Panchayati Raj and Community Development (Part-III)

Total Questions: 40

1. Ashok Mehta Committee recommended - [53rd to 55ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (b) Two-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
Solution:Ashoke Mehta committee was constituted in 1977, which submitted its report in August 1978. The committee in its report had recommended for 'two tier' system in place of 'three tier' system. The two-tier system or model was - Zila Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayat at the Mandal level which was consisted of a group of villages covering a population of 15000 to 20000.

The committee of Ashok Mehta suggested

  • Reservation for the seats based on the weaker section
  • Keep two seats always for women
  • Adequate all the financial resources for panchayats
  • Requirement for the constitutional sector
  • Motivate people and extend them for development of all the activities and their participation also motivates others
  • Three-tier system replaced in two-tier system
  • The district first gets preference which all have in under supervision before then the state
  • Create more responsible aspects and proper planning by Zilla Parishad for district
  • Panchayat raj will provide all the financial resources that have been needed for the panchayat election
  • Development functions all should be handed over on the Zilla Parishad to control and increase the development of the district
  • Seats for ST and SC should be reserved based on the population

2. With reference to the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) on Panchayati Raj, which of the following statement/s is/are correct? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2023]

(1) The three tier system of Panchayati Raj should be replaced by the two tier system.

(2) A block should be the first point for decentralization under popular supervision below the state level.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (b) Only (1)
Solution:In 1977, the Ashok Mehta Committee was established and put forth recommendations was made for the Panchayati Raj system in 1978. One of the key suggestions was the establishment of a two - tier system to replace the existing three-tier Panchayat system. However this recommendation was not implemented. It recommended that a district (not a block) should be the first point for decentralisation under popular supervision below the state level. Option (b) is correct answer. Statement (1) is correct and Statement (2) is not correct.

3. Which one of the following Committees/Commissions recommended the creation of Nyaya Panchayats? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) Ashok Mehta Committee
Solution:Ashok Mehta Committee recommended the creation of Nyaya Panchayats. Ashok Mehta Committee submitted it's report in 1978. The committee recommended two tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

The committee of Ashok Mehta suggested

  • Reservation for the seats based on the weaker section
  • Keep two seats always for women
  • Adequate all the financial resources for panchayats
  • Requirement for the constitutional sector
  • Motivate people and extend them for development of all the activities and their participation also motivates others
  • Three-tier system replaced in two-tier system
  • The district first gets preference which all have in under supervision before then the state
  • Create more responsible aspects and proper planning by Zilla Parishad for district
  • Panchayat raj will provide all the financial resources that have been needed for the panchayat election
  • Development functions all should be handed over on the Zilla Parishad to control and increase the development of the district
  • Seats for ST and SC should be reserved based on the population

4. Which one of the following Committees/Commissions recommended the creation of Nyaya Panchayats? [63rd B. P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (b) Ashok Mehta Committee
Solution:Ashok Mehta Committee 1977 recommended the Creation of Nyaya Panchayats. The Committee recommended that Nyaya Panchayats should be kept as separate bodies and should not be mixed with the people elected for the development of Panchayats. The Committee was in favour of a combination of a qualified Judge to preside over a bench of separately elected Nyaya Panches. The elected Nyaya Panches will not be entitled to seek re-election, they should serve in an area other than that from which they have been elected.

5. Which of the following Committees recommended to give Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (a) L.M. Singhvi Committee
Solution:L.M. Singhvi Committee was constituted in 1986 to give suggestions in favour of Panchayati Raj. This Committee had recommended that the local-self government should be Constitutionally recognized, protected and preserved by the Constitution, and had also recommended the non-involvement of political parties in Panchayat elections.

Some important committees, which recommended Local Self-Governments, are given below:

  • Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): This committee recommended the establishment of PRIs at the village, intermediate, and district levels. It also recommended that PRis be given financial resources and powers to decide on local issues.
  • Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): This committee recommended that PRIs be given more powers and resources and that they be made responsible for planning and implementing development projects at the local level.
  • G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985): This committee recommended that PRIs be given greater autonomy and that they be made accountable to the people they serve.
  • It also suggested that PRis be given the power to levy taxes and fees.
  • L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): The L.M. Singhvi committee recommended the need for constitutional recognition and legal framework for Panchayat Raj Institution and urban local bodies to strengthen the local self-governance in India.
  • P.K. Thungon Committee (1989): It recommended constitutional recognition for the local government bodies.
  • Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007): The principle of Subsidiary should be upheld, and there should be a clear delineation of functions for each level of local government.

6. The Committee which recommended that the Panchayati Raj Institutions should be Constitutionally recognised was [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (c) L.M. Singhvi Committee
Solution:L.M. Singhvi Committee was constituted in 1986 to give suggestions in favour of Panchayati Raj. This Committee had recommended that the local-self government should be Constitutionally recognized, protected and preserved by the Constitution, and had also recommended the non-involvement of political parties in Panchayat elections.

Some important committees, which recommended Local Self-Governments, are given below:

  • Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): This committee recommended the establishment of PRIs at the village, intermediate, and district levels. It also recommended that PRis be given financial resources and powers to decide on local issues.
  • Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): This committee recommended that PRIs be given more powers and resources and that they be made responsible for planning and implementing development projects at the local level.
  • G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985): This committee recommended that PRIs be given greater autonomy and that they be made accountable to the people they serve.
  • It also suggested that PRis be given the power to levy taxes and fees.
  • L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): The L.M. Singhvi committee recommended the need for constitutional recognition and legal framework for Panchayat Raj Institution and urban local bodies to strengthen the local self-governance in India.
  • P.K. Thungon Committee (1989): It recommended constitutional recognition for the local government bodies.
  • Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007): The principle of Subsidiary should be upheld, and there should be a clear delineation of functions for each level of local government.

7. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

List-IList-II
(A) Rationalisation of Panchayat StatisticsV.R. Rao
(B) Panchayat Raj TrainingA.S. Trivedi
(C) Working Group on Panchayats  and Co-operativeS.D. Mishra
(D) Administrative Arrangement for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation ProgrammesG.V.K. Rao
Correct Answer: (a) (A), (C) and (D)
Solution:The correct match is following -
List-IList-II
Rationalisation of Panchayat StatisticsV.R. Rao
Panchayat Raj TrainingA.S. Trivedi
Working Group on Panchayats  and Co-operativeS.D. Mishra
Administrative Arrangement for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation ProgrammesG.K. V. Rao

8. Which part of our Constitution envisages a three-tier system of Panchayats? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013, R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre. Exam) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Part IX
Solution:Part IX of the Constitution provides for a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in every State, (but Panchayats at intermediate level may not be Constituted in a state having a population not exceeding twenty lakh) i.e., Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district level. Article 243-B provides for this three-tier system.

India has a federal system of government in which powers are divided between the central government and the states and union territories. The Constitution of India defines the structure of local self-government in the country through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which were passed in 1992. These amendments created two new governance structures: the Panchayats (for rural areas) and the Municipalities (for urban areas).
The Panchayati Raj system was first established in India in the 1950s, but it was only with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 that it was given constitutional recognition and a formal structure. The Act defines the Panchayati Raj system as a "three-tier system" consisting of
Village Panchayats: The lowest level of local government, responsible for village-level administration and development.
Intermediate Panchayats: Intermediate level of local government, typically responsible for a group of villages.
District Panchayats: The highest level of rural local government, responsible for district-level administration and development.

9. The Three-tier system of Panchayati Raj consists of – [45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (d) Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad
Solution:The Three-tier Panchayati Raj System consists of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti (Block Panchayat) and Zila Parishad.

India has a federal system of government in which powers are divided between the central government and the states and union territories. The Constitution of India defines the structure of local self-government in the country through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which were passed in 1992. These amendments created two new governance structures: the Panchayats (for rural areas) and the Municipalities (for urban areas).
The Panchayati Raj system was first established in India in the 1950s, but it was only with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 that it was given constitutional recognition and a formal structure. The Act defines the Panchayati Raj system as a "three-tier system" consisting of
Village Panchayats: The lowest level of local government, responsible for village-level administration and development.
Intermediate Panchayats: Intermediate level of local government, typically responsible for a group of villages.
District Panchayats: The highest level of rural local government, responsible for district-level administration and development.

10. Which of the following was constituted under the Panchayati Raj system? [65th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (c) Gram Panchayat
Solution:Gram Panchayat consists of a village or a group of villages divided into smaller units called "Wards". Each ward selects or elects a representative who is known as the Panch or ward member. The members of the Gram Sabha elect the ward members through the direct election. The Sarpanch or the President of the Gram Panchayat is elected by the Ward members as per the state Act. The Sarpanch and the panch are elected for a year of five years.