Laxmikanth Test: Panchayati Raj - UPSC MCQ

Answer: D (All of them)
Explanation:
The Ashok Mehta committee was formed in 1977 to review the working of the Panchayati Raj system in India and suggest measures for its revitalization. The committee made several recommendations, some of which were adopted by various states to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system. The states of Karnataka, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh took steps to revitalize the Panchayati Raj, keeping in view some of the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta committee.
Karnataka:
- Implemented a two-tier Panchayati Raj system, with Mandal Panchayats at the village level and Zilla Parishads at the district level.
- Introduced reservation for women and marginalized groups in Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Strengthened the financial position of Panchayats by providing them with adequate funds and resources.
West Bengal:
- Introduced the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, with Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Parishads.
- Conducted regular elections for Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Devolved powers and functions to Panchayats for local administration and development.
Andhra Pradesh:
- Adopted a two-tier Panchayati Raj system, with Mandal Panchayats and Zilla Parishads.
- Ensured representation for women and marginalized groups in Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Provided financial resources and administrative support to Panchayats for local governance and development.
In conclusion, all the mentioned states took steps to revitalize the Panchayati Raj system by implementing some of the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta committee.

• Statement-I: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee did indeed propose a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in India, which consists of the Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level).

• Statement-II: The Ashok Mehta Committee, on the other hand, recommended a two-tier Panchayati Raj system. It suggested replacing the existing three-tier structure with a system consisting of the Zila Parishad at the district level and the Mandal Panchayat at the lower level (often equivalent to the block level).

Thus, while both statements are correct regarding the recommendations of the respective committees, Statement-II does not directly explain or follow from Statement-I; rather, it presents an alternative proposal.

The Thungon Committee in 1988 recommended the designation of Zilla Parishad as the pivotal authority in the Panchayati Raj system, responsible for planning and development at the district level. This proposal aimed to streamline decision-making processes and enhance the effectiveness of governance within the Panchayati Raj framework.

1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee - 1957: Correct.

- The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was established in 1957 to assess the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service. It recommended the establishment of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.

2. Ashok Mehta Committee - 1977: Correct.

- The Ashok Mehta Committee was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Government to revive and strengthen the declining Panchayati Raj system. It recommended replacing the three-tier system with a two-tier system.

3. G.V.K. Rao Committee - 1985: Correct.

- The G.V.K. Rao Committee was formed in 1985 to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and recommended a district-centric approach for planning and development.

4. L.M. Singhvi Committee - 1992: Incorrect.

- The L.M. Singhvi Committee was actually appointed in 1986 and not in 1992. It recommended the constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj institutions, which led to the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, and pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

Correct answer: Option C: Only three pairs

To determine the correctness of the statements, let's analyze each one in detail:

1. Statement-I: The L.M. Singhvi Committee indeed recommended the constitutional recognition and protection of Panchayati Raj institutions. This committee, officially known as the "Committee on the Resurgence of Panchayati Raj Institutions," suggested that Panchayati Raj institutions should be given constitutional status to enhance their role and stability. It recommended the addition of a new chapter to the Indian Constitution to formally recognize and protect these institutions.

2. Statement-II: The Gadgil Committee, also known as the "Gadgil Committee on Panchayati Raj," did propose measures to empower Panchayati Raj institutions, including the ability to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes and duties. This was part of a broader recommendation to strengthen the financial autonomy and capabilities of these local government bodies.

Given that both statements are correct:

• Statement-I correctly describes the recommendation of the L.M. Singhvi Committee for constitutional recognition.
• Statement-II accurately reflects the Gadgil Committee's proposals for fiscal powers of Panchayati Raj institutions.

Since both statements are correct and Statement-II does provide an aspect of the empowerment that could be related to the general strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions as recommended by the L.M. Singhvi Committee, the best choice is:

3. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended the implementation of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system consisting of gram panchayat at the village level, panchayat samiti at the block level, and zila parishad at the district level. This structure aimed to decentralize power, promote local self-governance, and facilitate planning and development activities at various levels of administration.

1. L M Singhvi Committee 1986 - Proposed establishing a three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
- Incorrect. The L M Singhvi Committee did not propose a three-tier system. Instead, it recommended constitutional recognition and regular elections for Panchayati Raj institutions, among other suggestions.

2. Thungon Committee 1988 - Recommended the reservation of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Correct. The Thungon Committee recommended the reservation of seats for women in all three tiers of Panchayati Raj institutions.

3. Gadgil Committee 1988 - Recommended the establishment of a State Finance Commission for Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Correct. The Gadgil Committee recommended the establishment of a State Finance Commission to allocate finances to Panchayati Raj institutions.

4. 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 - Introduced the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution.
- Correct. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 introduced the Eleventh Schedule, which lists 29 functional items for Panchayats.

Only pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched.

The main recommendations of the committee were: 

• The 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj should be replaced by the 2-tier system: Zilla Parishad at the district level, and below it, the Mandal Panchayat Consisting of a group of villages covering a population of 15000 to 20000. 

• A district should be the first point for decentralisation under popular supervision below the state level. 

• Zila Parishad should be the executive body and made responsible for planning at the district level. 

• There should be an official participation of political parties at all levels of Panchayat elections. The Panchayat Raj institutions should have compulsory powers of taxation to mobilise their own financial resources. 

• There should be a regular social audit by a district level agency and by a committee of legislators to check whether the funds allotted for the vulnerable social and economic groups are actually spent on them. 

• The state government should not supersede the Panchayat Raj institutions. In case of an imperative supersession, the election should be held within 6 months from the date of supersession. 

• The Nyaya Panchayats should be kept as separate bodies from that of development Panchayats. They should be presided over by a qualified judge etc.

The correct answer is A: 1 Only.
Explanation:
- Rajasthan was the first state to establish the Panchayati Raj system in India. The Panchayati Raj system was introduced in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan on October 2, 1959.
- Madhya Pradesh, however, was not the second state to establish Panchayati Raj. Andhra Pradesh was the second state to implement the Panchayati Raj system in 1959, followed by Madhya Pradesh in 1960.
- The Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier system of local self-governance in rural India, comprising Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samitis at the block level, and Zila Parishads at the district level. It aims to promote democratic decentralization and empower local communities in decision-making and development.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 Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee appointed by the Government of India in 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Programme (1952) and the National Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their betterment. The committee's recommendations led to the establishment of the 'Panchayati Raj' system in India. The key recommendations of the committee were:

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.

Based on the above, the correct statement related to the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee is:
The  Panchayat Samiti should be the executive body and Zila Parishad should be the supervisory body.
The statement about the zila Parishad being constituted with indirectly elected members aligns with the committee's recommendations.

So the correct option is: Both 1 and 2