All questions of Local Government: Panchayati Raj & Municipality for UPSC CSE Exam

1. Establishment of a three-tier panchayati raj system - Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level.
2. The Gram Panchayat should be the base of the Panchayati Raj system and should be directly elected by the people. The committee suggested that this body should be in charge of planning at the village level.
3. The Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad should be the other two tiers, with the members of the Panchayat Samiti being indirectly elected by the members of the Gram Panchayat.
4. The Zila Parishad should be the apex tier of the Panchayati Raj system, with members also indirectly elected from among the Panchayat Samiti members.
5. The Panchayat Samiti was designated as the executive body, and the Zila Parishad as the advisory and supervisory body.

Notified Area Committee (NAC) is a local government body in India. It is established by the state government in areas that are not yet fully developed and require improvement in terms of civic amenities and infrastructure.

Incorrect statements:
1. It is an entirely elected body: This statement is incorrect as NAC is not entirely elected. It consists of both elected and nominated members. The elected members are chosen through direct elections while the nominated members are appointed by the state government.

2. It is not a statutory body: This statement is incorrect as NAC is a statutory body. It is established under the provisions of the State Municipal Act and is governed by the rules and regulations mentioned in the act.

Correct statement:
3. All the provisions of the state Municipal act apply to it: This statement is correct. NAC is governed by the state Municipal Act and all the provisions mentioned in the act apply to it. The act provides guidelines for the functioning of the NAC, including its powers, functions, and duties.

In conclusion, option D is the correct answer as statement 1 and 2 are incorrect while statement 3 is correct.

The chief executive officer/chief municipal officer is responsible for the day-to-day general administration of the municipality. He is appointed by the state government.

Recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee:

1. Decentralisation at the District Level: The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended that decentralisation should begin at the district level. The district should be the first point for decentralisation under popular supervision below the state level. This would ensure that decision-making is closer to the people and more responsive to their needs.

2. Zila Parishad as Supervisory Body: The committee recommended that the Zila Parishad should be the supervisory body and made responsible for planning at the district level. This would ensure that planning is done in a holistic manner, taking into account the needs of all sections of society.

3. Political Participation in Panchayat Elections: The committee recommended that there should be an official participation of political parties at all levels of Panchayat elections. This would ensure that the Panchayat system is more democratic and political parties are held accountable for the decisions taken by the Panchayats.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Ashok Mehta Committee made some important recommendations for strengthening the Panchayat system in India. These recommendations focused on decentralisation at the district level, the role of the Zila Parishad in planning, and political participation in Panchayat elections. These recommendations have been instrumental in shaping the Panchayat system in India and ensuring that it is more responsive to the needs of the people.

The Act does not apply to the Scheduled Areas and tribal areas in the states.

Port Trust is created by an act of Parliament.

The act provides for the constitution of the following three types of municipalities in every state. 

The correct statement about municipal commissioner in a Municipal Corporation is:

1. He is responsible only for the implementation of the decisions taken by the Council and its standing committees.

Explanation:
- Municipal Commissioner is an administrative head of the Municipal Corporation.
- He is appointed by the state government and works under the overall control of the Council.
- He is responsible for the implementation of the decisions taken by the Council and its standing committees.
- He is also responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Corporation.
- Mayor is the ceremonial head of the Municipal Corporation and presides over the meetings of the Council and its standing committees.
- However, the Mayor does not have the power to implement decisions taken by the Council or its committees.

Therefore, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.

Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj. The scheme was inaugurated by the prime minister on October 2, 1959, in Nagaur district. Rajasthan was followed by Andhra Pradesh, which also adopted the system in 1959. Thereafter, most of the states adopted the system.

The Council is headed by a Mayor. He is assisted by a Deputy Mayor. He is elected in a majority of the states for a one-year renewable term. He is basically an ornamental figure and a formal head of the corporation. His main function is to preside over the meetings of the Council. The standing committees are created to facilitate the working of the council, which is too large in size. They deal with public works, education, health, taxation, finance and so on.

Key Recommendation of the Thungon Committee
The Thungon Committee, established in 1988, aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the Panchayati Raj system in India. Among its various recommendations, the most significant was the designation of the Zilla Parishad as the highest authority in the Panchayati Raj structure.
Importance of Zilla Parishad
- The Zilla Parishad serves as the apex body at the district level, providing a crucial link between the state government and the local self-governments.
- By elevating the Zilla Parishad's status, the committee emphasized the need for a strong administrative structure to facilitate better governance and accountability.
Enhanced Decision-Making
- Designating the Zilla Parishad as the highest authority enables it to consolidate powers and responsibilities, thus enhancing decision-making capabilities at the grassroots level.
- This structure allows for effective planning and implementation of development programs, ensuring that local needs and priorities are addressed.
Strengthened Local Governance
- By empowering the Zilla Parishad, the committee aimed to strengthen the overall framework of local governance, promoting better coordination among various tiers of Panchayati Raj.
- This recommendation sought to ensure that the local bodies could function independently and efficiently, fostering democratic decentralization.
Conclusion
The Thungon Committee's recommendation to designate the Zilla Parishad as the highest authority was pivotal in reinforcing the Panchayati Raj system. It aimed at creating a robust mechanism for local governance, ultimately leading to more responsive and accountable administration.