Local Government MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Local Government - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Decentralisation of power.

• Panchayati Raj system is based on the principle of Decentralisation of power.
• Panchayati Raj is an important feature of Indian polity ensuring direct participation of common people (Article 243 G – 243 H) in decision making.
• Under DPSP article 40 it’s mentioned that State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.

• Panchayati Raj system is a system of rural local self-government.
• It was introduced by the 73rd constitutional amendment act,1992.
• In 1882 Lord Rippon provided the democratic framework to local governance. This gave him the title of “father of local self-government in India”.

Important Points

• 24 April is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj day.
• Panchayat was first introduced in Rajasthan.
• Panchayati Raj bill was passed during Narasimha Rao Government.
• The duration of an Elected panchayat is 5 years.
• Election of Panchayat-
  • Before the expiry of the 5-year duration of the current panchayat.
  • In case of dissolution of Panchayat before the expiry of 6 months period.

The correct answer is 2 October 1959; Nagaur; Rajasthan.

Key Points

• In 1959 Panchayati Raj started in India.
• The Panchayats or village assemblies existed in ancient India as self-governing institutions which had distinct and well-defined functions.
• The first Panchayat was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 2 October 1959 at Nagaur in Rajasthan.
• Article 40 of the Indian Constitution talks about the establishment of Panchayats in rural regions.
• Sarpanch is the head of the Panchayat. The members of the gram panchayat are elected from each for a period of five years by the members of Gram Sabha.
• A Panchayat Samiti (block panchayat) is a local government body at the tehsil level.
• This body works for the villages of the tehsil that together are called a development block.
• The Panchayat Samiti is the link between the Gram Panchayat and the district administration. 

Key Points

• Ward Committees in India, as defined by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (74th CAA), are bodies meant to provide a platform for citizen participation in local governance. 
• These committees are mandated to be constituted within municipalities having a population of three lakhs or more. 
  • ​Hence, Statement 1 is CORRECT.
• The primary goal is to foster communication and interaction between the municipal council and the community. 
• The ward councillor (elected representative) is the chairperson of the committee. 
• Ward Committees serve as a platform for voicing community needs and interests, ensuring that these are addressed by the municipal council. 
• State Legislature may make provision for the composition of ward committee.
  • ​​Hence, Statement 2 is CORRECT.

The correct Answer is 915. 

Key Points

• Uttar Pradesh has a total of 915 urban bodies.
• The total number of Nyaya panchayats in Uttar Pradesh is 8135.
• Uttar Pradesh has a total of 18 divisions, 75 districts.

Additional Information 

• Uttar Pradesh has a total of 17 Municipal Corporations.
• There are a total of 226 municipal boards in Uttar Pradesh.
• There are a total of 59163 Gram Sabhas in Uttar Pradesh.

Some facts:

The correct answer is Technical Assistant.

Key Points

• Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a Technical Assistant is officially designated to verify the completion of works in villages.
• The Technical Assistant is responsible for ensuring that the works adhere to the prescribed specifications and quality standards.
• They conduct regular site inspections and prepare detailed reports on the progress and completion of the projects.
• The verification process involves checking the measurements, materials used, and the overall execution of the works to ensure compliance with MGNREGA guidelines.
• Technical Assistants play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the MGNREGA scheme by preventing any discrepancies or misuse of funds.

Additional Information

• MGNREGA
  • Launched on 2nd February 2006, MGNREGA aims to enhance the livelihood security of rural households by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year.
  • The scheme focuses on the creation of durable assets such as roads, canals, ponds, and wells.
  • It is demand-driven, meaning the works are initiated based on the demand for employment by rural households.
  • Transparency and accountability are key components, with social audits being conducted regularly to monitor the implementation.
• Roles and Responsibilities of Gram Panchayat
  • The Gram Panchayat plays a vital role in planning and executing MGNREGA works at the village level.
  • They are responsible for identifying the projects, registering households, and issuing job cards.
  • Gram Panchayats also facilitate the participation of local communities in decision-making processes related to MGNREGA.
  • They ensure that the wage payments are made timely and transparently to the beneficiaries.
• Funding and Financial Management
  • MGNREGA is funded by the central government, with the funds being released to the state governments based on their requirements.
  • Financial management involves rigorous monitoring to prevent any misappropriation of funds.
  • Electronic Fund Management System (eFMS) is used for the timely and transparent disbursement of wages directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
• Social Audits
  • Social audits are conducted to ensure that the works under MGNREGA are carried out transparently and the funds are utilized properly.
  • They involve the active participation of the local community in verifying the records and physical progress of the projects.
  • Social audits help in identifying any irregularities and ensuring accountability at the grassroots level.

The correct answer is ​73rd and 74th Amendment Acts.

• Panchayati Raj Institution was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grassroots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.
• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments were passed by Parliament in December 1992.
  • The Acts came into force as the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 on April 24, 1993.

Key Points

• Article 243 - 243O
  • the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 on June 1, 1993.
• Article 243P-243ZG
• Salient Features of the Constitution 73rd and 74th amendments.
  • Added two new parts in the constitution
  • Part- IX - The Panchayats
  • Part - IXA - The Municipalities
• Article - 40 has a provision regarding organizing panchayat at the village level, attaining self-government.
  • Basic democratic unit- Gram sabha

Additional Information

The three-tier system of PRI

Urban Local bodies

Committee related to PRI

Hint

• Trick to remember committee in chronological order
  • "B.A HoGayaLekinSarkarP.K Kharra hai".

The correct answer is Village Committee.

Key Points

• The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee originally appointed by the Government of India to examine the working of the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service.
• The committee was formed on 16^th January 1957.
• Balwant Rai Mehta was the Chairman of this committee.
• The establishment of a 3-tier Panchayati Raj system is one of the main recommendations of this committee.
• The 3-tier system recommended by this committee is:
  1. Gram Panchayat at the village level.
  2. Panchayat Samiti at the block level.
  3. Zila Parishad at the district level.

Additional Information

Other important recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee are:

• The Panchayat Samiti should be the executive body while the Zila Parishad should be the advisory, coordinating, and supervisory body.
• The District Collector should be the Chairman of the Zila Parishad.

The correct option is Gram Panchayat.

Key Points

• The devolution grant shall be distributed to Village Panchayats, Panchayat Unions, and District Panchayats in the ratio of 60:32:8 respectively as recommended by the Third State Finance Commission.
• A minimum grant of Rs.3 lakhs to each Village Panchayat shall be provided as a measure of equalization, the balance amount shall be distributed based on population.
• The devolution grant shall be distributed within each tier of rural and urban local bodies based on the 2011 population.

Important Points

• Every Panchayat has the right to receive grant-in-aid from the State Fund based on the recommendation made by the State Finance Commission.
• On the recommendation of the State Finance Commission, the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad can collect tax/fees as per the direction of the government.
• Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad respectively constitute Gram Panchayat Fund in the name of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti Fund in the name of Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad Fund in the name of Council, and deposit their funds in the deposit accounts.
• The Assigned/Shared revenues are one which is collected by State Government but transferred/shared to/with local bodies.
• The major sources of assigned/shared revenues to the rural local bodies are Local Cess, Local Cess Surcharge, Surcharge on Stamp duty, Entertainment tax, seigniorage fees, and lease amount of mines and minerals, and sale proceeds of Social Forestry plantations.

Additional Information

• Finance Commission:
  • Finance Com mission is a constitutional body under Article 280 created every five years to recommend the transfer of financial resources from the Centre to the States.
  •  The Commission also decides the principles on which grants-in-aid will be given to the States.
  • The 15th FC was constituted on November 27, 2017, and is headed by Mr. N.K. Singh.
• State Finance Commissions:
  • It is an institution created by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments to rationalize and systematize State/sub-State-level fiscal relations in India.
  • Article 243I of the Constitution mandated the State Governor to constitute a Finance Commission every five years.
  • Article 243Y of the Constitution states that the Finance Commission constituted under article 243I shall also review the financial position of the Municipalities and make recommendations to the Governor.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key PointsSchedule 5 of the Indian Constitution

• The administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes are addressed in the Fifth Schedule. 
• Article 244(1) is directly related to Schedule 5.
  • Ten states currently have Fifth Schedule Areas: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
• The criteria for declaring an area as Scheduled Area are as follows:
  • a preponderance of tribal population;
  • compactness and reasonable size of the area;
  • under-developed nature of the area; and
  • the marked disparity in the economic standard of the people.
• The Governor can make regulations for the peace and good government of a scheduled area after consulting the tribes' advisory council.
• Such regulations may prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by tribal to non-tribal members or among members of the scheduled tribes, and regulate the allotment of land to members of the scheduled tribes. Hence, Option 1 is correct.

• The Panchayati Raj System is described in Part IX of the Indian Constitution. 
• Rajasthan is the first state where this system was first implemented in 1959 in Nagaur District. 
• Later, it also became the first state to have this system placed in all the districts of the state. 
• The 73rd Amendment 1992 is associated with this system in India. 

The correct answer is the  73 ^rd  Amendment.

• The Parliament passed the  73rd Constitutional Amendment Act to grant the Panchayati Raj Institutions in India a legislative status by adding Article 243 and Part IX  of the Indian Constitution.
• Pursuant to Article 243, the Act was imposed on all state governments to amend their Panchayat Laws in compliance with the Constitutional provisions.

Key Points

• The act was passed in 1993 to give constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in India and is an important step in the decentralization of power and promotion of local self-government.
• Panchayati Raj system is a local self-governance system, with constitutional recognition, in villages. In this system, the Gram Panchayat is the basic unit of local administration.
• It is a 3 tier system comprising:
  • Gram Panchayat at the village level.
  • Panchayat Samiti at the block level.
  • Zila Parishad at the District level.

Additional Information

• The 72nd Amendment in the Constitution of India Statement of Objects and Reasons appended to the Constitution (Seventy-Second Amendment) Bill, 1991 (Bill No. 209 of 1991) For restoring peace and harmony in the areas of the State of Tripura where disturbed conditions prevailed, a Memorandum of Settlement was signed by the Government of India with Tripura National Volunteers on 12-8-1988.
• The 7l^St Amendment Of The Constitution Of India, Officially Known As The Constitution (seventy-first Amendment) Act, 1992, amended the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution so as to include Konkani, Meitei (Manipuri), and Nepali languages, thereby raising the total number of languages ​​listed in the schedule to eighteen.
• 75th Amendment in the Constitution of India THE CONSTITUTION (SEVENTY-FIFTH AMENDMENT)  ACT, 1993. It provides for the setting up of State-level Rent Tribunals to exclude the jurisdiction of all courts, except that of the Supreme Court, under Article 136 of the Constitution.

The correct answer is Development officer.

• Panchayat Samiti is an intermediate level of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Chief Executive Officer of Panchayat Samiti is Block Development Officer.
• The development officer is an officer of the State Civil Service.
• Panchayat Samiti is also known by the name of Janpad Panchayat.

Key Points

• Indian polity provides for three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions in India.
  • Gram Panchayat at the village level.
  • Janpad Panchayat or Panchayat Samiti at intermediate level.
  • Zila Panchayat at the district level.

Additional Information

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992, which gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Generally, the CEO of Zila Panchayat is an IAS officer.
• BDO is the Chief Officer of Janpad Panchayat.
• Secretary is appointed at the village level, he calls the gram sabha and keeps records of its proceedings.

The correct answer is Six months from the date of dissolution.

Key Points

• If a Panchayat is dissolved, elections are to be held within six months from the date of dissolution.
• The term Panchayati Raj in India signifies the system of rural local self-government.
• It had been established after the advice of the Balwant Rai Mehta committee, which is established by the Govt. of India in 1957.
• This committee has three-tier panchayat governance such as Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
• As a result of this scheme the first Panchayat system introduced in Rajasthan in 1959.
• This system observed a lack of people's participation.
• To overcome this failure a new committee named Ashok Mehta committee gives a two-tier governance plan in 1977.
• The two-tier plan was Zila Parishad and Mandal Panchayat.
• This Panchayati Raj faced a major constitutional amendment in 1992 that brings back the three-tier system again.
• This amendment added a new part to the Constitution, namely, added Part IX titled The Panchayats.
• This amendment adds a Three-tier system of panchayats at the village, intermediate Mandal, and district levels except in States with a population is below 20 lakhs (Article 243B)
• The Panchayat is constituted under Article 243 to 243 (O)

Additional Information

Duration of Panchayati Raj

• The Act provides for a five-year term of office to all the levels of the panchayat. However, the panchayat can be dissolved before the completion of its term.
• But fresh elections to constitute the new panchayat should be completed before the expiry of its five-year duration.
• In case of dissolution, the election should be within a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

The correct answer is Transport Facilities.

Key Points

Transport facilities are NOT correct.

• The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat.
• The Gram Panchayat is elected for a term of five years.
• The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha.
• The Gram Sabha prevents the Panchayat from illegal activities. 
• The main functions of Gram Panchayat are:
  • The construction and maintenance of water sources, roads, drainage, and other common property resources.
  • Levying and collecting local taxes.
  • Executing government schemes related to generating employment in the village.
  • Providing an adequate number of street lights and paying electricity charges regularly.
  • Establishment & Maintenance of local markets.
  • Prevention of contagious diseases.
  • Constructing an adequate number of community latrines for the use of men and women and maintaining them.
  • Ensuring universal enrollment of children in primary school.
  • Ensuring prompt registration and reporting of birth and deaths.

The correct answer is Rajasthan.

Key Points

• For the first time in modern India, the Panchayati Raj system was implemented on 2nd October 1959 in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Panchayat has been one of the basic systems of Indian society.
• As of date, 2.51 lakh panchayats are operating as per guidelines which include 2.39 lakh gram panchayats, 6904 block panchayats, and 589 district panchayats.
• Rajasthan was the first state to introduce the panchayat system in India after independence. 
• Constitutional 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 provides constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions. 
• This amendment contains provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities to the panchayats by state governments.
• Panchayat has 29 subjects listed in the eleventh schedule of the constitution.
• The Act aims to provide a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj.

Important Points 

• All the members of the Gram Sabha elect a Sarpanch who is the panchayat head.
• The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch from the Gram Panchayat.
• The Gram Panchayat is elected for five years.
• The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha.

Additional Information

• Important committees related to the development of Panchayati Raj:
  • Balwant Rai Mehta (1957).
  • Ashok Mehta Committee (1977).
  • G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985).