Local Self-Government MCQ: PESA Act, Ward Committees & the Twelfth Schedule

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which Article deals with the disqualifications for membership of Panchayats?

   • A.Article 243E
   • B.Article 243F✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 243G
   • D.Article 243H

   Explanation: Article 243F deals with disqualifications for membership of Panchayats.

2. Q2.Under PESA, who owns the minor forest produce?

   • A.State Government
   • B.Forest Department
   • C.Gram Sabha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Private Contractors

   Explanation: PESA Act grants the ownership of minor forest produce to the Gram Sabha or Panchayats at the appropriate level.

3. Q3.Which body is responsible for making recommendations to the Governor regarding the distribution of taxes between the State and Panchayats?

   • A.State Planning Commission
   • B.State Finance Commission✓ Correct Answer
   • C.District Planning Committee
   • D.Zila Parishad

   Explanation: The State Finance Commission recommends the principles governing the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the state and panchayats.

4. Q4.In which year was the 'Community Development Programme' replaced by 'National Extension Service'?

   • A.1952
   • B.1953✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1955
   • D.1957

   Explanation: The National Extension Service was launched in 1953 as a prologue to CDP to cover a wider area with less funds.

5. Q5.The Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984) was appointed to recommend on:

   • A.District Planning✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Panchayati Raj Elections
   • C.Financial Resources
   • D.Community Development

   Explanation: The Working Group on District Planning (1984) was chaired by C.H. Hanumantha Rao.

6. Q6.The 74th Amendment Act applies to which of the following areas?

   • A.Scheduled Areas
   • B.Tribal Areas
   • C.Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Area
   • D.None of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Actually, the Act does NOT apply to Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas referred to in Article 244, nor to the DGHC area. So 'None of the above' are areas where it applies.

7. Q7.Who is the administrative head of a Municipal Corporation?

   • A.Mayor
   • B.Municipal Commissioner✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Councillor
   • D.Chief Minister

   Explanation: The Municipal Commissioner is the administrative head and chief executive officer.

8. Q8.The 'District Planning Committee' consolidates plans prepared by:

   • A.Panchayats only
   • B.Municipalities only
   • C.Panchayats and Municipalities✓ Correct Answer
   • D.State Government

   Explanation: The DPC consolidates plans prepared by the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the district.

9. Q9.Under Article 243G, the Legislature of a State may endow the Panchayats with powers and authority to function as:

   • A.Institutions of Self-Government✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Institutions of Central Government
   • C.Agents of Collector
   • D.Judicial Bodies

   Explanation: Article 243G enables Panchayats to function as institutions of self-government.

10. Q10.Which of the following creates the 'Port Trusts'?

    • A.Act of Parliament✓ Correct Answer
    • B.State Legislature Act
    • C.Executive Order
    • D.Constitutional Amendment

    Explanation: Port Trusts are created by an Act of Parliament.

11. Q11.Which article of the Constitution deals with the constitution of Ward Committees in Municipalities?

    • A.Article 243R
    • B.Article 243S✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 243T
    • D.Article 243U

    Explanation: Article 243S provides for the constitution and composition of Wards Committees in municipalities having a population of three lakhs or more.

12. Q12.The Cantonment Boards are established under which Act?

    • A.Cantonments Act, 1924
    • B.Cantonments Act, 2006✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Municipalities Act, 1992
    • D.Defense of India Act, 1962

    Explanation: Cantonment Boards are established under the Cantonments Act of 2006 (which replaced the 1924 Act) for municipal administration for civilian population in cantonment areas.

13. Q13.A Cantonment Board works under the administrative control of which Ministry?

    • A.Ministry of Home Affairs
    • B.Ministry of Urban Development
    • C.Ministry of Defence✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ministry of Rural Development

    Explanation: A Cantonment Board works under the administrative control of the Defence Ministry of the Central Government.

14. Q14.The 'Notified Area Committee' is created for which type of area?

    • A.Fully developed urban area
    • B.Industrial township only
    • C.Fast developing town or town not yet fulfilling municipality conditions✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Rural area holding weekly markets

    Explanation: It is created for two types of areas: a fast-developing town due to industrialization, or a town which does not yet fulfill all conditions for a municipality but is considered important.

15. Q15.How many functional items are contained in the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution?

    • A.18✓ Correct Answer
    • B.29
    • C.25
    • D.20

    Explanation: The Twelfth Schedule contains 18 functional items placed within the purview of municipalities.

16. Q16.Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Cantonment Board?

    • A.District Collector
    • B.Station Commander of the Cantonment✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Elected Representative
    • D.Defense Secretary

    Explanation: The Military Officer commanding the station (Station Commander) is the ex-officio president of the cantonment board.

17. Q17.Which urban local body is established by an act of the State Legislature for the administration of small towns?

    • A.Municipal Corporation
    • B.Town Area Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Port Trust
    • D.Special Purpose Agency

    Explanation: A Town Area Committee is set up by a separate act of a state legislature for the administration of a small town.

18. Q18.Port Trusts are established in port areas like Mumbai and Kolkata by:

    • A.Act of State Legislature
    • B.Act of Parliament✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Order of the Governor
    • D.Resolution of Municipal Corporation

    Explanation: Port Trusts are established by an Act of Parliament to manage and protect the ports and to provide civic amenities.

19. Q19.Which article deals with the duration of Municipalities?

    • A.Article 243T
    • B.Article 243U✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 243V
    • D.Article 243W

    Explanation: Article 243U states that every municipality shall continue for 5 years from the date appointed for its first meeting.

20. Q20.Under Article 243ZD, who is responsible for the election of members to the District Planning Committee?

    • A.State Election Commission
    • B.Elected members of Zila Parishad and Municipalities✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Governor
    • D.District Collector

    Explanation: Four-fifths of the members of a DPC are elected by the elected members of the district panchayat and municipalities in the district from amongst themselves.