Local Self Government in India

In addition to three tiers of local government, the following three organisational structures have been created under the Constitution:

(a) Town Planning Committee
(b) District Planning Committee
(c) Metropolitan Planning Committee

Which of the above is/are not organisational structure(s) created under the Constitution?

Balwant Rai Mehta Committee came out with “Democratic Decentralisation” which in common parlance is known as 'Panchayati Raj'. The following were the main recommendations:

(a) Establishment of three-tier system viz. Village, Panchyat Samiti and Zila Parishad.
(b) Panchayat Samiti is the executive body and that of Zila Parishad is advisory and supervisory.
(c) The District Collector is the chairman of Zila Parishad.
(d) Village Panchayat and Panchayat Simiti will have directly elected representatives whereas Zila Parishad should be constituted with indirectly elected members.

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

The 73^rd Amendment Act visualised “Democracy at grass root level”.

(a) Village assembly as the foundation of Public Relation System
(b) Uniform three-tier structure
(c) 1/3 of total seats in Panchayats for women
(d) Pro-rates reservations for SCs and STs
(e) Elections to the panchayat to be conducted under Election Commission of India

Which of the above are correct?

Local self-government is said to serve the local citizenry from “cradle to the grave”. Which of the following are incorrect?

(a) It is a government of local communities for the local communities and by the local communities.
(b) It is the best form of government.
(c) It is subject to intense public gaze and accountability.
(d) The political thinkers Plato and Aristotle endorsed it.

K. Santhanam Committee was appointed to look into Panchayati Raj Institution Finance.
Enumerate its recommendations.
(a) Panchayat should have powers to levy tax on land revenues.
(b) All grants and subventions to be mobilised at state level and sent to PRIs.
(c) A Panchayat Raj Finance Corporation to be set up to look into financial resources of PRIs.
(d) Home taxes were to be out of the purview of Panchayats.

Which of the above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements in regad to the 74^th Constitution Amendment Act of 1992:
(a) It granted statutory status to local govt.
(b) It granted constitutional status to local govt.
(c) Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) became third tier of government.
(d) Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) became autonomous bodies.

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

The 73^rd and 74^th amendments to the Constitution of India brought about a paradigm shift in the governance of the country. Consider the following:
(a) A new tier was introduced called the Local Self Govt.
(b) Autonomy at grass root (foundation) level.
(c) Decentralisation of finance and functions.
(d) Ensuring social justice and local economic development.

Which of the above you do not agree to?

Consider the following statements about the devolution of political fiscal and administration powers to sub-national tiers of government.
(a) It formed part of World Bank funding
(b) Disillusionment with centralised planning
(c) Lackadaisical attitude of state governments
(d) Corruption at higher levels

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

Enumerate the main recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee.

(a) Three-tier system got replaced by two-tier system.
(b) Zila Parishad assumed the role of executive body.
(c) Official participation of all political parties in Panchayat elections at all levels took place.
(d) Panchayati Raj institutions were divested of powers of taxations.
(e) Nyaya Panchayats and Development Panchayats became separate bodies.

Which of the above is/are incongruous?

Constitutional Amendment Act and its efficacy only conjured up a mixed feeling.
(a) It led to the empowerment of weaker sections of the society.
(b) It rationalised the transfer system.
(c) It contributed to emancipation of women.
(d) It contributed to institutional capacity development of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Which of the above is/are correct?

Following are the salient features of the amendments:
(a) Panchayat in rural areas and municipalities in towns (Urban).
(b) A three-tier system for states with a population over 2.5 million.
(c) 1/3 of seats for women.
(d) The term of office for elected members of these bodies is 3 years.
(e) The local governments to generate resources from various taxes tolls, rent, etc.

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

Due to industrialisation, the process of urbanisation is going at an accelerated pace. Discuss the problems being confronted by local urban governments. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
(a) Migration from rural areas
(b) Population explosion
(c) Traffic congestions
(d) Growth of slums
(e) Pollution

Which of the above you do not agree to?