MCQs Based On Political Science- (76)

Correct Option: 1. G.V.K. Rao Committee.
Explanation: The Planning Commission appointed the G.V.K. Rao Committee to assess rural development and PRIs.

Correct Option: 2. V.N. Gadgil Committee.
Explanation: The V.N. Gadgil Committee (1988) was set up by the Congress party as the Committee on Policy and Programmes, specifically to examine how the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) could be made more effective. Its recommendations became the blueprint for the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which gave PRIs constitutional status.
Following are the key suggestions of the Gadgil Committee:
✅ 1. Constitutional Status
Panchayati Raj Institutions should be granted constitutional recognition to ensure their protection, regular functioning, and autonomy.
✅ 2. Three-Tier Structure
A uniform three-tier system across the country:
Gram Panchayat (village level)
Panchayat Samiti (block level)
Zila Parishad (district level)
✅ 3. Fixed Tenure
The tenure of PRIs should be fixed at 5 years.
There should be no arbitrary dissolution by state governments.
✅ 4. Direct Elections
Direct elections should be held for all three levels of Panchayati Raj bodies.
✅ 5. Reservations
Reservation of seats for:
Scheduled Castes (SCs)
Scheduled Tribes (STs)
Women (which later became 1/3rd of total seats in the 73rd Amendment)
✅ 6. Functional Responsibilities
PRIs should be entrusted with the preparation and implementation of socioeconomic development plans.
A list of subjects should be clearly specified in the Constitution (which later became the Eleventh Schedule).
✅ 7. Taxation Powers
Panchayats should have the power to levy, collect, and appropriate local taxes, duties, tolls, and fees, giving them financial autonomy.
✅ 8. State Finance Commission (SFC)
A State Finance Commission should be established in every state to decide how state revenue should be shared with Panchayati Raj bodies.
✅ 9. State Election Commission (SEC)
A State Election Commission should be set up to conduct free, fair, and regular elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
These comprehensive suggestions addressed the political, financial, administrative, and developmental roles of PRIs, and their essence was incorporated into the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992).

Correct Option: 3. Panchayat Samiti.
Explanation: The committee recommended that Panchayat Samiti should be the executive authority.

Correct Option: 3. 5 years.
Explanation: A five-year tenure was consistently recommended by committees including Thungon and Gadgil Committees.

Correct Option: 1. Planning and development unit.
Explanation: In the Maharashtra-Gujarat pattern, the Zila Parishad was the central planning and development authority.