Community Development and Administration Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which function of the Gram Panchayat focuses on construction and maintenance of public amenities?

Judicial

Socio-Economic

Administrative (correct)

Commercial

What is one of the key roles of the Gram Panchayat in the socio-economic sector?

Managing legal disputes

Supervising agricultural markets

Establishing cooperative credit societies (correct)

Organizing community protests

Under which function does the Gram Panchayat manage health care services in the village?

Socio-Economic (correct)

Judicial

Administrative

Developmental

What type of cases does the Nyay Panchayat handle?

Small civil and criminal disputes up to Rs.500 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the Gram Panchayat?

Providing legal representation in court Signup and view all the answers

What is one developmental function of the Gram Panchayat related to agriculture?

Providing improved seeds and model farms Signup and view all the answers

How does the Gram Panchayat contribute to improving sanitation?

By developing health and sanitation centers Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of the Gram Panchayat in community recreation?

Establishing marriage halls and playgrounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Zila Parishad?

To serve as the apex body for planning and executing development programs at the district level. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a member of the Zila Parishad?

Representatives from state universities Signup and view all the answers

How many members are there in a Zila Parishad at a minimum?

50 Signup and view all the answers

What source of funding does the Zila Parishad primarily rely on?

Income from local taxes and state government grants Signup and view all the answers

Which role does the Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Parishad typically hold?

Appointed by the state government to head the administrative setup Signup and view all the answers

Which function is NOT typically associated with the Zila Parishad?

Conducting international trade Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is one of the functions of the Zila Parishad?

Rendering advice to the government on development schemes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term duration for the elected members of the Zila Parishad?

Five years Signup and view all the answers

What does confusion in administrative arrangement primarily refer to?

Loyalty of extension officers to their departments Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the central government analyzing the performance of the PRI in the early 1990s?

Constitutional amendment to empower panchayats Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Village Development Officer (VDO) have in the administrative structure?

Collecting taxes and mobilizing community participation Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the fragmentation of the administrative structure at the district and block levels?

Lack of clearly defined responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason for the failure of Community Development Projects (CDPs)?

Lack of proper governance Signup and view all the answers

What was Mahatma Gandhi’s viewpoint regarding the importance of villages to the nation?

Villages must be revitalized for national progress Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main limitations of Panchayati Raj institutions before the amendment?

Panchayats had limited functions and powers. Signup and view all the answers

One of the identified causes for the failure of the Panchayati Raj is primarily due to confusion about what?

The roles and responsibilities of different tiers. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the purpose of Article 40 of the Constitution of India?

To organize village Panchayats for self-governance Signup and view all the answers

What did the failure of the two successive five-year plans lead to regarding community development?

The introduction of the Panchayati Raj system Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant obstacle to Panchayati Raj's successful operation as mentioned?

Inadequate representation of weaker sections. Signup and view all the answers

Which committee suggested the Zila Parishad as a forum for planning functions?

Ashok Mehta Working Group. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to the absence of autonomy in Panchayat operations?

State and national plans needing accommodation. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Panchayat budgets are typically committed, limiting their flexibility?

More than 95 percent. Signup and view all the answers

Which body was constituted for planning under the 74th amendment?

District Planning Committee. Signup and view all the answers

What issue does 'absence of coordination' refer to in the context of Panchayati Raj?

Collaboration between local, state, and central authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the constitutional (65th amendment) Bill introduced in July 1989?

To unify the planning committees of rural and urban bodies Signup and view all the answers

What role did the District Planning Committee (DPC) serve in the constitutional amendments?

To draft district development plans by consolidating lower level plans Signup and view all the answers

Which constitutional amendment added new parts titled 'The Panchayats' and 'The Municipalities'?

73rd Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which two constitutional amendment bills were passed in December 1992?

73rd and 74th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred before the national front government introduced the 74th Amendment Bill?

The government shifted from a national front to a congress government Signup and view all the answers

When did the 73rd Amendment Act come into effect?

24th April 1993 Signup and view all the answers

What was the mechanism established to connect rural hinterlands to urban centers?

District Planning Committees Signup and view all the answers

Which Prime Minister's government introduced the 72nd and 73rd Amendment Bills?

PV Narsimha Rao Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Administrative Functions of Gram Panchayat

Fund collection, maintenance of records, budgets, and accounts.
Registration of births and deaths.
Supervision of community orchards and grazing grounds.

Developmental Functions

Preparation and execution of agricultural promotion plans.
Focus on irrigation, cooperatives, and development of cottage & small-scale industries.

Socio-Economic Functions

Construction and maintenance of community infrastructure: playgrounds, libraries, guest houses, and marriage halls.
Promotion of small-scale industries and cooperation among villagers.
Establishment of fair price shops and cooperative credit societies.
Development of recreational spaces: parks, gardens, and playgrounds.
Agricultural development through improved seeds, model farms, and cooperative farming.
Health care development with dispensaries and medical centers focusing on maternal and child care.

Judicial Functions

Panchayat may act as a court in some areas; otherwise, the Nyay Panchayat administers justice.
Deals with petty civil and criminal cases, including minor thefts and disputes.
Monetary disputes restricted to amounts up to Rs. 500.
No imprisonment sentences allowed; can impose fines up to Rs. 200.
No legal representation permitted in these courts.

Zilla Parishad Overview

Apex body of the Panchayati Raj system at the district level, also known as the District Council.
Comprises a minimum of 50 and maximum of 75 members, includes various representatives and officials from the district.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) oversees administrative operations.

Funding Sources for Zilla Parishad

Taxes on water, markets, and pilgrimage.
State government grants proportionate to land revenue.
Funding for assigned works and schemes.
Revenue from local taxes and contributions from panchayats with governmental approval.

Functions of Zilla Parishad

Implementation of development programs and essential services for rural populations.
Supply of improved agricultural seeds and training for farmers.
Construction of irrigation projects and maintenance of grazing lands.
Advises government on implementation of development schemes and runs village schools.
Promotes adult literacy initiatives.

Challenges Faced by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) Before Amendments

Limited functions and powers with inadequate manpower for planning.
Absence of financial autonomy; reliance on state disbursements.
Irregular elections and lack of representation for women and marginalized groups.
Confusion regarding functions and overlapping structures led to inefficiency.

Recommendations for Improvement

Ashok Mehta Working Group suggested Zila Parishad as a primary planning forum.
Emphasis on decentralized governance to allow greater control at the district level.
Implementation of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments to empower local governance structures.

Historical Context

The Panchayati Raj system was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's vision of revitalizing rural India.
Introduction of the system stemmed from failures in community development projects launched in 1952.
The 72nd and 73rd Constitutional Amendments, passed in 1992, established clear guidelines and structures for local governance.
The Acts added Part IX (Panchayats) and Part IXA (Municipalities) to the Indian Constitution, ensuring constitutional status for local bodies.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the functions of Gram Panchayat related to administrative, commercial, and developmental roles. Assess your understanding of socio-economic contributions in community development, including maintenance of public resources and planning for agriculture and industries.