Panchayati Raj & Public Policy

Total Questions: 34

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

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]

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]

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.

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.

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]

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.

The Panchayati System in India has the following structure:

  • Division into three-tier Panchayati Raj System: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act established a three-tier Panchayati Raj System in every state, including Panchayats at village, intermediate and district levels.
  • Enable Uniformity: The decentralisation of power ensures uniformity in the structure of Panchayati Raj System all over the country.
  • Optional for smaller states: A state with population not exceeding 20 lakh has the option to either constitute or not constitute Panchayats at intermediate level.

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]

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 level1. Andhra Pradesh
B. Mandal Praja Parishad2. Assam
C. Tribal Councils3. Mizoram
D. Absence of Village Panchayats4. Meghalaya

Codes:

ABCD
(a)2143
(b)1243
(c)3214
(d)2134
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:
Local bodies States as in 1999
Zila parisad at the subdivisinal levelAssam
Mandal praja ParishadAndhra Pradesh
Tribal CouncilsMeghalaya
Absence of village panchayatMizoram

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

Correct Answer: (c) 6 months
Solution:

Duration of Panchayats

  • The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provides for a five-year term of office to the Panchayat at every level from the date of its first meeting.

    • However, it can be dissolved before the completion of its term.

  • Fresh elections to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed:

    • before the expiry of its duration of five years,

    • in case of dissolution, before the expiry of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

  • It is to be noted that, where the remainder of the period (for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued) is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any election for constituting the new Panchayat for such a period.
  • Moreover, a Panchayat constituted upon the dissolution of a Panchayat before the expiration of its duration shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued had it not been so dissolved.

    • In other words, a Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution does not enjoy the full period of five years but remains in office only for the remainder of the period.

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

Correct Answer: (b) Madras
Solution:In 1688, the first Municipal Corporation of India was set up in Madras.
Municipalities and Urban Local Bodies
  • The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provides for the constitution of the following three types of Municipalities or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in every State:

    • A Nagar Panchayat (by whatever name called) for a Transitional Area,

    • A Municipal Council for a Smaller Urban Area.

    • A Municipal Corporation for a Larger Urban Area.

  • The Governor has to specify a Transitional Area, a Smaller Urban Area, or a Larger Urban Area, keeping in view the following factors:

    • The population of the area,

    • The density of the population therein,

    • The revenue generated for local administration,

    • The percentage of employment in non-agricultural activities,

    • Economic importance, and

    • Such other factors as he/she may deem fit.

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:

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 Commsion 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?

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.
Gram Sabha
  • The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provides for a Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system.

  • The Gram Sabha is a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the area of Panchayat at the village level.

    • Thus, it is a Village Assembly consisting of all the registered voters in the area of a Panchayat.

  • It may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State determines.