Q31. All of the following were recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee EXCEPT:
Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies: RAS Prelims MCQs
65 RAS Prelims MCQs on local government cover the 73rd and 74th Amendments, the committees that led to them, the three-tier system, State Finance Commissions, the Eleventh Schedule and urban local bodies. The explanations give the Articles, dates and numbers that the exam asks for.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 65 questions
Q32. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Balwantrai Mehta Committee coined the term ‘Democratic Decentralization’.
Reason (R): The committee aimed to create a system where local communities have the administrative and financial autonomy to govern themselves.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Balwantrai Mehta Committee coined the term ‘Democratic Decentralization’.
Reason (R): The committee aimed to create a system where local communities have the administrative and financial autonomy to govern themselves.
Explanation
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee is credited with coining the term ‘Democratic Decentralization’ to describe its proposed three-tier system. The committee’s primary objective was to create a framework where local communities would have both the administrative authority and financial autonomy to manage their own affairs. This approach was intended to foster active participation in the nation’s developmental and democratic processes.
Q33. Which of the following is a voluntary (discretionary) provision of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?
Explanation
Certain provisions of the 73rd Amendment are mandatory, such as establishing State Election and Finance Commissions and holding regular elections. However, some provisions are voluntary, leaving the decision to the state legislatures. Providing reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayats is one such discretionary provision, allowing states to adapt the reservation policy to their specific socio-political and demographic contexts.
Q34. Match List-I (Constitutional Articles on Reservation) with List-II (Institution/Process):
| Constitutional Articles on Reservation | Institution/Process |
|---|---|
| A. Article 243D | i. Elections to Municipalities |
| B. Article 243T | ii. Reservation in Panchayats |
| C. Article 243K | iii. Reservation in Municipalities |
| D. Article 243ZA | iv. Elections to Panchayats |
Explanation
Article 243D covers the reservation of seats in Panchayats, while Article 243T addresses reservation in Municipalities. Similarly, Article 243K deals with the conduct of elections to Panchayats through the State Election Commission. Article 243ZA provides the constitutional basis for elections to Municipalities, ensuring that the democratic process is consistently applied across both rural and urban local government bodies.
Q35. Which of the following represents the correct historical sequence of the establishment of local self-government milestones in independent India?
Explanation
The evolution of local self-government in India began with the Community Development Programme in 1952. Its evaluation led to the appointment of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee in 1957. Later, the Ashok Mehta Committee in 1977 suggested major reforms. This long process of refinement eventually culminated in the landmark 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which institutionalized Panchayati Raj.
Q36. The concept of Gram Sabha is best understood as an example of which type of democracy?
Explanation
The Gram Sabha is the most prominent example of direct democracy in the Indian political system. Unlike representative democracy where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf, the Gram Sabha involves the direct participation of all registered voters in a village. This assembly allows every resident to have a voice in the planning and implementation of local development.
Q37. Consider the following matters regarding the State Finance Commission (SFC):
I. It determines the taxes, duties, and tolls to be assigned to Panchayats.
II. It recommends the grants-in-aid to Panchayats from the State Consolidated Fund.
III. It audits the accounts of the Gram Panchayats.
IV. It recommends measures to improve the financial position of Panchayats.
Which of the above statement(s) reflects the true functions of the SFC?
I. It determines the taxes, duties, and tolls to be assigned to Panchayats.
II. It recommends the grants-in-aid to Panchayats from the State Consolidated Fund.
III. It audits the accounts of the Gram Panchayats.
IV. It recommends measures to improve the financial position of Panchayats.
Which of the above statement(s) reflects the true functions of the SFC?
Explanation
The State Finance Commission is tasked with determining the taxes, duties, and tolls that can be assigned to Panchayats. It also recommends the amount of grants-in-aid given to these bodies from the State’s Consolidated Fund and proposes measures to improve their overall financial health. Auditing the accounts of local bodies is typically the responsibility of the state’s audit department.
Q38. The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a:
Explanation
To ensure the independence and impartiality of the State Election Commission, the Constitution provides that the State Election Commissioner cannot be removed from office except in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of a High Court. This high threshold of security of tenure protects the commissioner from arbitrary removal by the executive or political leadership.
Q39. Who appoints the Chairman and members of the State Finance Commission?
Explanation
The Governor of a state is the constitutional authority responsible for appointing the Chairman and members of the State Finance Commission. This commission is constituted every five years to review the financial position of local government bodies. The Governor also ensures that the recommendations of the commission, along with an explanatory memorandum, are laid before the state legislature for consideration.
Q40. In the context of the challenges faced by local self-government, what does the term ‘Functionaries’ primarily refer to?
Explanation
In the context of local self-government and the "3Fs" framework, the term ‘Functionaries’ specifically refers to the administrative, technical, and bureaucratic personnel who are placed at the disposal of local bodies. For effective governance, it is not enough to transfer powers and funds; local bodies also require skilled human resources to implement projects and manage day-to-day administrative tasks.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (b) Establishing a three-tier system for representation. |
| 32 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 33 | (c) Providing reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayats. |
| 34 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 35 | (a) Community Development Programme, Balwantrai Mehta Committee, Ashok Mehta Committee, 73rd Amendment |
| 36 | (b) Direct democracy |
| 37 | (b) I, II, and IV only |
| 38 | (a) Judge of a High Court |
| 39 | (c) Governor of the State |
| 40 | (a) The bureaucratic staff and technical personnel placed at the disposal of local bodies. |
Key facts from Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
- The Balwantrai Mehta Committee of 1957 examined the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service.
- The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 functional items for Panchayats.
- The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate level; the Gram Panchayat is at the village level and the Zila Parishad at the district level.
- The 74th Amendment, which gave constitutional status to municipalities, came into force on 1 June 1993.
- The District Planning Committee is constituted under Article 243ZD.
- The Governor constitutes a State Finance Commission every five years; reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayats is a voluntary provision.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies?
This page has 65 practice MCQs on Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How many subjects are in the Eleventh Schedule?
29 functional items, covering agriculture, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, education and other matters that may be transferred to Panchayats. It was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
When did the 74th Amendment come into force?
On 1 June 1993. It gave constitutional status to urban local bodies and added Part IXA, with the Twelfth Schedule listing their 18 functions. The 73rd Amendment for Panchayats had come into force earlier, in April 1993.
What is the sequence of urban local bodies?
From the transitional area to the largest city it is Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation. The type of body depends on the population and the nature of the area.