Three Tier PR Structure — Set 5

Correct Answer: C. C. 2004

A separate Ministry of Panchayati Raj was created at the central level in 2004 during the UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Prior to this, Panchayati Raj was handled by the Ministry of Rural Development. The creation of a separate ministry reflected the government's commitment to strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions. The ministry formulates policies and schemes to empower Panchayati Raj institutions across India.

Correct Answer: B. B. Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies

The 11th Finance Commission (2000-2005) under A.M. Khusro was the first Finance Commission to make specific recommendations for grants to Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies as required under Articles 243I and 243Y of the Constitution. It recommended grants for maintenance of accounts and audit. Subsequent Finance Commissions have progressively increased devolution to local bodies, with the 15th Finance Commission making substantial grants to PRIs.

Correct Answer: B. B. Defence and foreign affairs

Defence and foreign affairs are not included in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution, as these are Union subjects under the 7th Schedule. The 11th Schedule lists 29 subjects for Panchayats which are all local and rural development-related subjects like agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, rural housing, drinking water, roads, education, health, and poverty alleviation. National security and international relations remain exclusively with the Union Government.

Correct Answer: C. C. LM Singhvi Committee

The LM Singhvi Committee (1986) recommended that elections to Panchayati Raj institutions should be held on a non-party basis, arguing this would free local governance from party politics. The committee believed merit-based governance would be better served without party affiliations. However, this recommendation was not adopted in most states, and political parties continue to influence Panchayat elections. The 73rd Amendment did not bar political party participation in Panchayat elections.

Correct Answer: B. B. Determined by state law

The quorum required for Gram Sabha meetings is determined by state law, as the Constitution allows states to prescribe the procedures for Gram Sabha meetings. Different states have different quorum requirements. Some states require 10% of the total registered voters, while others may specify a minimum number. The quorum is particularly important for Gram Sabha sessions that approve plans, budgets, and conduct social audits. Low quorum requirements help ensure Gram Sabha meetings can be conducted regularly.

Correct Answer: B. B. To participate in and oversee village governance

The primary purpose of the Gram Sabha is to ensure participatory democracy at the village level by giving all adult voters the right to directly participate in governance decisions. It approves annual plans, reviews budgets, identifies beneficiaries for government schemes, and monitors the work of the elected Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha is the most fundamental democratic institution where citizens participate directly in governance rather than only through elected representatives.

Correct Answer: B. B. 24 April 1993

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was passed by Parliament in December 1992 but came into force on 24 April 1993. This date is now celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day. The amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions for the first time by inserting Part IX (Articles 243-243O) and the 11th Schedule into the Constitution. It mandated elections, reservations, and the establishment of State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions.

Correct Answer: B. B. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

The three-tier Panchayati Raj system for India was proposed by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in its report submitted in 1957. The committee recommended Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. This became the model adopted by Rajasthan in 1959 and eventually enshrined in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment 1992. The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) had proposed a two-tier system instead.

Correct Answer: B. B. All registered village voters participate directly in governance

The Gram Sabha represents direct democracy at the village level because all adult voters registered in the Gram Panchayat area can participate directly in governance without intermediaries. Unlike representative democracy where citizens vote for representatives who then make decisions, in Gram Sabha all eligible voters can directly approve plans, identify beneficiaries, conduct social audits, and hold the Panchayat accountable. It is the closest India comes to Athenian-style direct democracy at scale.

Correct Answer: B. B. Mahatma Gandhi

The philosophy of Gram Swaraj (village self-rule) was propounded by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi envisioned a decentralized political system where each village would be a self-sufficient, self-governing republic. He believed that real democracy could only exist when the lowest unit — the village — had real power over its affairs. This philosophy inspired Article 40 of the Constitution (Directive Principle for organizing Panchayats) and ultimately the 73rd Amendment. The RGSA scheme is also named after this concept.