Three Tier PR Structure — Set 15

Correct Answer: C. C. Article 243I

The State Finance Commission is mentioned under Article 243I of the Constitution. This article requires the Governor to constitute a Finance Commission every five years to review the financial position of Panchayats and to make recommendations as to the principles governing the distribution of taxes between the state and Panchayats, and the grants-in-aid to Panchayats. The first SFC must be constituted within one year of the 73rd Amendment coming into force.

Correct Answer: B. B. Gram Panchayat maintains village-level birth and death registers

The Gram Panchayat is responsible for maintaining village-level birth and death registers and facilitating registration under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969. The Gram Panchayat secretary or a designated official records births and deaths in the village. This registration is essential for issuing birth and death certificates, which are needed for school admissions, government benefits, inheritance, and other legal purposes. Gram Panchayats coordinate with the District Registrar for this function.

Correct Answer: B. B. Participatory bottom-up planning and implementation

The Panchayati Raj system ensures rural development through a participatory bottom-up approach where local communities participate in identifying needs, planning, implementing, and monitoring development activities. Through Gram Sabha meetings and GPDP preparation, villages articulate their own development priorities. This decentralized approach is more responsive to local needs than top-down planning. The 73rd Amendment was specifically designed to empower Panchayats to lead local development rather than just implementing schemes designed elsewhere.

Correct Answer: B. B. Entry 5

Panchayati Raj is listed in Entry 5 of the State List (List II) of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution. This means the state legislature has exclusive power to make laws on Panchayati Raj. The central government can provide policy guidance and financial assistance but cannot directly legislate on Panchayati Raj operations. This is why India has diverse Panchayati Raj laws across states. The 73rd Amendment provided a constitutional framework within which states must enact their own laws.

Correct Answer: C. C. State Legislature or designated authority

The delimitation (division into constituencies/wards) for Panchayat elections is carried out by the State Legislature or an authority designated by the state legislature, not the State Election Commission. The State Election Commission conducts elections based on the existing delimitation but does not delimit constituencies itself. Courts are barred from questioning the delimitation under Article 243O. The State government typically carries out delimitation after each census.

Correct Answer: B. B. A technical support person employed at the Gram Panchayat level for MGNREGA

The Gram Panchayat Rozgar Sahayak (GPRS), also called Rozgar Sahayak or Gram Rozgar Sahayak, is a technical support person employed at the Gram Panchayat level specifically for implementing MGNREGA. The GPRS helps maintain muster rolls, prepare labor budgets, process job card applications, and ensure timely wage payments under MGNREGA. This position was created to strengthen Gram Panchayat's capacity to implement the employment guarantee scheme effectively.

Correct Answer: B. B. Variable, typically 15-20 or more

The number of Gram Panchayats that make up a Panchayat Samiti (block-level Panchayat) varies across states and blocks. Typically, a Panchayat Samiti covers 15-20 or more Gram Panchayats, depending on the size of the block and the number of villages. There is no fixed national number. Some blocks may have fewer than 15 Gram Panchayats while others might have 25 or more. The composition is determined by state legislation and block demarcation.

Correct Answer: B. B. Tied: purpose-specific; Untied: Panchayat decides how to use

Tied grants are purpose-specific financial transfers to Panchayats that must be spent only for designated purposes (like sanitation, drinking water, or school buildings). Untied grants allow Panchayats to use the money flexibly based on local priorities. The 15th Finance Commission provides both tied grants (for sanitation and drinking water) and untied grants to Gram Panchayats. Untied grants are more empowering as they give Panchayats genuine fiscal autonomy to address locally identified needs.

Correct Answer: B. B. Consolidating block-level plans and coordinating resources

The Panchayat Samiti (intermediate tier) plays an important role in development planning by consolidating plans from Gram Panchayats in its jurisdiction and coordinating block-level development activities. It allocates resources among Gram Panchayats, monitors implementation, and interfaces between the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad. The Panchayat Samiti also implements schemes that require block-level coordination, such as veterinary services, agriculture extension, and secondary school maintenance.

Correct Answer: B. B. Kerala

Kerala is widely recognized for having one of the most innovative and successful Panchayati Raj systems in India. The Kerala model is characterized by massive devolution of functions, funds, and functionaries; the People's Planning Campaign (1996) which transferred 35-40% of state plan funds to local bodies; active Gram Sabha participation; and strong accountability mechanisms. Kerala's success in areas like health, education, and poverty reduction has been attributed partly to effective Panchayati Raj. It is studied as a model nationally and internationally.