Chapter 39 Panchayati Raj

229. What does the term Panchayati Raj signify in India?

230. How was the Panchayati Raj system constitutionalized?

231. Which entry in the State List of the Seventh Schedule deals with ‘local government’?

232. When was the Balwantrai Mehta Committee appointed, and what was its purpose?

233. When did the Balwantrai Mehta Committee submit its report?

234. What scheme did the Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommend, which later became known as Panchayati Raj?

235. What was the key recommendation of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee regarding the structure of Panchayati Raj?

236. How should the three tiers of Panchayati Raj be linked according to the Balwantrai Mehta Committee?

237. How should the representatives for the village panchayat, panchayat samiti, and zila parishad be constituted according to the Balwantrai Mehta Committee?

238. What responsibilities were to be entrusted to these Panchayati Raj bodies?

239. What roles were assigned to the panchayat samiti and the zila parishad by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee?

240. Who should be the chairman of the zila parishad according to the Balwantrai Mehta Committee?

241. What was recommended regarding the transfer of power and resources to these democratic bodies?

242. When did the National Development Council accept the recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee?

243. Which was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj, and when and where was it inaugurated?

244. Which state followed Rajasthan in adopting the Panchayati Raj system in 1959?

245. What were some of the differences among states in their Panchayati Raj institutions by the mid-1960s?

246. What type of Panchayati Raj system did Rajasthan adopt, and what about Tamil Nadu and West Bengal?

247. In the Rajasthan–Andhra Pradesh pattern, which body was powerful, and what was the unit of planning?

248. In the Maharashtra–Gujarat pattern, which body was powerful, and what was the unit of planning?

249. What were nyaya panchayats?

250. When was the Ashok Mehta Committee appointed, and what was its purpose?

251. When did the Ashok Mehta Committee submit its report, and how many recommendations did it make?

252. What was the main recommendation of the Ashok Mehta Committee regarding the structure of Panchayati Raj?

253. What did the Ashok Mehta Committee recommend as the first point for decentralisation?

254. What role was assigned to the zila parishad by the Ashok Mehta Committee?

255. What was recommended regarding the participation of political parties in panchayat elections?

256. What was recommended regarding the financial resources of panchayati raj institutions?

257. What was recommended regarding social audit for funds allotted to vulnerable groups?

258. What was recommended regarding the supersession of panchayati raj institutions?

259. What was recommended regarding nyaya panchayats?

260. Who was recommended to organise and conduct panchayati raj elections?

261. What was recommended regarding the transfer of development functions and staff to the zila parishad?

262. What role were voluntary agencies encouraged to play in panchayati raj?

263. What was recommended regarding the appointment of a minister for panchayati raj?

264. What was recommended regarding reservation of seats in panchayati raj institutions?

265. What was the ultimate recommendation for Panchayati Raj institutions to ensure their status and continuous functioning?

266. What states took steps to revitalise panchayati raj based on the Ashok Mehta Committee’s recommendations?

267. When was the G.V.K. Rao Committee appointed, and by whom?

268. What was the conclusion of the G.V.K. Rao Committee regarding the developmental process?

269. What was the key recommendation of the G.V.K. Rao Committee regarding the importance of the Zila Parishad?

270. What role were Panchayati Raj institutions at the district and lower levels recommended to have?

271. What was recommended regarding planning functions at the state level?

272. What new post was recommended by the G.V.K. Rao Committee, and what would be its role?

273. What was recommended regarding the regularity of elections to Panchayati Raj institutions?

274. How did the G.V.K. Rao Committee Report (1986) differ from the Dantwala Committee Report (1978) and Hanumantha Rao Committee Report (1984)?

275. When was the L.M. Singhvi Committee appointed, and what was its purpose?

276. What was the key recommendation of the L.M. Singhvi Committee regarding the status of Panchayati Raj institutions?

277. What was recommended regarding Nyaya Panchayats by the L.M. Singhvi Committee?

278. What was emphasized regarding Gram Sabhas by the L.M. Singhvi Committee?

279. What was recommended regarding the financial resources of Village Panchayats?

280. What was recommended regarding judicial tribunals for Panchayati Raj institutions?

281. When was the Thungon Committee constituted, and what was its purpose?

282. What was the key recommendation of the Thungon Committee regarding the status of Panchayati Raj bodies?

283. What was recommended regarding the structure of Panchayati Raj by the Thungon Committee?

284. What role was assigned to the Zilla Parishad by the Thungon Committee?

285. What was recommended regarding the fixed tenure of Panchayati Raj bodies?

286. What was the maximum period recommended for the supersession of a Panchayati Raj body?

287. What was recommended regarding a planning and co-ordination committee at the state level?

288. What was recommended regarding the incorporation of subjects for Panchayati Raj in the Constitution?

289. What was recommended regarding reservation of seats in all three tiers of Panchayati Raj?

290. What was recommended regarding the establishment of a state finance commission?

291. Who was recommended to be the chief executive officer of the Zilla Parishad?

292. When was the Gadgil Committee constituted, and what was its purpose?

293. What was the key recommendation of the Gadgil Committee regarding the status of Panchayati Raj institutions?

294. What was recommended regarding the structure of Panchayati Raj by the Gadgil Committee?

295. What was recommended regarding the term of Panchayati Raj institutions by the Gadgil Committee?

296. How were the members of Panchayats at all three levels recommended to be elected?

297. What was recommended regarding reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions by the Gadgil Committee?

298. What responsibility were Panchayati Raj bodies recommended to have regarding socio-economic development?

299. What was recommended regarding the financial powers of Panchayati Raj bodies?

300. What was recommended regarding the establishment of a State Finance Commission?

301. What was recommended regarding the establishment of a State Election Commission?

302. When did the Rajiv Gandhi Government introduce the 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill to constitutionalise Panchayati Raj institutions?

303. What was the fate of the 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced by the Rajiv Gandhi Government?

304. When did the V.P. Singh Government introduce a constitutional amendment bill to strengthen panchayati raj institutions, and what was its fate?

305. When did the Narasimha Rao Government introduce a modified Municipalities Bill, and what was its outcome?

306. What new Part and Schedule were added to the Constitution by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992?

307. What Articles does Part-IX of the Constitution consist of?

308. How many functional items does the Eleventh Schedule contain, and which Article does it deal with?

309. What Article of the Constitution did the 73rd Amendment Act give practical shape to?

310. What is the implication of the 73rd Amendment Act giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions?

311. Into what two categories can the provisions of the 73rd Amendment Act be grouped?

312. What is the difference between compulsory and voluntary provisions of the 73rd Amendment Act?

313. What is the significance of the 73rd Amendment Act in the evolution of democratic institutions?

314. What does the Gram Sabha consist of, and what is its role?

315. What is the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj provided by the 73rd Amendment Act?

316. What is the exception to the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj?

317. How are the members of panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels elected?

318. How are the chairpersons of panchayats at the intermediate and district levels elected?

319. How is the chairperson of a panchayat at the village level elected?

320. Do the chairperson and other members of a panchayat have the right to vote in meetings?

321. What does the 73rd Amendment Act provide for regarding reservation of seats for SCs and STs in panchayats?

322. What does the 73rd Amendment Act provide for regarding reservation of offices of chairperson for SCs and STs?

323. What does the 73rd Amendment Act provide for regarding reservation of seats for women in panchayats?

324. What does the 73rd Amendment Act provide for regarding reservation of offices of chairpersons for women?

325. What provision does the act authorize the state legislature to make regarding reservation of seats for backward classes?

326. When will the reservation of seats and offices of chairpersons for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in panchayats cease to have effect?

327. Does the provision for reservation of seats for scheduled castes apply to Arunachal Pradesh?

328. When was the provision regarding reservation of seats for scheduled castes in Arunachal Pradesh added?

329. What is the term of office for panchayats at every level?

330. What happens if a panchayat is dissolved before the completion of its term?

331. What is the rule if the remainder of the period for a dissolved panchayat is less than six months?

332. What is the term of a panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution?

333. What are the grounds for disqualification from being chosen as or being a member of a panchayat?

334. Is a person disqualified from being a member of a panchayat if they are less than 25 years of age but have attained 21 years?

335. Who determines questions of disqualification for panchayat members?

336. Who is responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of electoral rolls and elections to panchayats?

337. Who appoints the State Election Commissioner?

338. Who determines the conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner?

339. How can a State Election Commissioner be removed from office?

her disadvantage after appointment?

341. What powers and authority can the state legislature endow upon Panchayats?

342. What types of provisions can a scheme for devolution of powers to Panchayats contain?

343. What financial powers can the state legislature authorize a panchayat to exercise?

344. What financial provisions can the state legislature make for panchayats?

345. Who constitutes a Finance Commission for panchayats, and how often?

346. What recommendations does the State Finance Commission make to the Governor?

347. Who determines the composition, qualifications, and selection manner of the State Finance Commission?

348. What is the governor’s role after receiving recommendations from the State Finance Commission?

349. What is the role of the Central Finance Commission regarding panchayats?

350. What provisions can the state legislature make regarding accounts of panchayats?

351. Are the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution applicable to Union Territories?

352. How can the President apply the provisions of Part IX to Union Territories?

353. Which states and areas are exempted from the application of the 73rd Amendment Act?

354. Can the Parliament extend the provisions of Part IX to scheduled and tribal areas?

355. What Act did Parliament enact under the provision to extend Part IX to scheduled and tribal areas?

356. What is the status of existing state laws relating to panchayats after the 73rd Amendment Act?

357. What happened to panchayats existing immediately before the commencement of the 73rd Amendment Act?

358. When did the majority of states pass their Panchayati Raj Acts in accordance with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?

359. What does the 73rd Amendment Act state regarding interference by courts in electoral matters of panchayats?

360. How can the validity of a law relating to delimitation of constituencies or allotment of seats in panchayats be questioned?

361. How can an election to any panchayat be questioned?

362. What are the 29 functional items listed in the Eleventh Schedule that fall under the purview of panchayats?

363. What are the compulsory provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)?

364. What are the voluntary provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)?

365. What is the PESA Act of 1996 also known as?

366. What is the purpose of the PESA Act of 1996?

367. How many states currently have Fifth Schedule Areas?

368. What are the ten states that currently have Fifth Schedule Areas?

369. What is the first objective of the PESA Act?

370. What is the second objective of the PESA Act?

371. What is the third objective of the PESA Act?

372. What is the fourth objective of the PESA Act?

373. What is the fifth objective of the PESA Act?

374. What is the sixth objective of the PESA Act?

375. What is the seventh objective of the PESA Act?

376. What is a key feature of state legislation on Panchayats in Scheduled Areas under the PESA Act?

377. How is a village ordinarily defined under the PESA Act?

378. What does every Gram Sabha consist of under the PESA Act?

379. What is the competence of every Gram Sabha under the PESA Act?

380. What are the responsibilities of the Gram Sabha regarding plans and beneficiaries?

381. What is required of every Panchayat at the village level regarding fund utilization under the PESA Act?

382. What is the provision for reservation of seats in Panchayats in Scheduled Areas under the PESA Act?

383. What is the provision for reservation of Chairpersons’ seats in Panchayats in Scheduled Areas under the PESA Act?

384. Can the state government nominate Scheduled Tribes to Panchayats in Scheduled Areas?

385. What is required before land acquisition or resettlement in Scheduled Areas for development projects?

386. Who coordinates the actual planning and implementation of projects in the Scheduled Areas?

387. What is entrusted to Panchayats at the appropriate level regarding minor water bodies in Scheduled Areas?

388. What is mandatory for granting prospecting licenses or mining leases for minor minerals in Scheduled Areas?

389. What is mandatory for granting concession for the exploitation of minor minerals by auction?

390. What specific powers and authority shall a State Legislature ensure Panchayats in Scheduled Areas are endowed with?

391. What safeguards shall State Legislations contain regarding Panchayats in Scheduled Areas?

392. What pattern shall the State Legislature endeavour to follow when designing administrative arrangements for Panchayats at district levels in Scheduled Areas?

393. What is the effect of any law related to Panchayats in Scheduled Areas that is inconsistent with the PESA Act?

394. What happens to Panchayats existing before the PESA Act received assent?

395. What are the main sources of revenue for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)?

396. What is the general conclusion about States’ attention to fiscal empowerment of Panchayats?

397. Are Panchayats heavily dependent on government grants?

398. What is the conclusion about the discretion and flexibility of Panchayats in incurring expenditure?

399. Why are State Governments not keen to devolve funds to Panchayats?

400. Who is directly responsible for the implementation and expenditure of most Eleventh Schedule matters?

401. What is the overall situation regarding Panchayats’ responsibility and resources?

402. What ensures people’s involvement and makes the institution accountable to its citizens?

403. Which tier of Panchayats is in a better position for own resource collection?

404. On what do the intermediate and District Panchayats depend for generating internal resources?

405. What types of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees come under the jurisdiction of Village Panchayats?

406. What is the first reason for the sub-optimal performance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) even after constitutional status?

407. What is the issue with State Finance Commissions (SFCs) regarding fiscal viability of PRIs?

408. How does excessive control by bureaucracy affect Gram Panchayats?

409. What are the implications of tied nature of funds for Panchayats?

410. What is the impact of overwhelming dependency on government funding for Panchayats?

411. Why do very few Panchayats use their fiscal power to levy and collect taxes?

412. What is the issue with the status of the Gram Sabha?

413. What is the problem with the creation of Parallel Bodies (PBs)?

414. What are the issues related to poor infrastructure in Gram Panchayats?

415. What is a problem with elected representatives of PRIs regarding their roles and responsibilities?

416. Which Article of the Constitution deals with Definitions related to Panchayats?

417. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Gram Sabha?

418. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Constitution of panchayats?

419. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Composition of panchayats?

420. Which Article of the Constitution deals with Reservation of seats in panchayats?

421. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Duration of panchayats?

422. Which Article of the Constitution deals with Disqualifications for membership in panchayats?

423. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Powers, authority and responsibilities of panchayats?

424. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Powers to impose taxes by, and funds of, the panchayats?

425. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Constitution of finance commission to review financial position of panchayats?

426. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Audit of accounts of panchayats?

427. Which Article of the Constitution deals with Elections to the panchayats?

428. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Application to union territories for panchayats?

429. Which Article of the Constitution deals with Part not to apply to certain areas for panchayats?

430. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Continuance of existing laws and panchayats?

431. Which Article of the Constitution deals with Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters for panchayats?