Political Scenario ( Rajasthan )

According to the ‘Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Home department’s estimates do not come under the control of Estimate Committee ‘A’.

According to Article 368(2), when a bill is passed in each house by a majority of the total membership of that house present and voting, the amendment shall also require to be ratified by the Legislature of not less than one half of the states by resolution to that effect passed by those Legislatures before the Bill making provision for such amendment is presented to the President for assent. Thus, option (c) is correct.

According to Article 243(K) of the Indian Constitution, the superintendence direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in a State Election commission consisting of a state election commissioner to be appointed by the Governor. Thus, Rajasthan State Election Commission is a constitutional body.

Till 2015, elections for Panchayati Raj institutions have been held 10 times. 11th election was conducted in February, 2020.

Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Modification of provisions in their application to the scheduled Areas) Rules, 2011 has a provision of a joint meeting of Gram Sabha.

Section 89 of Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 provides for the Constitution of Rajasthan Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad Service. Amendment of Section 89 says that the expression “Gram Vikas Adhikari” shall be substituted for the existing expression “Village level worker(Gram Sevak)”.

Through the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2021 the existing 'Village Level Workers' has been subsituted by the 'Gram Vikas Adhikari'.

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan was launched in 2018. It is Centrally sponsored scheme. It’s aimed at improving Panchayati Raj bodies ‘Governance capabilities for achieving sustainable development goals’. The focus of the scheme is on the capacity building of elected representatives and functionaries. Hence, option (c) is correct. Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan (RGSA) is an upgraded version of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyaan (RGPSA). Hence, option (d) is correct. Slogan of the scheme is “Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas”.

All the people of a village listed on the electoral rolls constitute Gram Sabha. Panchayati Raj was introduced for the first time in Bagadari village of Nagaur district of Rajasthan on 2nd October, 1959 by Jawaharlal Nehru. According to Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 literacy requirement for the Sarpanch was taken away. Now, any person of 21 years of age can contests election for any post of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Lokayukta is appointed by the Governor and responsible for to the Legislative Assembly. The Lokayukta is similar to the Lokpal, but functions on a state level. The Lokayukta investigates allegations of corruption and mal-administration against public servants and is tasked specially redressed of public grievances. At present Justice Pratap Krishna Lohra is Lokayukta of Rajasthan.