Q1. Which committee first recommended the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system in India?
- Ashok Mehta Committee
- Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
- G.V.K. Rao Committee
- L.M. Singhvi Committee
Correct Option: 2. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee.
Explanation: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) was the first to propose the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, emphasizing democratic decentralization. There were other few committees which recommended some form of Panchayati Raj system in India.
1. Ashok Mehta Committee (1977)
Recommended a two-tier system: Zila Parishad and Mandal Panchayat.
Called for constitutional recognition and party-based elections.
Emphasized district-level planning and social audits.
2. Dantwala Committee (1978)
Focused on Block-Level Planning, giving importance to decentralized planning.
Suggested development functions remain largely with administrative units.
3. G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985)
Stressed the role of Zila Parishad in rural development.
Criticized the over-bureaucratization as “grass without roots”.
Recommended District Development Commissioner as the CEO of Zila Parishad.
4. L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986)
Strongly advocated for constitutional protection of PRIs.
Recommended setting up of Nyaya Panchayats and judicial tribunals for PRI disputes.
Highlighted the importance of Gram Sabha.
5. Thungon Committee (1988)
Recommended a three-tier system and constitutional recognition.
Called for reservation for SCs, STs, and women.
Proposed State Finance Commissions and Zila Parishad as planning agencies.
6. V.N. Gadgil Committee (1988)
Recommendations formed the basis of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
7. Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984)
Emphasized District Planning Committees under District Collector or Minister.
Preferred bureaucratic coordination, unlike the Rao Committee which supported PRIs taking the lead.
Q2. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into force in which year?
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1995
Correct Option: 3. 1993.
Explanation: The 73rd Amendment Act was passed in 1992 and came into force on 24 April 1993, giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Q3. Which state was the first to implement the Panchayati Raj system?
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Rajasthan
Correct Option: 4. Rajasthan.
Explanation: Rajasthan was the first state to implement the system on 2 October 1959 in Nagaur district.
Q4. According to the Ashok Mehta Committee, which unit should be the first point of decentralization?
- Mandal
- District
- Block
- Village
Correct Option: 2. District.
Explanation: The committee emphasized district-level planning and recommended Zila Parishad as the executive body.
Q5. Which committee coined the term “grass without roots” to describe the Panchayati Raj system?
- G.V.K. Rao Committee
- L.M. Singhvi Committee
- Ashok Mehta Committee
- Thungon Committee
Correct Option: 1. G.V.K. Rao Committee.
Explanation: The G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) criticized bureaucratic centralization and called the system “grass without roots”.