Panchayati Raj in India: The word Panchayati Raj means Rural Self-Governance System in India. It is a three-tier structure of the Indian administration for rural development. The purpose of the Panchayati Raj is to develop local self-governments in districts, zones, and villages. Questions related to Panchayati Raj are given below and are explained with examples. Show
Panchayati Raj in India: Panchayati Raj is a significant topic asked frequently in competitive examinations. Questions provided below give you an insight into Panchayati Raj, its evolution, various committees set up for Panchayati Raj, salient features of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, etc. Solve this set and evaluate your preparation for the upcoming exams to be held in India. 1. Which of the following committee recommended for Panchayati Raj System in India? (a) Punchhi Samiti (b) Balwantrai Mehta Committee (c) Singhvi Committee (d) None of the following Answer b Explanation: Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was made for the Panchayati Raj system in India; which submitted its report in 1957. 2. How many tiers are in the Panchayati Raj system of India? (a) One-tier (b) Two-tier (c) Three-tier (d) Four-tier Answer c Explanation: Three-tier system is arranged i.e. Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. 3. Which of the following system is established on the basis of the direct election? (a) Gram Panchayat (b) Block Committee (c) Zila Parishad (d) Both b and c Answer a Explanation: The Gram Panchayat is established on the basis of direct election. READ| National Panchayati Raj in India 4. Which of the following statements is not correct? (a) Panchayati Raj was established in India by Jawahar Lal Nehru (b) Madhya Pradesh was the first state which implemented The Panchayati Raj system in India (c) 73rd Constitutional amendment was implemented in 1992 (d) Tamil Nadu has adopted the bicameral method Answer b Explanation: First of all the Panchayati Raj system was established in Rajasthan (2 October 1959) after which Andhra Pradesh adopted this system. 5. Which of the following Article is related to Panchayati Raj? (a) Article 243 (b) Article 324 (c) Article 124 (d) Article 73 Answer a Explanation: Article 243 6. What was the main purpose behind bringing the Panchayati Raj system to India? (a) To Prevent criminalization of politics (b) Development of villages (c) Decentralisation of the political power to the general peoples (d) To reduce election expenses Answer c Explanation: Decentralization of power to connect the masses with politics 7. Which schedule was added to the constitution by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment? (a) 6th (b) 7th (c) 9th (d) 11th Answer d Explanation: 11th schedule was added in the Indian constitution. READ| Important Amendments in the Indian Constitution for UPSC- Check Here 8. Which statement is not correct regarding "Gram Sabha"? (a) It is a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village comprised within the area of the Panchayat level. (b) It is a village assembly consisting of all the registered voters in the area of the Panchayat. (c) Its powers have been determined by the Central Government (d) Its powers and functions at the village level are like state legislature at the state level. Answer c Explanation: Its powers have been determined by the State Legislature. 9. Which statement is true about Panchayati Raj? (a) The Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad should be constituted with directly elected members. (b) Minimum age should be 18 years to contest the election at the panchayat level (c) Election of the Panchayati Raj institutions is conducted under the guidance of the State Election Commission. (d) For the financial review of Panchayats, the state Finance Commission is established after 6 years Answer c Explanation: The election of the Panchayati Raj institutions is conducted under the guidance of the State Election Commission. 10. How many posts are reserved for women at all levels in the Panchayati raj system. (a) 1/3 (b) 1/2 (c) 2/3 (d) 1/4 Answer a Explanation: One-third of posts (for both the member and the chief) are reserved for women. READ| 500+ GK Questions & Answers on Indian Polity & Governance
This article is written by Shreya Pandey, pursuing LLM from RamSwaroop University, Lucknow. The article deals with the changes brought by the 73rd Amendment Act and analyses the three-tier structure. This article has been published by Shoronya Banerjee. IntroductionThe 73rd Amendment Act was passed in 1992 and came into effect on 24th April 1993 which inserted Part IX consisting of Article 243 to 243-O, and the Eleventh Schedule enumerating 29 functional items. The Act gave certain powers to the state government to constitute gram panchayats at a local level and provide them with all the necessary assistance to operate as a unit of self-governance. The panchayat system was prevalent in India before the Amendment Act was enforced. The problem with that system was that it was not well organised, had inadequate financial resources, irregular elections, no proper representation of weaker sections, i.e., SCs and STs, and the government was not giving any support to the local authorities. So to address these issues and strengthen the local self-government bodies, this amendment was introduced by the central government to provide the local panchayats with legal support. The provisions under Part IX can be divided into 2 groups: compulsory group and voluntary group. Evolution of the Panchayati Raj SystemArticle 40 of the Indian Constitution obligated the state governments to constitute panchayats and provide them such powers and functions so that they can work as a unit of self-government. Executing its obligations certain committees were constituted by the government of India to give recommendations upon the implementation of self-governance on the rural level. Following are the committees that were constituted:
In September 1991, 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced by the Lok Sabha and was passed by the same on 22nd December 1992. Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on 23rd December 1992 and it received the President’s assent on 20th April 1993 and came into force on 24th April 1993. Constitutional provisions of the Amendment
Gram Sabha is defined under Article 243(b) which states that a gram sabha is a body that consists of persons registered on the electoral rolls relating to the village that falls under the area of Panchayat at a village level. It is the foundation of the Panchayati Raj Institution. Article 243A of the Indian Constitution empowers the Gram Sabha to perform the functions at its village level as is provided by the law or State Legislature. 2. State Election CommissionState Election Commission is constituted in every state for the superintendence, maintenance, control, and preparation of electoral rolls. The Commission also handles the elections of panchayats. 3. Three-tier systemArticle 243B of the Indian Constitution provides for a three-tier system in the Panchayati Raj Institution where panchayats shall be constituted at the village, intermediate, and district levels in every state. 4. Composition of the panchayatsAccording to Article 243C, the composition of the panchayats shall be as decided by the State legislature. The number of seats at any level of a panchayat shall be according to the population of that territory. 5. Manner of electionThe election of members of panchayats of village, intermediate, and district levels shall be done through direct election by the people. The elections of chairman of the intermediate and district level panchayat will be elected indirectly by the elected members of the panchayats. 6. Reservation of seatsArticle 243D provides for the provision of reservation of seats which specifies the reservation of seats for SCs and STs according to the proportion of their population. The Article also provides for one-third of the total seats to be reserved for women that belong to the SCs or STs. This Article empowers the State Legislature to make any provision relating to the reservation of backward class. 7. Duration of PanchayatsArticle 243E specifies the duration of panchayats to be for a term of 5 years if it does not get dissolved before the completion of its tenure. If the panchayat gets dissolved then the other panchayat which was constituted would function till the remaining period of the dissolved panchayat. 8. Duties and power of the panchayatsArticle 243G puts State Legislature under an obligation to make laws so as to provide such power and authorities to the panchayats so that they can function as a unit of self-government. It is the duty of the panchayats to prepare a plan for economic development and social justice for the people. The Article provides authority to the state government to give power and authority to the panchayats on all the 29 subjects prescribed under the Eleventh schedule for local planning and implementing schemes, i.e., implementing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee, 2006, MGNREGA, which is one of the largest employment generating schemes. Panchayats implement the schemes made by the central and state governments for the betterment of people at the ground level. Panchayats have the authority to increase employment facilities and work upon the development of the area. 9. Finance CommissionUnder Article 243I, the Finance Commission is constituted by the Governor of the State to review the financial position of the Panchayats, to recommend the principles for the distribution of taxes between the state and panchayats. The finance commission also determines the taxes, duties, tolls, and fees that will be assigned or appropriated to the panchayats. 10. Audit of accountsUnder Article 243J, the State Legislature is empowered to make provisions for the panchayats to maintain and audit the accounts of panchayats. 11. FinanceThe State Legislature by law may authorise the panchayats to levy and collect tax, duties, tolls, or fees. The panchayats may be assigned with the tax, duties, fees, or tolls that are collected by the state government to carry out specific work. The panchayats are provided with a grant-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of the State. The state legislature may also constitute a fund for crediting and withdrawal purposes by or for the panchayats.
The subjects are specified in the Eleventh Schedule and not in the Seventh Schedule for the reason that the states are free to determine the activities of PRIs. The three-tier structureThe Union Government established a three-tier structure for the Panchayati system for a period of five years through direct election. The three tiers are Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. 1. Gram PanchayatThe main functions of gram panchayats are sanitation, cleaning public roads, public toilets, supplying clean drinking water, primary healthcare, and education. Eg: Implementing programs like Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, etc for the betterment of the villagers. Jal Jeevan Mission is a program that aimed to provide functional water taps in all households. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna is a program that aims to provide shelter to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. 2. Panchayat SamitiPanchayat Samiti is the second tier of the Panchayati system that links the gram panchayat with the Zila Parishad. The members of Panchayat Samiti are elected directly. Sarpanch of Gram Panchayats are ex-officio members of Panchayat Samiti. 3. Zila ParishadIt is the highest tier of the system where the members are elected directly by the people. Chairperson of Panchayat Samiti are elected ex-officio members of Zila Parishad and Members of Parliaments, Legislative Assemblies, and Councils of the districts are nominated members of Zila Parishad. Flaws in the Amendment
Panchayati Raj Institution was established after 45 years of independence despite many efforts made by the government. The reason behind this could be illiteracy, lack of funds, and political will. Panchayats are the best institutions for the people in villages to solve their issues and put their voice upfront before the government. Therefore the panchayats are the best institution to deal with the issues arising at the grassroots level. However, there are many flaws in the system but this Amendment was a huge step by the government to give constitutional status to the panchayats. ReferencesLawSikho has created a telegram group for exchanging legal knowledge, referrals, and various opportunities. You can click on this link and join: https://t.me/lawyerscommunity Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more amazing legal content. |