The question asks for the broad meaning of the term 'Panchayati Raj'. This term is fundamental to the Indian political and administrative system, particularly concerning local governance. Understanding its core concept is key to answering this question.
Correct Option: A) Rural local self-government, involving elected bodies at the village and other levels.
The question asks to identify the first committee in independent India that recommended a democratic, three-tier Panchayati Raj system. This requires knowledge of the history of Panchayati Raj institutions and the various committees formed to study and recommend reforms in this area.
Correct Option: A) The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) was indeed the first committee to recommend the establishment of a democratic, three-tier Panchayati Raj system in independent India. Its recommendations were crucial in shaping the initial structure of local self-governance.
The question asks about the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee regarding the structure of Panchayati Raj Institutions. This requires knowledge of the key recommendations made by this significant committee in the history of local self-governance in India.
Correct Option: C) Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad
The question asks to identify the first Indian state to implement the Panchayati Raj system in 1959, based on the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommendations. This requires knowledge of the historical implementation of Panchayati Raj in India.
Correct Option: D) Rajasthan
The question asks to identify the committee that recommended a two-tier Panchayati Raj system with Mandal Panchayat at the base and Zila Parishad at the district level in 1977-78. This requires knowledge of various committees related to Panchayati Raj institutions in India and their specific recommendations.
C) Ashok Mehta Committee. The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-78) was indeed the committee that recommended a two-tier system of Panchayati Raj, comprising the Zila Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayats (covering a group of villages) at the base.
The question asks about the primary recommendation of the G. V. K. Rao Committee (1985) regarding Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the context of rural development administration. Understanding the historical context and purpose of committees on PRIs is key to answering this question.
Correct Option: D) 'Get roots' and act as the primary agencies for rural development and management of local affairs. The G. V. K. Rao Committee observed that Panchayati Raj Institutions were like "grass without roots" due to excessive bureaucratization and lack of genuine decentralization. Therefore, it recommended that PRIs should be strengthened to play a crucial role in planning, implementation, and monitoring of rural development programs, effectively making them the primary agencies for local development and management of local affairs. This would give them the necessary "roots" to function effectively.