Panchayati Raj & Public Policy

Total Questions: 34

1. Which one of the following is incorrect in respect of Local Government in India? [1995]

(a) According to the Indian Constitution, local government is not an independent tier in the federal system
(b) 30% of the seats in local bodies are reserved for women
(c) Local government finances are to be provided by a Commission
(d) Elections to local bodies are to be determined by a Commission

Correct Answer: (b) 30% of the seats in local bodies are reserved for women

Solution:According to 73rd Amendment Act 1993, under Article 243D, not less than 1/3rd i.e. 33% seats should be reserved for women in local bodies.

Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) is a system of rural local self-government in India. Local Self Government is the management of local affairs by such local bodies who have been elected by the local people. PRI was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.

2. What is the system of governance in the Panchayati Raj set up? [1996]

(a) Single tier structure of local self government at the village level.
(b) Two tier system of local self government at the village and block levels
(c) Three tier structure of local self government at the village, block and district levels
(d) Four tier system of local self government at the village block, district and in the state levels

Correct Answer: (c) Three tier structure of local self government at the village, block and district levels

Solution:According to 73rd Amendment Act, three-tier system of Panchayats exists: Village level, District Panchayat at the district level, the intermediate Panchayat which stands between the village and District Panchayats in the States where the population is above 20 Lakhs.

3. Panchayat Raj was first introduced in India in October, 1959 in: [1998]

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Kerala
(d) Karnataka

Correct Answer: (a) Rajasthan

Solution:Panchayati Raj System was first introduced in Nagaur district of Rajasthan on October 2, 1959 followed by Andhra Pradesh in 1959.

4. In the new Panchayati Raj Bill enacted in 1993, there are several fresh provisions deviating from the past. Which one of the following is not one such provisions? [1999]

(a) A number of added responsibilities in the area of agriculture, rural development, primary education and social forestry among other
(b) Elections being made mandatory for all posts at the time they are due
(c) A statutory representation for women in the panchayats, upto a third of the strength
(d) Regular remuneration to the panchayat members, so as to ensure their punctuality and accountability

Correct Answer: (d) Regular remuneration to the panchayat members, so as to ensure their punctuality and accountability

Solution:Provision given in option (d) is not included under 73rd Amendment Act 1993.

5. A college student desires to get elected to the Municipal Council of his city. The validity of his nomination would depend on the important condition, among others, that: [2000]

(a) he obtains permission from the principal of his college
(b) he is a member of a political party
(c) his name figures in the voters' list
(d) he files a declaration owing allegiance to the Constitution of India

Correct Answer: (c) his name figures in the voters' list

Solution:A candidate from a recognized National State Political Party needs one proposer who is a voter in the same ward. Independent candidates and those from other State Political Parties require ten proposers from the same ward. Candidates contesting from a different ward must provide a certified copy of the electoral roll where they are registered.

All candidates must submit two affidavits with their nomination papers, detailing criminal cases, assets, liabilities, and educational qualifications. Therefore, the validity of a college student's nomination depends on whether their name is on the voter list.

6. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2000]

List-I (Local bodies)	List-II (States as in 1999)
A. Zila Parishads at the sub-divisional level	1. Andhra Pradesh
B. Mandal Praja Parishad	2. Assam
C. Tribal Councils	3. Mizoram
D. Absence of Village Panchayats	4. Meghalaya

Codes:

	A	B	C	D
(a)	2	1	4	3
(b)	1	2	4	3
(c)	3	2	1	4
(d)	2	1	3	4

Correct Answer: (a)

Solution:

Local bodies	States as in 1999
Zila parisad at the subdivisinal level	Assam
Mandal praja Parishad	Andhra Pradesh
Tribal Councils	Meghalaya
Absence of village panchayat	Mizoram

7. If a Panchayat is dissolved, elections are to be held within: [2009]

(a) 1 month
(b) 3 months
(c) 6 months
(d) 1 year

Correct Answer: (c) 6 months

Solution:Duration of Panchayats is five year. Fresh election to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed before the expiry of its term; or in case of dissolution fresh election is to be conducted before the expiry of a period of 6 months from the date of its dissolution.

8. In India, the first Municipal Corporation was set up in which one among the following? [2009]

(a) Calcutta
(b) Madras
(c) Bombay
(d) Delhi

Correct Answer: (b) Madras

Solution:In 1688, the first Municipal Corporation of India was set up in Madras.

9. The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following? [2011-1]

1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.

2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.

3. Establishment of State Finance Commission.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 & 2 only
(c) 2 & 3 only
(d) 1, 2 & 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 & 3

Solution:All the statements are correct as everywhere has been clearity mentioned in constitution.
Constitution of District planning
Committees - Article 243 ZD
State Election Commission shall
Conduct Panchayat Elections - Article 243 K
Establishment of State Finance Commssion to review financial position and make recommendation to governor
Article 243 I

10. In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? [2012-1]

1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.

2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.

3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 & 2 only
(c) 2 & 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 1 & 2 only

Solution:Recommendation of Gram sabha or Panchayat at the appropriate level shall be mandatory for grant of prospecting licence or mining lease for minor minerals (not for any minerals) in the sheduled areas. Therefore statement 3 is false.

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