The Committee which recommended that the Panchayati Raj Institutions should be Constitutionally recognized was
- (a)Ashok Mehta Committee
- (b)K. Santhanam Committee
- (c)L. M. Singhvi Committee
- (d)G. V. K. Rao Committee
Correct — C, the L. M. Singhvi Committee. Set up in 1986, it recommended that Panchayati Raj Institutions be given constitutional recognition and protection, that regular elections be held, and it emphasised the Gram Sabha as an institution of direct democracy. These recommendations fed directly into the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which finally gave PRIs constitutional status (Part IX).
- (a)Ashok Mehta Committee — The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-78) is remembered for recommending a two-tier Panchayati Raj structure and reviving the system after its decline; the specific call for constitutional status is standardly credited to the Singhvi Committee.
- (b)K. Santhanam Committee — The Santhanam Committee (1963) examined Panchayati Raj finances; it did not recommend constitutional recognition of PRIs.
- (d)G. V. K. Rao Committee — The G. V. K. Rao Committee (1985) dealt with administrative arrangements for rural development and recommended regular elections and a district-level role, not constitutional status.
Several committees shaped Panchayati Raj: Balwant Rai Mehta (1957) launched it, Ashok Mehta (1977-78) proposed a two-tier model, G. V. K. Rao (1985) linked it to rural development administration, and L. M. Singhvi (1986) recommended constitutional status. The Singhvi recommendation culminated in the 73rd Amendment, 1992.
The tempting trap is the Ashok Mehta Committee, the most famous of the post-Balwant Rai review bodies. But the committee specifically remembered for 'constitutional recognition' of PRIs is L. M. Singhvi's — it even coined the emphasis on the Gram Sabha.
- L. M. Singhvi Committee (1986) — recommended constitutional status for PRIs
- It stressed the Gram Sabha as a unit of direct democracy
- Its ideas culminated in the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 (Part IX)
- Balwant Rai Mehta (1957) had first recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj
- Choosing the Ashok Mehta Committee — famous, but not the 'constitutional status' recommendation
- Confusing K. Santhanam (PRI finances / and the separate anti-corruption committee) with the constitutional-status recommendation
Committee-to-recommendation matching is a staple. Fix the anchors: Balwant Rai Mehta = introduced PRIs; L. M. Singhvi = constitutional status; 73rd Amendment = actual constitutional recognition.
Consider the following statements: 1. Part IX of the Constitution of India contains provisions for Panchayats and was inserted by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. 2. Part IX A of the Constitution of India contains provisions for municipalities and Article 243Q envisages two types of municipalities - a Municipal Council and a Municipal Corporation - for every state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer(a) 1 only — Part IX (Panchayats) was inserted by the 73rd Amendment.
Same idea — the constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj (Part IX via the 73rd Amendment), the very reform the Singhvi Committee recommended.
The list of powers, authority and responsibilities which may be entrusted to the Panchayats is given in the:
- (a) Eleventh Schedule
- (b) Twelfth Schedule
- (c) Seventh Schedule
- (d) State list
Answer(a) Eleventh Schedule
Same theme — the constitutional Panchayati Raj framework (73rd Amendment / Eleventh Schedule) that the Singhvi Committee's recommendation brought about.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions was granted by which amendment?
- (a)42nd Amendment
- (b)44th Amendment
- (c)73rd Amendment
- (d)74th Amendment
Answer(c) 73rd Amendment, 1992.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The subjects that may be devolved to Panchayats are listed in which Schedule of the Constitution?
- (a)Tenth Schedule
- (b)Eleventh Schedule
- (c)Twelfth Schedule
- (d)Seventh Schedule
Answer(b) Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects).