Panchayati Raj and Community Development (Part-II)

Total Questions: 60

21. What is the main characteristic of Panchayati Raj System of Government? [38th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (d) All of these are true.
Solution:Panchayati Raj is a system of local self-government with a three-tier system—Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. The Panchayati Raj System is aimed at achieving the goal of economic development and social justice.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) aim to enhance local governance and empower rural communities in India. Their objectives include:
• To Decentralize Power – Transfer decision-making authority to the grassroots level to promote local self-governance.
• To Encourage Inclusive Participation – Foster engagement of local populations in governance, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes.
• To Empower Marginalized Groups – Ensure political representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women by reserving seats for them in local governance.
• To Improve Service Delivery – Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery and development programs by making governance more accessible.
• To Promote Economic Development – Facilitate local economic growth through community-driven planning and implementation of development initiatives.
• To Address Social Justice – Tailor welfare schemes and development projects to meet the specific needs of local communities, promoting equity.
• To Enhance Transparency and Accountability – Increase transparency and accountability in governance by involving local communities in oversight of public works and services.
• To Nurture Local Leadership – Develop local leaders by empowering them with administrative and managerial roles in governance.
• To Mobilize Community Resources – Encourage the collective use of community resources for development, fostering self-reliance.
• To Strengthen Grassroots Democracy – Transform representative democracy into a more participatory form, aligning governance with the aspirations of the local populace.

22. Which one of the following statements regarding Panchayati Raj is not correct? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Correct Answer: (b) 73rd Amendment came into effect on 15th August, 1993.
Solution:

All the given statements are true except statement (b) regarding the Panchayati Raj System. The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution gives Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj, and it came into force on 24 April, 1993. Article 243-G is related to the power, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats and adds to its importance. The main object of the Panchayati Raj is to enable the public to participate and be a part of the developmental administration.

23. What is the main purpose of Panchayati Raj? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (d) To enable people to participate in developmental administration
Solution:All the given statements are true except statement (b) regarding the Panchayati Raj System. The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution gives Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj, and it came into force on 24 April, 1993. Article 243-G is related to the power, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats and adds to its importance. The main object of the Panchayati Raj is to enable the public to participate and be a part of the developmental administration.

24. For successful functioning, Panchayati Raj needs full cooperation of: [42nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (a) Local Public
Solution:Full cooperation of the local public is required for Panchayati Raj to work properly. The goal of this system cannot be achieved without the support and participation of the local public.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) aim to enhance local governance and empower rural communities in India. Their objectives include:
• To Decentralize Power – Transfer decision-making authority to the grassroots level to promote local self-governance.
• To Encourage Inclusive Participation – Foster engagement of local populations in governance, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes.
• To Empower Marginalized Groups – Ensure political representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women by reserving seats for them in local governance.
• To Improve Service Delivery – Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery and development programs by making governance more accessible.
• To Promote Economic Development – Facilitate local economic growth through community-driven planning and implementation of development initiatives.
• To Address Social Justice – Tailor welfare schemes and development projects to meet the specific needs of local communities, promoting equity.
• To Enhance Transparency and Accountability – Increase transparency and accountability in governance by involving local communities in oversight of public works and services.
• To Nurture Local Leadership – Develop local leaders by empowering them with administrative and managerial roles in governance.
• To Mobilize Community Resources – Encourage the collective use of community resources for development, fostering self-reliance.
• To Strengthen Grassroots Democracy – Transform representative democracy into a more participatory form, aligning governance with the aspirations of the local populace.

25. Panchayati Raj in India represents [44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2009]

Correct Answer: (d) All of these
Solution:The Panchayati Raj System is established for the full advancement and development of villagers. Panchayati Raj represents the decentralization of democratic power, community development, and participation of people.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) aim to enhance local governance and empower rural communities in India. Their objectives include:
• To Decentralize Power – Transfer decision-making authority to the grassroots level to promote local self-governance.
• To Encourage Inclusive Participation – Foster engagement of local populations in governance, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes.
• To Empower Marginalized Groups – Ensure political representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women by reserving seats for them in local governance.
• To Improve Service Delivery – Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery and development programs by making governance more accessible.
• To Promote Economic Development – Facilitate local economic growth through community-driven planning and implementation of development initiatives.
• To Address Social Justice – Tailor welfare schemes and development projects to meet the specific needs of local communities, promoting equity.
• To Enhance Transparency and Accountability – Increase transparency and accountability in governance by involving local communities in oversight of public works and services.
• To Nurture Local Leadership – Develop local leaders by empowering them with administrative and managerial roles in governance.
• To Mobilize Community Resources – Encourage the collective use of community resources for development, fostering self-reliance.
• To Strengthen Grassroots Democracy – Transform representative democracy into a more participatory form, aligning governance with the aspirations of the local populace.

26. Consider the following statements: [68th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

n the post-73rd Amendment era, there has to be decentralization of:

  1. decision-making powers
  2. system as a whole
  3. judicial powers
  4. administrative powers

Which of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Solution:On 24 April 1993, the Constitution 73rd (C Amendment) Act 1992 became effective. It is worth mentioning that it was passed in 1992. The Act gave state governments the authority to take the required actions to formalize Gram Panchayats and enable them to function as self-governing entities.

The 73rd Amendment Act was introduced by the central government of India in 1992 to solve these problems and enhance local self-governments. Part IX: 'The Panchayats' is a new chapter that was added to the Constitution as a result of this Amendment Act.

In this act, judicial power was not decentralized. The 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts provide a basic framework of the decentralization of powers and authorities to the Panchayati Raj/Municipal bodies at different levels. However, responsibility for giving it a practical shape rests with the states. States are expected to act in accordance with the spirit of the Acts to establish a strong and viable system of Local Self-Government.

27. Which one of the following is not the characteristic of decentralization? [66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (c) To instill non-confidence among local communities
Solution:Decentralization means delegating authority to make decisions to the lowest possible organizational hierarchy level. Under decentralization, an organization's central unit distributes functions, responsibility, and accountability to regional and local units. Thus, decentralization marks an extension of the process of delegation. Thus, the autonomy of regional or local units, People's Participation, and empowering local communities is the characteristic of decentralization, while instilling non-confidence among local communities is not a characteristic of decentralization.

28. Consider the following statements - [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

Assertion (A): Political interference in the management of rural matters is now decreased at the local level.
Reason (R): The Rural local governance institutions have been rejuvenated by the 73rd amendment to Constitution.

Select the correct answer using code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Solution:The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution has rejuvenated the local governance institutions in rural areas and reduced the interference of politics in its management. Thus, both statements are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) refer to the system of ‘Rural Local Self-Governance’ in India i.e. a system of governance of Rural Areas through the representatives elected by the people.
• They have been established in all States as the third tier of government, aiming to build democracy at the grassroots level.
• This system ensures that local populations participate directly in the decision-making process, enhancing the effectiveness and accountability of rural development initiatives.

29. State Government has no authority over local bodies in relation to which one of the following matters? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (a) Citizen’s Complaints
Solution:The State Government has no authority over local bodies on matters relating to citizen’s complaints.

• The State Legislature may endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government.
• State’s provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats at the appropriate level may contain:
○ the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice,
○ the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them, including those in relation to the 29 matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

30. The State Government controls over urban local bodies: [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(A) in legislative matters
(B) in financial matters
(C) in personnel matters
(D) in respect of citizens' grievances

Select the correct answer from the codes given below—

Correct Answer: (d) (A), (B) and (C)
Solution:The State Government has no authority over local bodies on matters relating to citizen’s complaints.

• The State Legislature may endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government.
• State’s provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats at the appropriate level may contain:
○ the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice,
○ the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them, including those in relation to the 29 matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.