Local Self Government in Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
78 RAS Prelims MCQs on local self-government in Rajasthan cover the history and structure of Panchayati Raj and the municipal system. The early Panchayat laws of the princely states, the three tiers, the Zila Pramukh, the State Finance Commission, the Rajasthan Municipalities Act 2009 and the 73rd Amendment are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 78 questions
Explanation
The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution lists eighteen functional items for urban local bodies. These focus on civic infrastructure and public services. Specifically, it includes public health, sanitation, conservancy, and solid waste management. While items like agriculture and animal husbandry are important, they are primarily listed in the Eleventh Schedule, which details the functions assigned to rural Panchayati Raj Institutions.Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Ward Committees in Rajasthan serve as a vital tool for urban decentralisation.
Reason (R): They allow for closer interaction between the citizens of a specific ward and their elected representatives regarding local issues. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Ward Committees are essential for urban decentralization in large cities. They provide a formal platform where residents can interact closely with their elected representatives. This mechanism ensures that the specific concerns of a neighborhood are addressed efficiently. By involving citizens in the decision-making process at the ward level, these committees enhance the transparency and responsiveness of urban governance.Explanation
Local self-government bodies in Rajasthan frequently face a shortage of personnel. This issue often stems from the limited ability of these bodies to generate their own revenue to pay for staff. Consequently, they become overly reliant on officials deputed from various state government departments. This reliance can lead to administrative delays and a lack of specialized technical staff at the local level.I. Enactment of Bikaner Gram Panchayat Act.
II. Implementation of the Rajasthan Panchayat Act.
III. Nagaur experiment inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru.
IV. Enactment of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act to comply with the 73rd Amendment.
V. First elections held under the new 73rd Amendment compliant Act.
Which combination represents the correct chronological order of these events?
Explanation
The history of Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan followed a logical progression. It began with princely state legislations like the Bikaner Gram Panchayat Act. After independence, the Rajasthan Panchayat Act was implemented. The system was then formally inaugurated in Nagaur in 1959. Finally, following the 73rd Amendment, the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act was enacted, followed by new democratic elections.Explanation
Rajasthan holds the distinction of being the first state to implement the modern three-tier Panchayati Raj system. This historic event took place on 2 October 1959, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The inauguration by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Nagaur marked a major step toward fulfilling the constitutional dream of democratic decentralization and rural self-governance.| Committee on Local Government | Core Recommendation/Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Balwantrai Mehta Committee | i. Constitutional status for Panchayats |
| B. Ashok Mehta Committee | ii. Two-tier Panchayati Raj system |
| C. L. M. Singhvi Committee | iii. Three-tier Panchayati Raj system |
| D. G. V. K. Rao Committee | iv. Emphasized regular elections and planning role |
Explanation
Several committees have shaped the evolution of local governance in India. The Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommended the three-tier system. The Ashok Mehta Committee later suggested a two-tier model. The L. M. Singhvi Committee was instrumental in advocating for constitutional status for these bodies. Meanwhile, the G. V. K. Rao Committee emphasized the importance of regular elections and the role of planning.Explanation
The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, is organized into several chapters that detail various aspects of rural governance. Specifically, Chapter II of the Act contains the legal provisions related to the Ward Sabha and the Gram Sabha. These sections define the composition, powers, and functions of these primary democratic bodies, ensuring they serve as the foundation of the village-level administration.Explanation
Establishing a Gram Panchayat in Rajasthan requires meeting certain demographic criteria. According to the general administrative norms, a village or a group of adjacent villages must have a minimum population of 3,000 to qualify for its own Gram Panchayat. This threshold ensures that the body is viable and represents a sufficient number of residents to justify a formal local administrative structure.I. The Sarpanch presides over the meetings of the Gram Sabha.
II. The Sarpanch maintains the records of the Gram Panchayat.
III. The Sarpanch has the authority to sanction agricultural loans directly to farmers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sarpanch is the elected leader of the Gram Panchayat and holds significant responsibilities. These include presiding over Gram Sabha meetings and maintaining the official records of the Panchayat. However, while the Sarpanch oversees village development, they do not have the legal authority to directly sanction agricultural loans to farmers. Financial credit services are managed by specialized banking and cooperative institutions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (a) Appointed by State Government Acts as Chief Executive Officer Implements Council Resolutions |
| 42 | (c) Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management. |
| 43 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 44 | (b) Limited independent revenue generation leading to over-reliance on state-deputed staff. |
| 45 | (a) I, II, III, IV, V |
| 46 | (c) 2 October 1959 |
| 47 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
| 48 | (b) Chapter II - Provisions relating to Ward Sabha and Gram Sabha |
| 49 | (b) 3,000 |
| 50 | (a) I and II only |
Key facts from Local Self Government in Rajasthan
- Bikaner State was the first princely state in Rajasthan to enact a Gram Panchayat Act, in 1928.
- The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate tier of the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure in Rajasthan.
- A Zila Pramukh resigns by a written resignation to the Divisional Commissioner.
- The Governor constitutes the State Finance Commission for a term of five years.
- The Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009 consolidated and amended the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 1959.
- The 73rd Amendment added Part IX to the Constitution; the elected head of a Municipal Corporation is the Mayor; a village of 2,500 people has a Sarpanch.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Local Self Government in Rajasthan?
This page has 78 practice MCQs on Local Self Government in Rajasthan (Rajasthan Polity and Administration). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which princely state first enacted a Gram Panchayat law in Rajasthan?
Bikaner State, in 1928. The Bikaner Gram Panchayat Act was an early step in village self-government, long before the Panchayati Raj system began in Rajasthan with its launch at Nagaur in 1959.
Which Part did the 73rd Amendment add to the Constitution?
Part IX, which deals with the Panchayats, from Article 243 to Article 243O. It also added the Eleventh Schedule, and Article 243K provides for the State Election Commission.
How long is the term of the State Finance Commission?
Five years. The Governor constitutes the State Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and municipalities and to recommend how revenues are shared and grants are given.