Panchayati Raj and Community Development (Part-III)

Total Questions: 40

21. Which one of the following was established as the first programme of community development? [68th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (b) National Extension Service
Solution:The Community Development Programme (CDP) was the first major rural development programme launched after independence in 1952. Core objective of this program was to bring community development. The three phases of community development were - National Extension Phase, Intensive Community Development Project Phase and Post-Intensive Development Phase.

It is worth mentioning here that the National Extension Service program was formulated in April 1953 and it was inaugurated in October, 1953. It was formed after the Indian government realized that the Community Development Programme, which was formed in 1952, could not be implemented all over India due to a shortage of funds.

22. At what level does a Panchayat Samiti operate a Panchayati Raj structure? [68th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (a) Block-level body
Solution:The correct answer is option (a) Block-level body. It is important to mention here that the 73 Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 provides for three-tier local self- government. at the village (gram panchayat), block(panchayat samiti) and district (zila parishad) level. Gram Panchayat at the village level. Block Panchayat or Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate level i.e. the block level. Zila Panchayat at the District level. Significantly, Panchayat Samiti is a rural local government (panchayat) body at the intermediate tehsil level in India.

23. A Panchayat Samiti at the block level is [48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008, Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (b) An administrative authority
Solution:Panchayat Samiti is the local Government body at the Block level. The Panchayat Samiti is a link between the Gram Panchayats and Zila Panchayat. It works as an administrative authority. The Panchayat Samiti collects all the prospective plans prepared at Gram Panchayat level and processes them for funding and implementation by evaluating them.

24. A Panchayat Samiti at the block level in India is only a/an [60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (d) Administrative Authority
Solution:The Panchayat Samiti at block level is an administrative body. The functions of Panchayat Samiti relate both to coordination and execution. Zila Parishad is a Supervisory and co-ordinating body.

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.

25. Chairman of a Zila Panchayat in Uttar Pradesh is elected: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

1. Directly by persons whose names appear in electoral rolls of the Kshetra Panchayats.

2. By the members of Zila Panchayat from among themselves.

3. By the SC/ST members of the Zila Panchayat from among themselves (if reserved for them).

4. The members of Zila Panchayat belonging to Backward Classes from among themselves (if reserved for them).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:According to Section 19 of the Uttar Pradesh Kshetra Panchayats and Zila Panchayat Act, 1961, “In every Zila Panchayat, the Chairman shall be elected by the elected members of the Zila Panchayat from amongst themselves. Section 19-A of this Act deals with the reservation of office of the Chairman of the Zila Panchayats for the persons belonging to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes.

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.

26. If the President of Zila Panchayat is suspended, what will happen? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) - 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) The members will elect President temporarily
Solution:According to the section 39(3) of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, if the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat, President of Janpad Panchayat or Zila Panchayat, as the case may be, is suspended under sub-section (1), the secretary or the Chief Executive Officer of the concerned Panchayat shall cause to be called a special meeting of the Panchayat immediately, but not later than fifteen days from the date of receipt of information from Prescribed authority, and the members shall elect from amongst themselves a person to hold the office of Sarpanch or President temporarily, as the case may be, and such officiating sarpanch or president shall perform all the duties and exercise all the powers of sarpanch or President, as the case may be, during the period for which such suspension continues.

27. Which of the following are the Standing Committees of Zila Panchayat in Madhya Pradesh? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

  1. General Administration Committee
  2. Agriculture Committee
  3. Education Committee

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3 are correct
Solution:The General Administration Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Education Committee are the Standing Committee of Zila Panchayat in Madhya Pradesh. Despite that it consists of communication and works committees and cooperation and Industries Committees. Zila Panchayat may create one or more of those committees in addition to five standing committees.

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.

28. What is not legal? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (d) A woman Sarpanch can nominate her husband to participate in the meeting of Gram Panchayat and Janpad Panchayat
Solution:A woman Sarpanch cannot nominate her husband to participate in the meeting of Gram Panchayat & Janpad Panchayat.

Reservation of Seats for Women

  • The Act provides for the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes).
  • Further, not less than one-third of the total number of offices of chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women.

29. The 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution provides - [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006 Ans. (d)]

Correct Answer: (d) making panchayat elections mandatory and equivalent to the polls of Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly
Solution:The 73rd Amendment makes Panchayat elections mandatory and provides for the formation of State Election Commission for such elections. These provisions have been given under Article 243-K. Thus, an attempt has been made to make Panchayat elections as fair as Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.

The salient features of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 are as follows:

  • Gram Sabha-The Act provides for a Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system.
  • Three-tier System-The Act provides for a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in every State.
  • Election of Chairperson and Members-The Act provides detailed provisions regarding the election of Chairperson and Members of Panchayats at every level.
  • Reservation of Seats-The Act makes provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, and OBCs in every Panchayat.
  • Duration of Panchayats-The Act provides for a five-year term of office to the Panchayat at every level from the date of its first meeting.
  • Disqualifications of Members of Panchayats-It details conditions regarding disqualifications of members of panchayats.
  • Powers and Functions-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.
  • Finances of Panchayats-The State Legislature may authorize a Panchayat to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees.
  • Audit of Accounts-The State Legislature may make provisions with respect to the maintenance of accounts by the Panchayats and the auditing of such accounts.
  • Application to Union Territories-The provisions of the Panchayats are applicable to the Union Territories. But, the President may direct that they would apply to a Union Territory subject to such exceptions and modifications as he/she may specify.

30. Which of the following is not true about local governance in India? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]

Correct Answer: (a) There is no separate category of local governance in the federal system of Indian Constitution.
Solution:Arrangement for local governance is made under Article 40, Part IX and Part IX-A. Hence, there are separate provisions for local governance in the Indian Constitution.

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.