of local governance at an even more grassroots level.

Correct Answer: B. B. Lakshadweep and some others

Most Union Territories do not have Panchayati Raj institutions as the 73rd Amendment applies to states. However, some Union Territories like Lakshadweep (which has a Panchayati Raj system), Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu have established local governance systems. After the reorganization in 2019, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh became UTs; J&K has Panchayati Raj, while Ladakh has alternative Hill Council arrangements. Puducherry, with a legislature, has an elected local governance system.

Correct Answer: B. B. Pradhan

In Himachal Pradesh, the head of the Gram Panchayat is called Pradhan. Different states in India use different names for the head of the Gram Panchayat: Sarpanch in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab; Mukhiya in Bihar and Jharkhand; Pradhan in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh; Adhyaksha in Karnataka; and President in some other states. This nomenclature diversity reflects the diversity in India's Panchayati Raj laws across states.

Correct Answer: B. B. Managing primary schools and monitoring attendance

The Gram Panchayat plays an important role in education at the village level by managing primary schools, monitoring teacher attendance, maintaining school buildings, and implementing mid-day meal schemes. Under the RTE Act 2009, School Management Committees (SMC) linked with Gram Panchayats monitor school functioning. Gram Panchayats may also construct school buildings using MGNREGA funds. The Gram Sabha can discuss issues related to school quality, dropouts, and enrolment during its meetings.

Correct Answer: C. C. Sabhasad

In West Bengal, the elected member of the Gram Panchayat at the ward level is called Sabhasad. West Bengal has a unique terminology for its Panchayati Raj institutions: the village-level body is called Gram Panchayat (same as elsewhere), the intermediate tier is called Panchayat Samiti, and the district level body is called Zila Parishad. The head of Zila Parishad in West Bengal is called Sabhadhipati. West Bengal is known for relatively more devolved Panchayati Raj institutions.

Correct Answer: B. B. Financial tracking and reporting of Panchayat funds

The Gram Panchayat Darpan portal (now merged with e-Gram Swaraj) was used for financial tracking and reporting of Panchayat funds including grants from Finance Commission and other schemes. It helped bring transparency to Panchayat finances by providing public access to information about grants received, expenditure made, and works completed. The e-Gram Swaraj portal has now integrated these functions for unified Panchayat accounting and reporting.

Correct Answer: B. B. 10 states

The PESA Act 1996 (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) covers 10 states that have Fifth Schedule areas: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana (after bifurcation from Andhra Pradesh). These states must amend their Panchayati Raj Acts to conform with PESA provisions for tribal areas. The act covers approximately 10 crore tribal people living in these areas.

Correct Answer: B. B. Adequate representation of tribal communities

Under the PESA Act 1996, Gram Panchayats in Fifth Schedule (scheduled) areas must ensure adequate representation of scheduled tribes. The president of every Panchayat at all levels in scheduled areas shall be a member of a Scheduled Tribe. Every Gram Sabha in scheduled areas shall be competent to safeguard and preserve the traditions and customs of the people and their cultural identity. This ensures that tribal communities have adequate voice in local governance in these areas.