Panchayat Raj in Karnataka

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of the Gram Udaya to Bharat Udaya Initiative?

Establish a new municipal corporation

Modify the age limit for contesting elections

Increase the reservation for women in panchayats

Strengthen the Panchayat Raj system (correct)

Which committee is credited with playing a key role in establishing the Panchayat Raj system in India?

Karnataka State Committee

Balwantrai Mehta Committee (correct)

Panchayati Raj Act Committee

Gandhi Committee

What is the minimum age required to contest elections for the gram panchayat?

30 years

18 years

21 years (correct)

25 years

Which amendment to the Constitution granted constitutional status to panchayat raj institutions?

73rd Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What is the term of office for members of a gram panchayat?

Five years Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the gram panchayat?

Conducting national election campaigns Signup and view all the answers

Which tier of the Panchayat Raj system operates at the village level in Karnataka?

Gram panchayat Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of reservation is allocated for women in panchayats?

33% Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum population requirement for a state to implement a three-tier Panchayat Raj system?

20 lakhs Signup and view all the answers

Who is the current chairman of the 16th Finance Commission?

N.K. Singh Signup and view all the answers

Which state was the first to mandate minimum educational qualifications for candidates in Panchayat Raj elections?

Rajasthan Signup and view all the answers

Which committee focused on decentralization in the Panchayat Raj system?

Balwantrai Mehta Committee Signup and view all the answers

How often must the gram sabha meet according to the Panchayat Raj system?

Once every six months Signup and view all the answers

In which year did the Zilla Parishad in Karnataka come into existence?

1987 Signup and view all the answers

What is the fine imposed by the gram panchayat for washing animals in drinking water?

INR 50 Signup and view all the answers

Which institution operates under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj?

Abdul Nazir Saab Institute of Rural Development Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Panchayats

Panchayat Raj is a system of rural and regional mixed governance.
Panchayat Raj is based on democratic decentralization.

Panchayat Raj Institutions in Karnataka

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act came into effect on August 14, 1985 during the tenure of the Ramakrishna Hegde government.
Karnataka has adopted a three-tier system of Panchayat Raj: gram panchayat, taluk panchayat, and zilla panchayat.
The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993 came into effect on May 10, 1993 during the tenure of the Veerappa Moily government.

Key Facts about Panchayats

The reservation for women in panchayats is 33%.
The term of office for the president of a gram panchayat is five years, however, currently, it is two and a half years.
The term of office for members of a gram panchayat is five years.
The minimum age to contest elections is 21 years old.
The State Election Commission conducts elections for gram panchayats.

Gram Udaya to Bharat Udaya Initiative

The goal of the initiative is to strengthen the Panchayat Raj system.

Important Committees and Acts Concerning Panchayats

The Balwantrai Mehta Committee played a crucial role in the establishment of the Panchayat Raj system in India. It was constituted in 1957.
The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution, which came into effect on April 24, 1993, granted constitutional status to panchayat raj institutions.
The 73rd Amendment has been added to the ninth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Panchayat Raj System & Municipal Corporations

The first Municipal Corporation in India was established in Madras (now Chennai) in 1688.
The first gram panchayat in India was established in Nagaur, Rajasthan on October 2, 1959, by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Powers and Responsibilities of Panchayats

The powers of the autonomous district councils in tribal areas extend to executive matters.
The gram panchayat is responsible for providing drinking and bathing water, and ensuring that animals are not washed in it.
The gram panchayat is responsible for providing toilets, enrolling all children in primary schools, and maintaining public roads.
The gram panchayat has the power to levy taxes, fees, and cesses.
The gram panchayat's financial affairs are audited by a Finance Commission appointed by the Governor.
The gram panchayat secretary presents the annual budget during a meeting held between February 1st and March 10th.

Important Details about Panchayats

The Supreme Court ruling on "Hanra" applies to Odisha State.
The minimum population requirement for a State to have a three-tier Panchayat Raj system in accordance with the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 is 20 lakhs.
A special meeting of the gram panchayat can be called by the president if at least one-third of the total members request it in writing.
The gram panchayat can impose a fine of INR 50 for violating the law regarding ensuring that animals are not washed in the water used for drinking and bathing.
The gram sabha must meet at least once every six months.

Financial Aspects of Panchayats

The government provides funding for the establishment of all three levels of panchayats.
The Standing Committees of the gram panchayat are established for agriculture and production, education, public health, and women and children's welfare.
The 11th Finance Commission recommended a time period for panchayat financial development and activities. However, currently, the 16th Finance Commission is in effect with its tenure from 2026 to 2031. The current chairman of the 16th Finance Commission is N. K. Singh.

The Abdul Nazir Saab Institute of Rural Development

The Abdul Nazir Saab Institute of Rural Development is located in Mysore and was established in 1989.
It operates under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

Other Important Details

The Ashutosh Mehta Committee, Balwantrai Mehta Committee, and Rajamannar Committee focused on decentralization while the Sen Committee did not.
The key priority of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee was public participation in community work.
The first state in India to mandate minimum educational qualifications for candidates in Panchayat Raj elections is Rajasthan.
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommended a decentralized planning system based on Panchayat Raj institutions.
The Zilla Parishad in Karnataka came into existence in April 1987.
The three-tier Panchayat Raj system recommended by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee consists of a gram panchayat, taluk panchayat, and zilla panchayat.
The first district to implement the Panchayat Raj system in India was Nagaur in Rajasthan.
Ward meetings must be convened at least once every six months.
Article 40 of the Indian Constitution provides the basis for the implementation of the Panchayat Raj system in India. It is a Directive Principle of State Policy.
In Karnataka, the term for the mayor and deputy mayor of a municipal corporation is one year.
The municipal council's term of office, according to the Karnataka Municipalities Act of 1964, is 30 months.
The District Planning Committee coordinates the plans of municipalities and panchayats.
The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution focuses on reorganizing the panchayat system to create an effective administrative structure in rural areas.
A city in India is defined as having a municipal council, a municipal committee, or a population exceeding 5,000.

Levels of Panchayati Raj

There are three levels in the Panchayati Raj system: Gram, Taluk, and Zilla.

Powers of Panchayati Raj Institutions

The 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution gives Panchayati Raj institutions the authority over 29 subjects.
These subjects are outlined in the 11th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The 40th Article of the Indian Constitution

States must take steps to establish a system of Panchayats (village councils).
Panchayats represent a form of self-governance at the village level.

Dissolution of the Zilla Parishad

The State Government has the power to dissolve the Zilla Parishad.

Reservation for SC/ST in Panchayati Raj Institutions

The 243D provision of the Indian Constitution mandates reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.

Constitutional Provisions for Panchayati Raj Institutions

Panchayati Raj institutions in India are established under the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Indian Constitution.

Adoption of the Comprehensive Panchayati Raj Amendment in Karnataka

The Comprehensive Panchayati Raj Amendment, inspired by the Ashok Mehta Committee report, was approved in Karnataka during the tenure of Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.

Election of Gram Panchayats

The State Election Commission conducts and oversees elections for rural local bodies under Article 243K of the Indian Constitution

Commencement of the Panchayati Raj System

The Panchayati Raj system was initiated in 1959 based on the recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee.

Panchayati Samiti

The Panchayati Samiti is formed at the block (Taluk) level within the Panchayati Raj system.

Karnataka Mandal Panchayati Act

The Karnataka Mandal Panchayati Act came into effect in 1985.

Form 11

Form 11, in Karnataka, is the document issued by a Gram Panchayat for non-agricultural property within its jurisdiction.

Panchayat Raj in India

A system of rural and regional mixed governance based on democratic decentralization.
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957) played a crucial role in establishing the system.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1993) granted constitutional status to Panchayat Raj institutions, adding it to the ninth schedule of the Constitution.
Article 40 of the Indian Constitution provides the basis for its implementation.

Panchayats in Karnataka

The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1985 (August 14, 1985) established the three-tier system: gram panchayat, taluk panchayat, and zilla panchayat.
The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993 (May 10, 1993) followed.

Gram Panchayats

The minimum age to contest elections is 21 years.
Women's reservation is 33%.
The term of office for members is five years, while the president's term is currently two and a half years.
Elections are conducted by the State Election Commission.
Responsibilities include providing drinking and bathing water, ensuring animals aren't washed in it, providing toilets, enrolling children in primary schools, and maintaining public roads.
They have the power to levy taxes, fees, and cesses.
The annual budget is presented by the secretary between February 1st and March 10th.
Financial affairs are audited by a Finance Commission appointed by the Governor.

Gram Sabha

Must meet at least once every six months.
A special meeting can be called at the president's discretion if requested in writing by at least one-third of the members.
Can impose a fine of INR 50 for violating the law regarding ensuring that animals are not washed in the water used for drinking and bathing.

Other Key Facts

The first Municipal Corporation in India was established in Madras (now Chennai) in 1688.
The first gram panchayat in India was established in Nagaur, Rajasthan on October 2, 1959, by Jawaharlal Nehru.
The first state to mandate minimum educational qualifications for Panchayat Raj elections is Rajasthan.
The minimum population requirement for a State to have a three-tier Panchayat Raj system (per the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992) is 20 lakhs.

Financial Aspects

The government provides funding for all three levels of panchayats.
The 11th Finance Commission recommended a timeframe for panchayat financial development.
The 16th Finance Commission (2026-2031) is currently in effect, with N.K. Singh as its chairman.
Standing Committees of the gram panchayat focus on agriculture and production, education, public health, and women and children's welfare.

Initiatives & Organizations

The Gram Udaya to Bharat Udaya initiative aims to strengthen the Panchayat Raj system.
The Abdul Nazir Saab Institute of Rural Development (Mysore, established 1989) operates under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

Committees & Decentralization

The Ashutosh Mehta Committee, Balwantrai Mehta Committee, and Rajamannar Committee focused on decentralization, unlike the Sen Committee.
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee prioritized public participation in community work and recommended a decentralized planning system based on Panchayat Raj institutions.

Historical Developments

The Zilla Parishad in Karnataka came into existence in April 1987.
The first district to implement the Panchayat Raj system in India was Nagaur, Rajasthan.
Ward meetings must be convened at least once every six months.

Supreme Court Ruling

The Supreme Court ruling on "Hanra" applies to Odisha State.

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Description

This quiz covers the system of Panchayat Raj in Karnataka, focusing on its historical context, key facts, and governance structure. Test your understanding of the three-tier system and important legal provisions surrounding Panchayat elections and reservations for women.