The question asks about the authority responsible for conducting Panchayat elections as per the 73rd Amendment Act. This requires knowledge of the constitutional provisions related to local self-governance in India.
D) State Election Commission is the correct answer. As per Article 243K of the Constitution, the State Election Commission is solely responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats.
The question asks to identify the specific Article in the Indian Constitution that defines the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats. This requires knowledge of Part IX of the Constitution, which deals with Panchayats, and the specific articles within it.
B) 243G — Article 243G of the Indian Constitution is titled "Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats." It empowers the Legislature of a State to endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government. This includes the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice, and the implementation of schemes entrusted to them, including those in relation to the matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
The question asks to identify the specific constitutional article that deals with the reservation of seats in Panchayats. This requires knowledge of Part IX of the Indian Constitution, which pertains to Panchayats.
Correct Option: B) 243D — This article explicitly provides for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in Panchayats at all three levels (village, intermediate, and district).
The question asks to identify the chairman of the committee that recommended constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj in 1986. This requires knowledge of the various committees formed to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India and their specific recommendations and timelines.
Correct Option: C) L.M. Singhvi
The question asks to identify the committee that recommended the creation of the post of District Development Commissioner. This requires knowledge of the various committees formed to review and recommend changes in Panchayati Raj Institutions in India.
Correct Option: B) The G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) recommended the creation of the post of District Development Commissioner. This committee viewed the Zila Parishad as the principal body for the management of all development programmes at the district level and suggested that the District Development Commissioner should be the chief executive officer of the Zila Parishad, coordinating all developmental activities.
The question asks for the minimum age required to contest elections to Panchayats in India. This is a direct factual question related to the electoral qualifications for local self-government bodies as defined by the Indian Constitution.
Correct Option: B) 21 years