Three Tier PR Structure — Set 7

Correct Answer: B. B. Community Development Programme and National Extension Service

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was set up in 1956 to examine the functioning of the Community Development Programme (launched in 1952) and the National Extension Service. The committee found that the programmes lacked popular participation and recommended democratic decentralization through the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. It emphasized that without local democratic institutions, rural development programmes would not succeed. This led to the adoption of Panchayati Raj starting with Rajasthan in 1959.

Correct Answer: C. C. 29

The 11th Schedule of the Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment Act 1992, lists 29 subjects for Panchayats. These cover agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, food processing, rural housing, drinking water, fuel and fodder, roads, rural electrification, education, health, women and child development, social welfare, public distribution system, and maintenance of community assets. Transfer of these subjects to Panchayats depends on state legislation.

Correct Answer: B. B. State Finance Commission

In the context of Panchayati Raj, SFC stands for State Finance Commission. The State Finance Commission is constituted every five years under Article 243I of the Constitution. It reviews the financial position of Panchayats and recommends the distribution of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees between the state and Panchayats. The SFC also recommends grants-in-aid to Panchayats from the Consolidated Fund of the State and measures to improve their financial position.

Correct Answer: B. B. Three

The three-tier Panchayati Raj system consists of three levels: (1) Gram Panchayat at the village level (basic unit), (2) Panchayat Samiti or intermediate Panchayat at the block level, and (3) Zila Parishad at the district level. This structure was recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) and was given constitutional backing by the 73rd Amendment Act 1992. States with populations below 20 lakh may not constitute the intermediate tier.

Correct Answer: B. B. Nyayadhikari (equivalent to First Class Judicial Magistrate)

The Gram Nyayalaya (village court) established under the Gram Nyayalaya Act 2008 is presided over by a Nyayadhikari (judicial officer) who is of the rank of a First Class Judicial Magistrate. The Nyayadhikari is appointed by the state government after consultation with the respective High Court. The Gram Nyayalaya is a mobile court that moves to the Gram Panchayat level to hear cases. It handles civil and criminal cases of minor nature to provide speedy justice to rural people.

Correct Answer: B. B. Discretionary - left to state governments

The Constitution does not mandate reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayati Raj institutions. The Supreme Court in the Vikas Kishanrao Gawali case (2021) upheld states' right to provide OBC reservation but laid down conditions: a commission must study OBC backwardness, reservation must not exceed 50% overall, and no reservation without data. This discretionary approach allows states to decide based on local socio-political conditions. Many states do provide OBC reservation in Panchayats.

Correct Answer: B. B. Gram Panchayats

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) at the rural level is implemented primarily through Gram Panchayats. Gram Panchayats receive funds under the scheme to construct household toilets, community toilets, and implement solid and liquid waste management. They are also responsible for behavior change communication activities. The Gram Sabha plays a key role in monitoring the implementation and ensuring open defecation free status. This makes Gram Panchayats central to India's rural sanitation goals.

Correct Answer: B. B. Supervising fair price shops and identifying beneficiaries

The Gram Panchayat plays a role in the Public Distribution System by supervising the functioning of fair price shops within its jurisdiction and identifying eligible beneficiaries under schemes like NFSA (National Food Security Act). The Gram Sabha is involved in identifying BPL households and other eligible beneficiaries for subsidized food grains. Gram Panchayats also help resolve grievances related to PDS. Their involvement helps reduce leakages and ensure food security at the grassroots level.

Correct Answer: C. C. Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is the rural counterpart to urban schemes for local governance strengthening. Just as AMRUT focuses on urban areas, RGSA focuses on strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions. RGSA was launched to build capacities of elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs, promote e-governance, and help weak Panchayats become more effective. It supports all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in India. MGNREGA is an employment guarantee scheme and PM Gram Sadak Yojana focuses on rural roads.

Correct Answer: B. B. Governor of the State

The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the respective state under Article 243K of the Constitution. The Governor makes this appointment after considering the advice of the Council of Ministers, but the tenure and service conditions of the Commissioner are constitutionally protected. The State Election Commissioner can only be removed through a process similar to the removal of a High Court judge. This constitutional protection ensures independence of the SEC.