Important Questions Test: Rural Administration - UPSC

The Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) consists of three levels: Gram Panchayat at the village level. Block Panchayat or Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate level i.e. the block level. Zilla Panchayat at the district level.

Panchayat samiti is a rural local government (panchayat) body at the at the intermediate tehsil (taluka/mandal) level in India. It works for the villages of the tehsil that together are called a development block. It has been said to be the "panchayat of panchayats".

D is the correct option.Sabha is not the member of Gram Panchayat. Gram Panchayat is a small body whose members are elected. The term of Gram Panchayat is usually 5 years. Prabandhak Samiti). Gram Sabha includes All the Chairman of Block level institution of the district,15 to 10 elected Ward Panchas of the Village Panchayat, All the Chairman of Village Panchayats of the Block and All the voters of the Village Panchayat.

D is the correct option.Panchayat samiti (also known as Block Development Councils, Kshetra panchayat, Mandal panchayat, Taluka panchayat) are rural local governments (panchayats) at the intermediate level in panchayat raj institutions (PRI).

The city of Surat had a plague scare in 1994. Here is a detailed solution explaining the context:
Background:
- Plague is a highly infectious and deadly disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
- The disease is transmitted through fleas that infest rats and other small mammals.
- Plague outbreaks have occurred throughout history, causing devastating pandemics such as the Black Death in the 14th century.
The Plague Scare in Surat:
- In 1994, Surat, a city in the state of Gujarat, India, experienced a significant outbreak of the plague.
- The outbreak was initially triggered by infected rats traveling on ships from Africa to Surat's port.
- The disease quickly spread among the densely populated city, causing panic and fear among the residents.
Response and Measures taken:
- The Indian government took immediate action to contain the plague outbreak in Surat.
- Quarantine measures were implemented to isolate infected individuals and prevent the spread of the disease.
- The city was fumigated to eliminate the rat population and control the spread of fleas.
- Medical teams were deployed to provide treatment and education about the disease to the affected population.
- Public awareness campaigns were conducted to educate people about the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of the plague.
Outcome:
- The prompt response and effective measures taken by the authorities helped contain the plague outbreak in Surat.
- The number of cases gradually decreased, and the situation was brought under control.
- The incident served as a wake-up call for better public health infrastructure and disease surveillance in India.
In conclusion, the city of Surat had a plague scare in 1994, which was effectively managed through quarantine measures, fumigation, medical intervention, and public awareness campaigns. The incident highlighted the importance of preparedness and prompt action in controlling infectious disease outbreaks.

The correct option is C.
The Panchayat Samiti at the Block Level as the Basic Unit of Panchayati Raj.

The Zila Panchayat or District Council or Zila Parishad or District Panchayat , is the third tier of the Panchayati Raj system. Zila Parishad is an elected body. Block Pramukh of Block Panchayat are also represented in Zila Parishad.

The correct option is Option C.

Panchayati Raj is a system of rural local self-government in India. It has been established in all the states of India by the acts of the state legislature to build democracy at the grass root level. It is entrusted with rural development and was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.

D is the correct option.Anyone who is 18 years old or more and who has the right to vote is a member of the Panchayati Raj

The correct option is A.
The panchayat is chaired by the president of the village, known as a Sarpanch. The term of the elected representatives is five years. The Secretary of the panchayat is a non-elected representative, appointed by the state government, to oversee panchayat activities.

The correct option is Option B.
Gram panchayat has a Secretary who is also the secretary of the Gram Sabah. This person is not an elected person but is appointed by the government. He is responsible for calling the meetings of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat and keep a record of the proceedings.

BPL stands for Below Poverty Line.
Below are the detailed explanations for each option:
A: Behind Poverty Line
- This is not the correct option. There is no such term "Behind Poverty Line" in the context of poverty measurement.
B: Back Poverty Line
- This is not the correct option. There is no such term "Back Poverty Line" in the context of poverty measurement.
C: Basic Poverty Line
- This is not the correct option. There is no such term "Basic Poverty Line" in the context of poverty measurement.
D: Below Poverty Line
- This is the correct option. BPL stands for Below Poverty Line, which is a term used to indicate individuals or families who are living below a certain income threshold or poverty line.
In summary, the correct answer is D: Below Poverty Line (BPL).

Prize awarded for excellent work in Panchayat:
Nirmal Gram Puruskar
- Nirmal Gram Puruskar is the prize awarded for excellent work in Panchayat.
- It is given as recognition to Gram Panchayats for their outstanding performance in the implementation of sanitation programs and promotion of cleanliness in rural areas.
- The main objective of this prize is to motivate and encourage Gram Panchayats to achieve the goal of total sanitation and create a clean and hygienic environment.
- The prize is awarded by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India.
- It is a prestigious award that highlights the efforts and achievements of Gram Panchayats in improving sanitation facilities and practices in rural areas.
Naveen Gram Puruskar, Normal Gram Puruskar, and Natural Gram Puruskar:
- Naveen Gram Puruskar, Normal Gram Puruskar, and Natural Gram Puruskar are not the prizes awarded for excellent work in Panchayat.
- These options are not relevant to the question and can be eliminated as incorrect choices.
- It is important to read the question carefully and choose the correct option based on the given information.

Surat is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It used to be a large seaport and is now the commercial and economic center in South Gujarat.

Urbanization:
Urbanization refers to the process of the increasing proportion of a country's population that lives in urban areas. Urban areas are characterized by higher population densities, infrastructure development, and economic activities compared to rural areas.
Explanation:
Urbanization is a significant shift in the pattern of population distribution within a country. It is driven by various factors such as industrialization, economic opportunities, and the desire for a better quality of life. As more people move from rural to urban areas, the urban population grows, leading to urbanization.
Key Points:
- Urbanization is the increase in the proportion of a country's population living in urban areas.
- Urban areas have higher population densities, infrastructure development, and economic activities.
- Industrialization and economic opportunities are major drivers of urbanization.
- Urbanization is a global trend and is happening at varying rates in different countries.
- Urban areas offer better access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
- However, urbanization also brings challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental issues.
- Governments and urban planners need to address these challenges through sustainable urban development strategies.
Conclusion:
Urbanization is a process that is transforming the world as more people migrate from rural to urban areas. It offers opportunities and challenges for individuals and societies. Understanding urbanization is essential for policymakers and urban planners to create sustainable and livable cities.

In villages, people tend to follow beliefs of living together with integrity.

A is the correct option.A station house officer (SHO) is the officer in charge of a police station in India and Pakistan. The SHO holds the rank of inspector or sub-inspector. In India, the law permits a station house officer to conduct the investigation of crimes.

Who is SHO?
The term SHO stands for Station House Officer. It is a designation commonly used in the Indian police force to refer to the officer in charge of a police station. The SHO is responsible for the overall management and administration of the police station and is accountable for maintaining law and order in the assigned area.
Roles and Responsibilities of an SHO:
- Maintaining law and order: The SHO is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the area under their jurisdiction. They oversee the deployment of police personnel and coordinate efforts to prevent and control crime.
- Investigation of cases: The SHO supervises the investigation of criminal cases registered at the police station. They ensure that proper procedures are followed, evidence is gathered, and suspects are arrested.
- Registering complaints: The SHO receives complaints from the public and registers FIRs (First Information Reports) for cognizable offenses. They also facilitate the process of filing non-cognizable complaints.
- Maintaining records: The SHO maintains records of all the cases registered at the police station, including details of arrests, charge sheets, and other relevant documents.
- Public interaction: The SHO acts as a point of contact between the police department and the local community. They address public grievances, conduct community meetings, and promote community policing initiatives.
- Coordination with other agencies: The SHO collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, such as the traffic police, intelligence agencies, and other government departments, to ensure effective coordination in maintaining law and order.
Conclusion:
In summary, SHO stands for Station House Officer and refers to the officer in charge of a police station. Their responsibilities include maintaining law and order, investigating cases, registering complaints, maintaining records, interacting with the public, and coordinating with other agencies.

Today, property tax is usually paid to a local government, a school district, a county government, or a water district, but not to a state.

The correct option is B.
The state governments have power to frame laws and rules for the smooth functioning of the rural local bodies. Moreover, state governments also have the power of suspension and dissolution of the rural local bodies under certain conditions and for a fixed period.

At the village level, Kanungo is responsible for matters related to the collection of revenue. The maintenance of land records is also done by the Kanungo. He/she is popularly known as the revenue inspector.