Panchayati Raj and Community Development (Part-I)

Total Questions: 60

41. The Panchayati Raj is included in the [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) State list
Solution:The decision to hold Panchayat elections under constitutional provisions is taken by the State Government. Article 243 K of the Constitution is related to Panchayat elections and all the decisions relating to Panchayat elections are taken by the state government.

As the third tier of the government in India, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) carry multifarious significance as can be seen as follows:

  • PRIs have given a practical shape to the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the States to organize and empower Village Panchayats.
  • PRIs have led to effective decentralization of power and authority by devolving some powers and responsibilities to the local level.
  • PRIs are a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroots democracy in India, as they transform representative democracy into a more participatory democracy.
  • PRIs have empowered local communities by directly involving them in the decision-making process for development and governance.
  • The provision of reservations for marginalized sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in PRIs has led to their greater political empowerment and representation.
  • PRIs have brought the process of governance closer to the people, making it more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
  • PRIs have improved the efficiency of public service delivery and the implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
  • PRIs have strengthened local self-governance and promoted a sense of ownership among the people towards developmental activities in their areas
  • The three-tier structure of PRis (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) has enabled better coordination between different levels of local governance.
  • PRIs have provided a platform for nurturing emerging rural leadership and enhancing their administrative and managerial capabilities.

42. The elections to Panchayats are to be held after – [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (b) Every five years
Solution:Article 243-E is related to the duration of Panchayats. Clause (1) provides that every Panchayat, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer. Clause (3) provides that the election shall be completed before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

As the third tier of the government in India, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) carry multifarious significance as can be seen as follows:

  • PRIs have given a practical shape to the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the States to organize and empower Village Panchayats.
  • PRIs have led to effective decentralization of power and authority by devolving some powers and responsibilities to the local level.
  • PRIs are a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroots democracy in India, as they transform representative democracy into a more participatory democracy.
  • PRIs have empowered local communities by directly involving them in the decision-making process for development and governance.
  • The provision of reservations for marginalized sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in PRIs has led to their greater political empowerment and representation.
  • PRIs have brought the process of governance closer to the people, making it more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
  • PRIs have improved the efficiency of public service delivery and the implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
  • PRIs have strengthened local self-governance and promoted a sense of ownership among the people towards developmental activities in their areas
  • The three-tier structure of PRis (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) has enabled better coordination between different levels of local governance.
  • PRIs have provided a platform for nurturing emerging rural leadership and enhancing their administrative and managerial capabilities.

43. Which one of the following is not concerned with the Panchayats? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (b) The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act.
Solution:All the given statements are related to Panchayats except the statements in option (b). Provisions related to Panchayat were inserted by 73rd Amendment of the Constitution, while 74th Amendment is related to Municipalities.

As the third tier of the government in India, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) carry multifarious significance as can be seen as follows:

  • PRIs have given a practical shape to the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the States to organize and empower Village Panchayats.
  • PRIs have led to effective decentralization of power and authority by devolving some powers and responsibilities to the local level.
  • PRIs are a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroots democracy in India, as they transform representative democracy into a more participatory democracy.
  • PRIs have empowered local communities by directly involving them in the decision-making process for development and governance.
  • The provision of reservations for marginalized sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in PRIs has led to their greater political empowerment and representation.
  • PRIs have brought the process of governance closer to the people, making it more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
  • PRIs have improved the efficiency of public service delivery and the implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
  • PRIs have strengthened local self-governance and promoted a sense of ownership among the people towards developmental activities in their areas
  • The three-tier structure of PRis (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) has enabled better coordination between different levels of local governance.
  • PRIs have provided a platform for nurturing emerging rural leadership and enhancing their administrative and managerial capabilities.

44. The first State to Implement 73rd Constitutional Amendment is- [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (a) Madhya Pradesh
Solution:The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which was implemented on 24th April, 1993, was a milestone in the journey of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Madhya Pradesh was the first State in the country which implemented the Panchayati Raj System in the true spirit of 73rd Amendment Act.

As the third tier of the government in India, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) carry multifarious significance as can be seen as follows:

  • PRIs have given a practical shape to the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the States to organize and empower Village Panchayats.
  • PRIs have led to effective decentralization of power and authority by devolving some powers and responsibilities to the local level.
  • PRIs are a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroots democracy in India, as they transform representative democracy into a more participatory democracy.
  • PRIs have empowered local communities by directly involving them in the decision-making process for development and governance.
  • The provision of reservations for marginalized sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in PRIs has led to their greater political empowerment and representation.
  • PRIs have brought the process of governance closer to the people, making it more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
  • PRIs have improved the efficiency of public service delivery and the implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
  • PRIs have strengthened local self-governance and promoted a sense of ownership among the people towards developmental activities in their areas
  • The three-tier structure of PRis (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) has enabled better coordination between different levels of local governance.
  • PRIs have provided a platform for nurturing emerging rural leadership and enhancing their administrative and managerial capabilities.

45. National Panchayati Raj Day in India is celebrated on [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (d) 24 April
Solution:National Panchayati Raj Day in India is celebrated every year on 24th of April. It was first celebrated in the year 2010.

As the third tier of the government in India, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) carry multifarious significance as can be seen as follows:

  • PRIs have given a practical shape to the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the States to organize and empower Village Panchayats.
  • PRIs have led to effective decentralization of power and authority by devolving some powers and responsibilities to the local level.
  • PRIs are a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroots democracy in India, as they transform representative democracy into a more participatory democracy.
  • PRIs have empowered local communities by directly involving them in the decision-making process for development and governance.
  • The provision of reservations for marginalized sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in PRIs has led to their greater political empowerment and representation.
  • PRIs have brought the process of governance closer to the people, making it more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
  • PRIs have improved the efficiency of public service delivery and the implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
  • PRIs have strengthened local self-governance and promoted a sense of ownership among the people towards developmental activities in their areas
  • The three-tier structure of PRis (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) has enabled better coordination between different levels of local governance.
  • PRIs have provided a platform for nurturing emerging rural leadership and enhancing their administrative and managerial capabilities.

46. In the new Panchayati Raj Bill enacted in 1992, there are several new provisions different from the previous one. Which one of the following is not one such provision? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (d) Regular remuneration to the panchayat members, so as to ensure their punctuality and accountability.
Solution:Regular remuneration is not one of the provisions made under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. Rest of the provisions, mentioned in the question are part of the Panchayati Raj Bill 1992.

As the third tier of the government in India, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) carry multifarious significance as can be seen as follows:

  • PRIs have given a practical shape to the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the States to organize and empower Village Panchayats.
  • PRIs have led to effective decentralization of power and authority by devolving some powers and responsibilities to the local level.
  • PRIs are a significant landmark in the evolution of grassroots democracy in India, as they transform representative democracy into a more participatory democracy.
  • PRIs have empowered local communities by directly involving them in the decision-making process for development and governance.
  • The provision of reservations for marginalized sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in PRIs has led to their greater political empowerment and representation.
  • PRIs have brought the process of governance closer to the people, making it more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
  • PRIs have improved the efficiency of public service delivery and the implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
  • PRIs have strengthened local self-governance and promoted a sense of ownership among the people towards developmental activities in their areas
  • The three-tier structure of PRis (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) has enabled better coordination between different levels of local governance.
  • PRIs have provided a platform for nurturing emerging rural leadership and enhancing their administrative and managerial capabilities.

47. Assertion (A) : Reservation in the Office of Pradhans, Pramukhs and Adhyakshas in Panchayats for women including SCs, STs and OBCs has brought about a distinct change in their working. Reason (R) : Women of the rural areas were demanding this reservation for a long time. [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (c) A is true but (R) is false.
Solution:The local self-government in India has been formalized under the Panchayati-raj system by 73rd Amendment in 1992. According to Article 243-D Clause (2) "not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved under clause (1) shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes. According to Clause (3), Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of a total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women. In Indian scenario, the reservation of seats for women in village local self-government is not a result of any demand.

48. With reference to the reservation of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, which of the following statements is/are correct? [U.P. RO/ARO 2017]

1. It is provided for in Article 243 D(3) of the Indian Constitution.

2. The reservation shall cease to have effect on the expiration of the period specified in Article 334.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Article 243D deals with the reservation of seats in Panchayats. According to Article 243D(3), "Not less than one third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the scheduled caste and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat. Article 334 deals with the reservation of seats in the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies and not with Panchayati Raj.

49. Which one of the following was not proposed by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in context to Panchayati Raj? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (e) (a) and (c)
Solution:There are two options (a and c) in the question which were not proposed by 73rd Amendment. Reservation of seats for women is 1/3 of the total seats, not 30 percent and there is no such condition that an elected functionary will be disqualified to hold his office if he has more than two children.
  • The 73rd Amendment Act's primary goal was to democratically decentralise authority and resources from the centre to locally elected officials in order to increase citizen participation in governance.
  • Its goal relates to Article 40 of the constitution, which calls for the state to set up village panchayats and give them the requisite authority and powers to function as self-governing entities.
  • Through this amendment, the constitution gained the 11th schedule, which listed 29 Panchayat-related topics.
  • Additionally, Part IX, which included provisions from Articles 243 to 243 0, was introduced to the Constitution by this measure.
  • The state governments were now required by this modification to implement the new Panchayati Raj system in conformity with the act's stipulations.

50. Under which of the following Constitutional Amendments, 30% seats in the village panchayats have been reserved for women in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) 73rd Amendment
Solution:There are two options (a and c) in the question which were not proposed by 73rd Amendment. Reservation of seats for women is 1/3 of the total seats, not 30 percent and there is no such condition that an elected functionary will be disqualified to hold his office if he has more than two children.
  • The 73rd Amendment Act's primary goal was to democratically decentralise authority and resources from the centre to locally elected officials in order to increase citizen participation in governance.
  • Its goal relates to Article 40 of the constitution, which calls for the state to set up village panchayats and give them the requisite authority and powers to function as self-governing entities.
  • Through this amendment, the constitution gained the 11th schedule, which listed 29 Panchayat-related topics.
  • Additionally, Part IX, which included provisions from Articles 243 to 243 0, was introduced to the Constitution by this measure.
  • The state governments were now required by this modification to implement the new Panchayati Raj system in conformity with the act's stipulations.