Local Self-Government MCQ: District Planning Committee, Nyaya Panchayat & the L.M. Singhvi Committee

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

1. Q1.The District Planning Committee (DPC) is mentioned in which Article?

   • A.Article 243ZC
   • B.Article 243ZD✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 243ZE
   • D.Article 243ZF

   Explanation: Article 243ZD deals with the Committee for District Planning.

2. Q2.Who appoints the Chief Executive Officer of a Cantonment Board?

   • A.State Governor
   • B.President of India✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Station Commander
   • D.Ministry of Urban Development

   Explanation: The executive officer of the cantonment board is appointed by the President of India.

3. Q3.The 'Special Purpose Agency' is established for:

   • A.General administration of a city
   • B.Single purpose or specific functions✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Collecting taxes only
   • D.Conducting elections

   Explanation: These are function-based agencies established to look after specific functions like water supply, electricity, or housing boards.

4. Q4.Which committee recommended that the District Collector should be the Chairman of the Zila Parishad?

   • A.Balwant Rai Mehta Committee✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ashok Mehta Committee
   • C.Hanumantha Rao Committee
   • D.G.V.K. Rao Committee

   Explanation: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended that the District Collector should be the Chairman of the Zila Parishad.

5. Q5.The reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats is based on:

   • A.Fixed percentage of 15%
   • B.Fixed percentage of 7.5%
   • C.Proportion to their population✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Discretion of the Governor

   Explanation: Article 243D states that seats shall be reserved for SCs and STs in every panchayat in proportion to their population in the panchayat area.

6. Q6.Who is empowered to authorize a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate taxes?

   • A.Parliament
   • B.State Legislature✓ Correct Answer
   • C.State Finance Commission
   • D.District Collector

   Explanation: The State Legislature may, by law, authorize a panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees.

7. Q7.What is the primary difference between a Municipal Corporation and a Municipal Council?

   • A.Corporation is for smaller areas, Council for larger
   • B.Corporation is for larger urban areas, Council for smaller✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Corporation has no Mayor
   • D.Council members are nominated

   Explanation: A Municipal Corporation is created for the administration of big cities (larger urban areas), whereas a Municipal Council is for smaller urban areas.

8. Q8.The 'Mayor-in-Council' system, similar to the Cabinet system, consists of:

   • A.Mayor and Members of Parliament
   • B.Mayor and Councillors appointed by him✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Commissioner and Mayor
   • D.Governor and Mayor

   Explanation: The Mayor-in-Council system consists of the Mayor and a few Councillors appointed by him, functioning like a cabinet in the municipality (found in Kolkata/West Bengal).

9. Q9.Which of the following is a 'Voluntary Provision' of the 73rd Amendment Act?

   • A.Setting up a State Finance Commission
   • B.Fixing tenure of 5 years
   • C.Granting financial powers to levy taxes✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Direct elections to all seats

   Explanation: Granting financial powers to the panchayats to levy taxes and fees is a voluntary provision left to the state legislature.

10. Q10.The District Planning Committee drafts the development plan for the district as a whole and submits it to:

    • A.Central Government
    • B.State Government✓ Correct Answer
    • C.NITI Aayog
    • D.District Collector

    Explanation: The chairperson of the District Planning Committee forwards the development plan to the State Government.

11. Q11.Which Article of the Constitution deals with the 'Powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities'?

    • A.Article 243W✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 243X
    • C.Article 243Y
    • D.Article 243Z

    Explanation: Article 243W deals with the powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities, etc.

12. Q12.The 'Nyaya Panchayat' is established for what purpose?

    • A.To collect revenue
    • B.To administer petty civil and criminal justice✓ Correct Answer
    • C.To conduct elections
    • D.To audit accounts

    Explanation: Nyaya Panchayats are judicial panchayats established to try petty civil and criminal cases in rural areas.

13. Q13.Who was the chairman of the committee on 'Revitalisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions for Democracy and Development' (1986)?

    • A.G.V.K. Rao
    • B.L.M. Singhvi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ashok Mehta
    • D.C.H. Hanumantha Rao

    Explanation: The L.M. Singhvi Committee was appointed in 1986 with the specific theme of 'Revitalisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions'.

14. Q14.Under the 74th Amendment, seats are reserved for SCs and STs in every Municipality:

    • A.Equally among both groups
    • B.In proportion to their population in the municipal area✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Only if population is above 50%
    • D.Based on the State List

    Explanation: Seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in every municipality in proportion to their population in the municipal area.

15. Q15.A 'Township' form of urban government is typically established by:

    • A.State Legislature
    • B.Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Municipal Corporation
    • D.District Collector

    Explanation: Townships are established by large public enterprises (PSUs) to provide civic amenities to their staff and workers living in housing colonies near the plant.

16. Q16.Which of the following committees was NOT appointed by the Central Government regarding Panchayati Raj?

    • A.Ashok Mehta Committee
    • B.Naik Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • C.L.M. Singhvi Committee
    • D.Thungon Committee

    Explanation: The Naik Committee was appointed by the Maharashtra Government. The others were Central Government committees.

17. Q17.The term 'Gram Sabha' consists of:

    • A.All people living in the village
    • B.All elected members of the Panchayat
    • C.All registered voters in the village within the Panchayat area✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Only the elders of the village

    Explanation: The Gram Sabha is a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village comprised within the area of a Panchayat.

18. Q18.Which Schedule of the Constitution lists the 29 functional items of the Panchayats?

    • A.Eleventh Schedule✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Twelfth Schedule
    • C.Tenth Schedule
    • D.Ninth Schedule

    Explanation: The Eleventh Schedule contains the 29 functional items of the Panchayats (added by the 73rd Amendment).

19. Q19.Who determines the conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner?

    • A.President of India
    • B.Parliament
    • C.Governor of the State✓ Correct Answer
    • D.State Legislature

    Explanation: The conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner are determined by the Governor.

20. Q20.The Thungon Committee (1988) is significant because it recommended:

    • A.Abolition of Panchayati Raj
    • B.Constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj bodies✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Two-tier system only
    • D.Direct elections for District Collector

    Explanation: The Thungon Committee (Consultative Committee of Parliament) recommended that Panchayati Raj bodies should be constitutionally recognized.