Panchayati Raj & 73rd Amendment — Set 18
Revenue & Panchayati Raj · पंचायती राज और 73वां संशोधन · Questions 171–180 of 200
The Vibrant Villages Programme launched in 2023 primarily covers villages located where?
Correct Answer: B. Northern border areas with China
The Vibrant Villages Programme was launched in Budget 2022-23 to develop villages on India's northern border with China. It covers border villages in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh. The programme improves infrastructure, livelihood, and connectivity in remote border villages to prevent migration. It also has national security implications by populating border areas.
Article 243O of the Constitution provides which protection to the Panchayati Raj electoral process?
Correct Answer: B. Bar on court interference in electoral matters
Article 243O bars court interference in electoral matters relating to Panchayats. It states that validity of laws on delimitation of constituencies or allotment of seats cannot be questioned in any court. No Panchayat election can be challenged except by an election petition presented in the manner the State Legislature provides. This provision protects the electoral process from unnecessary judicial intervention.
Article 243N of the Constitution provides for which transitional arrangement?
Correct Answer: B. Continuance of existing laws and Panchayats
Article 243N provides for continuance of existing laws and Panchayats. It states that laws relating to Panchayats in force before the 73rd Amendment shall continue until amended or repealed by a competent Legislature. This transitional provision ensured continuity of Panchayat functioning during the transition period after the amendment. It prevented a sudden legal vacuum after the amendment came into force.
Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) must be completed by which date each year?
Correct Answer: C. December 15
Each Gram Panchayat must complete its GPDP by December 15 of each year. The GPDP is a comprehensive village development plan integrating various centrally sponsored and state schemes. It is prepared through Gram Sabha meetings and must be linked with SDGs. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has made GPDP preparation mandatory for Panchayats to receive Central Finance Commission grants.
The 15th Finance Commission recommended how much total grant to rural local bodies for 2021-26?
Correct Answer: B. Rs 2,36,805 crore
The 15th Finance Commission recommended grants of Rs 2,36,805 crore to rural local bodies for 2021-26. This was a significant increase over 14th Finance Commission grants to enable Panchayats to provide basic services. Grants are divided into tied grants for sanitation and drinking water, and untied grants. Performance grants were made conditional on key benchmarks like publication of accounts and conduct of audits.
Ward sabhas in Panchayati Raj are best described as which type of body?
Correct Answer: B. Sub-units of Gram Sabha comprising voters of individual wards
Ward sabhas are sub-bodies of the Gram Sabha comprising all voters registered in a particular ward of the Gram Panchayat. They are constituted to ensure more participatory democracy at ward level. Ward sabhas identify beneficiaries for welfare schemes, discuss ward-specific problems, and oversee development works. States like Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have actively promoted ward sabhas.
The Nirmal Gram Puraskar was awarded to Panchayats that achieved which distinction?
Correct Answer: B. Complete open defecation free status
The Nirmal Gram Puraskar was launched in 2003 to incentivise Panchayats that achieved full sanitation coverage and became open defecation free. Panchayats ensuring 100% household and school toilets received cash prizes and recognition. The award was an important precursor to the Swachh Bharat Mission launched in 2014. It created a culture of sanitation awareness at the grassroots level.
Article 243E of the Constitution deals with which aspect of Panchayats?
Correct Answer: B. Duration of Panchayats
Article 243E deals with the duration of Panchayats. It provides that every Panchayat shall continue for five years from the date of its first meeting. It mandates that elections shall be completed before expiry of its term or within six months of dissolution. If a Panchayat is dissolved before its term, the new Panchayat continues only for the remainder of the original five-year term.
Participatory budgeting in Panchayati Raj means which of the following?
Correct Answer: B. Gram Sabha members participate in deciding budget priorities
Participatory budgeting allows Gram Sabha members to directly participate in deciding how the Panchayat budget should be spent. It empowers ordinary citizens to set budget priorities and deliberate over community needs. This approach improves accountability and ensures funds are allocated to genuine community needs. Kerala is often cited as a model for participatory budgeting at local government level.
The Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented at village level through which institution?
Correct Answer: A. Gram Panchayat and Village Water and Sanitation Committee
Jal Jeevan Mission launched in 2019 aims to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household. It is implemented at village level through Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs). The Panchayat is responsible for planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of water supply infrastructure. Community participation through Gram Sabha is a key principle of the mission.