TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

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Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material 6th Lesson Local Government Textbook Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material 6th Lesson Local Government

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Write about a brief historical background of local governments in India.
Answer:
Historical Background :
Local governments in India have a long historical background. The Rigveda the oldest of four Vedas, mentioned two institutions namenly. Sabha and Samithi which performed several administrative and political functions at community level. They were the effective administrative state structures at local levels in ancient period. They relate to village panchayats and caste panchayats. Which managed the administrative and judicial affairs of a village community. These institutions continued for several years even without the effective support of the ruling classes of the time. Many eminent writers like Megasthanes Kautilya and Fahieh have cited the existence of these bodies in their writings.

In medieval period, village panchayats flourished during the Chola Dynasty in South India. The Cholas were renowed for their patronage of the local bodies. However, the local governments of the present form is attributes to the efforts of some British Officers at higher levels. They developed these bodies to promote the colonial interests. Lord Mayo’s Resolution (1870) and Lord Rippon’s Resolution (1882) paved the way for the progress of these institutions in India; Earlier the East India Company established the Municipal Corporation of Madras in 1688 with the consent of Emperor George II. Some Mayor courts were setup in Madras in 1726 for collecting taxes and administering justice.

The Regulating Act of 1773 paved the way for the establishment of local governments, at Calcutta (Kolkota), Madras and Bombay (Mumbai). Lord Rippon, the Governor General of India moved the famous resolution for devolving financial and administrative powers to the local governments. His resolution is known as the Magna Carta of Local Governments in India. He was described as the father of local self-governments in India. Later on the successive British rulers in India have intiated many steps for providing more authority to the local bodies. Some of the notable legal enactments are Bengal Municipalities Act, 1884.

Bengal Local Governments Act 1885, Bengal village self-government Act, 1919 etc. The Royal Commission on Decentralizatin headed by Sir Charles Hobhouse up of village panchayats, constitution of district boards, entrusting primary obligations to municipalities etc. The Government of India Act 1919 introduced diarchy at state level. It gave impetus to the local governments. It empowered the Indian ministers to take decisions in regard to the maintenance of local bodies.

The Government of India Act 1935 assigned the provincial governments with the obligation of making the local bodies energetic and efficient. It placed the subject of Local Self Government under Entry 12 of the provincial governments. Consequently many provincial governments paused Acts delegating the local governments the powers of administration including criminal justice to the panchayats. Prominent leaders of national movements live Mahatma Gandhi suggested the cause of local governments. Gandhi supported the cause of local governemnts.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

Question 2.
Describe the main provisions of the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act, 1992.
Answer:
The Union Government headed by the Prime Minister RV. Narasimha Rao strongly felt the need for immediate grant of constitutional status to the Panchayat Raj Institutions. It introduced a Bill to that effect in the Parliament in September 1991. Later, the bill was referred to a joint select committee which studied the former and submitted its report in July 1992. The; bill was accepted by the Parliament and the same was referred to the state legislatures for their approval. As majority state legislative assemblies accepted the Bill, it became an Act in the name of the constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992. The Act came into force April 24, 1993.

The Act reinserted Part IX which was deleted by the constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956 and added a new schedule, namely 11th Schedule. The Act deals with Articles 243 to 243(0) of the Indian Constitution.

Main provision of the act :
1. Gram Sabha :
Article 243 (A) deals with the Gram Sabha. Every village has to have a Gram Sabha consisting of all registered voters of a village. It shall meet atleast twice a year.

2. Constitution of Panchayat :
The Act envisages a uniform three tier system of Panchayats at Rural level throughout the Country.
They are : Gram panchayat at village level 2) Mandal Parishad or Pahchayat Samithi at Mjandal level and 3) Zilla Parishad at District level.

3. Reservation of Seats :
The Act provides reservations in Panchayat Raj institutions for SCs, STs and BCs proportion to thjeir population. It also provides 1/3 of seats reserved for women.

4. Duration of Panchayat :
The Duration of Panchayat is five years at every level. Incase of dissolution, election should be conducted within six months.

5. Composition of Panchayat:
Every Gram Panchayat comprises four organs, namely,
i) Panchayat
ii) Sarpanch,
iii) Panchayat Secretary and
iv) Gram Sabha.

6. Qualifications and Disqualifications :
The Act specified qualifications and disqualifications of the candidate to contest the Panchayats. i) He should be of 21 years of age ii) He should be voter in that area iii) He shall not hold any office of profit, iv) He should pay an amount as deposit specified by the State Legislature.

7) Powers and Functions :
Article 243 (G) explains the powers and functions of the Panchayats. It has powers on 29 items listed in the XIth schedule of the constitution. They are Agriculture,

Health and Sanitation, Drinking water, Fisheries, Social Foresty, Rural housing, Roads etc.

8) State Finance Commission :
Article 243(1) provides for the state finance commission. The governor of the state shall constitute a finance commission for every five years. It shall make the following recommendations to the Governor i) To review the financial position of the Panchayats ii) The distributioin of Funds between the state and Panchayats iii) The grants-in-aid to the Panchayats from the consolidated fund of the state. It consists of a chairman and four other members.

9) State Election Commission :
Article 243(K) explains how the state Election Commission is to ensure free and fair elections to the Panchayats. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the governor to perform the following functions.

  1. To prepare and update the electoral rolls of the voters for Panchayat elections.
  2. To conduct free and fair elections to the Panchayats
  3. To allot symbols to the contesting candidate during the elections.

Question 3.
Mention the main provisions of the 74th Constitution Amendment Act, 1992.
Answer:
The constitution seventy-fourth Amendment Act, 1992 was approved by the parliament in December, 1992. It was regarded as a progressive step in strengthening the urban local bodies in India. It provided a common frame work for the effective functioning of these bodies. The Act came into force on June 1, 1993.

Main Provisions :
The main provisions of the Act are as follows :
1) Constitution of Municipalities :
The Act provides three kinds of urban local governments in every state. They are : i) Nagar Panchayat ii) Municipality and iii) Municipal Corporation.

2) Composition of Municipalities :
All members of urban local bodies shall be elected directly or indirectly by the people respective areas. They are councillors to Nagar Panchayat and municipalities and corporators to municipal corporations. Chairpersons, Vice-chairpersons, and Mayors and Deputy mayors should be elected by the members of the urban local bodies. MLAs, MPs, and MLCs are also exofficio members of their respective urban local bodies.

3) Reservation of Seats :
The Act provides reservations in urban local bodies for SCs, STs and BCs in proportion to their population. It provides 1/3 of seats reserved for women.

4) Duration of Municipality :
The duration of urban local bodies is five years at every level. In case of dissolution, election should be conducted within six months.

5) Qualifications and Disqualifications :
The Act specified qualifications and disqualifications of the candidate to contest in urban local bodies, i) He should have completed 21 years of age ii) He should be a voter in the area iii) He should not hold any office of profit iv) He should pay an amount as deposit specified by the state legislature.

6) Powers and Functions :
Article 243(W) explains the powers and functions of the urban local bodies. It has powers on 18 items listed in XIIth schedule of the constitution. They are urban planning, public health, sanitation, fire services, burial grounds, roads and bridges etc.

7) State Finance Commission :
State Finance Commission, which is constituted for the Panchayats under Article 243(l), shall also review the financial position of the urban local bodies and forward necessary recommendations to the governor.

8) State Election Commission :
State Election commission, which is constituted for the Panchayats under Article 243(K) is entitled to conduct elections to urban local bodies.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

Question 4.
Write a brief note on Telangana Panchayat Raj Act of 2018.
Answer:
On the basis of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, erst while Andhra Pradesh Government enacted the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act 1994 that came into existence on 30th May 1994. After the formation of Telangana as a separate State on 2nd June 2014 the old Act was continued in the State. Subsequently, the Telangana Government led by K. Chandra Shekar Rao, enacted a new law namely the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2018. This new Act was came into existence on 18th April 2018. The main objectives of the new Act are to strengthening the local governments in Telangana and fulfill the ambitions and aspirations of the new state. It consists of 297 sections, VIII schedules, and 9 parts.

Main Features of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act :
1) Three-Tier System :
Provides for a three-tier Panchayat Raj system i.e., Grama Panchayat at village level. Mandal Praja Parishad at Mandal level and Zilla Praja Parishad at District level.

2) Qualifications and Disqualifications :
The Act specified grounds for qualifications and disqualifications of my candidate contesting for any Panchayat post
a) He/she should be completed the age of 21 years.
b) He/she shold be voter in the area.
c) He/she should not possess any profitable income post of the Government.
d) He/she should pay an amount as deposit specified by the state legislature.
e) He/she is not elibigle for having more than two children after 30 may, 1999.

Explanation :
A person having more than two children before 31st may, 1995 shall not be disqualified so long as the number of children does not increase.

3) Reservations :
This Act provides reservations in all tiers to SCs & STs on the basis of proportion their population 34% seats are reserved for BCs and 50% seats reserve for women. The reservations shall be rotated every two consecutive terms.

4) Duration of Panchayat :
The duration of Panchayat is five years at every level. Incase of dissolution, election should be conducted within six months. But, where the remaining of the period is less than six months for any vacancy, it shall not be necessary to hold any election fo rremaining period.

5) Powers and Functions :
This Act provides powers and functions of the Panchayats. It has power on 29 items listed in XIth schedule of the constitution. They are agriculture, health and sanitation, drinking water, social welfare etc.

6) State Election Commission :
The act provides for the constitution of the State Election Commission for preparation of eletoral rolls and conduct of elections to all Panchayat Raj Institutions. The Election Commission shall consist of a State Election Commissioner. The Governor on the recommendatin of the Government shall appoint the State Election Commissioner. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner shall be decided by the Governor V. Nagi Reddy is the present Telangana State Election Commissioner.

7) State Finance Commission :
A Finance Commission should be constituted once in every five years by the Governor on the recommendation of the Government. The Finance Commission shall consist of a chairman and four other members of whom one shall be the Member-Secretary. The Governor shall by order appoint on the recommendation of the government of the Chairman and other members of the commission. The Finance Commission shall review the financial position of the Gram Panhcayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads and make recommendations to the Government. The State Finance Commission suggests ways to improve the Financial position of the local governments. G. Rajesham Goud is the present Chairperson of Telangana State Finance Commission.

8) Village Panchayat Tribunal :
Village Panchayat Tribunal should be established by the State Government. It consists of three members, that will enquire the appellate reagrding removal of Sarpanch and others matters.

Question 5.
Describe the composition and powers of Zilla Parishads in Telangana.
Answer:
The Zilla Praja Parishad is at the apex of the Panchayat Raj institution. It covers the entire rural area of the district and is the deliberative body. Each district shall have a Zilla Praja Parishad by its name. Except Hyderabad, each district have a Zilla Praja Parishad with the name of such district. Presently there are 32 Zilla Praja Parishads in Telangana.

Composition :
Zilla Praja Parishad comprises six organs, namely :

  1. Zilla Parishad
  2. Zilla Parishad Chairman
  3. Zilla Mahasabha
  4. Chief Executive Officer
  5. Standing Committees and
  6. District Collector.

1) Zilla Parishad :
It consists of three categories of members namely :
i) Elected members from Territorial constituencies in the district directly by the people.
ii) Ex-officio members :
Members of Rajya Sabha, members of Loksabha, members of State Legislative Council and numbers of State Legislative Assembly are the Ex-officio members of the Zilla Praja Parishad.

iii) Co-opt members :
Two persons belonging to Minority Communities to be co-opted in the prescribed manner by the members from among persons who are registered voters in the district.

2) Zilla Praja Parishad Chairperson :
Zilla Praja Parishad Chairperson is the political head and first person of the Zilla Praja Parishad. He is eiected by the elected members i.e., Z.RT.C. He presides over and conducts the meetings of the Zilla Praja Parishad. The progress of the rural areas of the district depends on the active initiative and role of te chairperson.

3) Chief Executive Officer(CEO) :
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the Chief Executive Authority of the Zilla Praja Parishad. He is appointed by the state government. He shall be responsible for implementing the resolutions of the Zilla Praja Parishad. All employees of Zilla Praja Parishad shall be under the responsibility, administrative and supervision of the CEO.

4) Zilla Maha Sabha :
There will be a Zilla Mahasabha in every Zilla Praja Parishad. It comprises a chairman and some other members of Zilla Praja Parishad. It serves as an advisory body to the Zilla Parishad.

5) Standing Committees :
There are seven standing committees in Zilla Praja Parishad. They render advice to the Zilla Praja Parishad on several matters like planning, finance, agriculture, rural development, women, social welfare, education, health etc.

6) District Collector :
The District Collector participates in Zilla Praja Parishad and standing committee meetings as a permanent invitee powers and functions of the Zilla Praja Parishad.

The main powers and functions of the Zilla Praja Parishad are to took after various uses of mandal parishads and act as the co-ordination agency at various programme of Mandal Praja Parishads. The Zilla Praja Parishad shall also have the power to,

  • Examine and approve the budgets of Mandal Praja Parishads in the district.
  • Distribute the funds allotted to the district by the Central or State Government among the Mandal Praja Parishads and Mandals in the district.
  • Co-ordinate and consolidate the plans prepared with respect to the mandals in the district and prepare plans in for the entire district.
  • Supervise the activities of the Mandal Praja Parishads and Gram Panchayats in the district.
  • Exercise and perform such other powers and functions of the District Board including the powers to levy any tax or fees, as may be transferred to it under this Act.
  • Perform the responsibilities, functions and exercise such other powers in relation to any development programmes as the Government may be notification confer on or entrust to it.
  • Advise Government on all matters relating to development activities and service utilities in the district, whether undertaken by local authorities or Government.
  • Publish statistics or other information relating to the activities of the local authorities.
  • Establish, maintain’or expand secondary, vocational and industrial schools.
  • Supervision of adult education activities.
  • Supervision of self employment and livelihood schemes and bank linkages for self help groups.
  • Establishments and maintenance of parks, playgrounds and stadiums.
    Every Zilla Praja Parishad comprises Zilla Parishad territorial constituency member (ZPTC) Zilla Parishad President (ZPP), Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee.
Answer:
The government of India had constituted Balwant Rai mehta Committee in 1957. The committee made several recommendations such s three tier structure of Panchayats and provision of adequate financial resources to rural local governments. The Recommendations of Balwant Rai Mehta Committee were accepted by the government of India. Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh were the first states to implement the Panchayat Raj System.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

Question 2.
Ashok Mehta Committee.
Answer:
The Janata Government led by Morarji Desai appointed 13 members committee under the chairperson of Ashok Mehta in 1977 to give suggestions for strengthening of the Panchayat Raj institutions in India. This committee submitted its report in 1978 with 132 suggestions some of them as follows.

  1. The three-tier system of the Panchayat Raj should be replaced by the two-tier system, i.e., Zilla Parishad at District level and below it, the Mandal Parishad consisting of a group of villages.
  2. The Zilla Parishad should be the executive body and be made responsible for planning at the district level.
  3. Seats for SCs and STs should be reserved on the basis of this population.

Question 3.
L.M. Singhvi Committee.
Answer:
L.M. Singhvi Committee was constituted by the government of India in 1986. This committee recommended for the “Constitutional Recognition of Panchayats for strengthening their identify and integrity. It gave certain suggestions for the recognition of Local Self Governments. The Recommendations of L.M. Singhvi Committee were accepted by the government of India. It was during the Prime Ministership of RV. Narasimha Rao, the Constitutional Amendment Bills were passed by the Union Parliament and were ratified by the State legislatures. They received the assent of the President. Finally, the bills emerged as Amendment Act, 1992 and the constitution 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 and the constitution 74th Amendment Act, 1993.

Question 4.
State Election Commission.
Answer:
Article 243(K) explains how the State Election Commission is to ensure free and fair elections to the Panchayats. It calls for the appointment of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the State Governor. His conditions of service and tenure of office shall also be determined by the Governor. Powers and functions fo the Election Commission is as follows.

  1. To prepare and update the electoral rolls of the voters to Panchayat elections.
  2. To conduct free and fair elections to the Panchayats.
  3. To allot symbols to the contesting candidates during the elections.

Question 5.
State Finance Commission.
Answer:
Article 243(l) provides for the State Finance Commission. The Governor of the state shall constitute a finance commission for every five years. It shall make the following recommendations to the Governors.

  1. To review the financial position of the panchayats.
  2. The distribution of funds between the state and Panchayats.
  3. The Grants-in-aid to the Panchayats from the consolidated fund of the state. It consists of a Chairperson and four other members.

Question 6.
District Planning Committee.
Answer:
According to article 243(ZD), every state shall constitute a District Planning Committee at district level to consolidate the plans prepared by Panchayats and urban local bodies in the district. The Chairman of the Zilla Parishad also acts as the Chairman and District Collector acts as the convenor of the District Planning Committee in the Telangana State.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

Question 7.
Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
The base of the structure of the Panchayat Raj institutions is the Gram panchayat. It covers a village or a group of villages. Gram Panchayat is a legislative or deliberative body. Meetings of the Gram Panchayats shall be held atleast once in a month. Every meeting of a Gram Panchayat shall be presided by the Sarpanch & in his absence by the Upa-Sarpanch. All decisions and resolutions of the Gram panchayat shall be taken by majority of the members including Sarpanch. At present there are 12,751 Gram Panchayats in Telangana.

Question 8.
Gram Sabha.
Answer:
Every village shall have a Gram Sabha. The Gram Sabha consists of all registered voters in the village, It shall meet atleast twice a year. Every meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be presided over by the Sarpanch. It discusses and approves the administrative and audit reports. It identifies the beneficiaries of development schemes. It takes steps for mobilizing voluntary labour for community welfare and development programmes.

Question 9.
Sarpanch.
Answer:
Sarpanch is the first person of the village and political head of the Gram Panchayat. He is directly elected by registered votes of the village. He should also preside over meetings of the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha. He is held responsible for the implementation of the resolutions of Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha.

Question 10.
Panchayat Secretary.
Answer:
Panchayat Secretary is a government employee apppointed by the State Government. He is subordinate to the Sarpanch and assist; the Gram Panchayat in Administrative affairs. He shall attend the meetings of he Gram Sabha and Gratti Panchayat and shall be entitled to take part in the discussions but shall not be entitled to vote or moves any resolution.

Question 11.
Mandal Parishad Teritorial Constituency Member (MPTC).
Answer:
Mandal Parishad Tentorial Constituency Member (MPTC) members are directly elected by the voters, whereas the mandal president is elected by the MPTC members. The members are elected for a term of five years. The election to MPTGs is done on a party basis. The elections are conducted by the state election commission.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

Question 12.
Mandal Praja Parishad President (MPP).
Answer:
Mandal Praja Parishad President acts as the political head of the mandal Parishad. He Presides over the meetings of the Mandal Parishad. hie determines the date and agenda of the said meeting in consultation with the Mandal Parishad Development Officer. He will have control over the Mandal Parishad Development Officer in the implementation of various resolutions of the Mandal Parishad. He takes suggestions from non-political/eminent/experienced persons for the effective functioning of the Mandal Parishad.

Question 13.
Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDD).
Answer:
Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDD) is the administrative head of Mandal Parishad the plays a crucial role in the administrative affairs of the Mandal Parishad. He prepares the agenda of the Parishad meetings and participates in the meeting and renders advice to the members on several matters of the Mandal Parishad. He prepares the annual budget of the Mandal Parishad. He takes steps for the effective working of the Mandal Parishad.

Question 14.
Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency Member (ZPTC).
Answer:
Each Zilla Praja Parishad area is divided into as many mandals. Every mandal in the district shall be a territorial constituency, represented by one member known as ZPTC. He shall be elected by the method of secret ballot, by persons who are registered voters in the Zilla Praja Parishad concerned.

Question 15.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Answer:
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the Chief Executive Authority of the Ziila Praja Parishad and appointed by the State Government He shall be responsible for implementing the resolutions of the Ziila Praja Parishad and shall also perform such responsibilities and functions and exercise such powers as may be entrusted to him by the Government.

Question 16.
Mayor.
Answer:
The Mayor is the political head and first person of the Municipal Corporation. For every Municipal Corporation there shall be one ‘Mayor who shall be elected by and from among the elected councilors. The Mayor Presides over and convenues the meetings of the Municipal Corporation once in a month. He/she sets the agenda for the council meeting. He has fpil access to all records of the Municipal Corporation. He exercises administrative control over the Municipal Commissioner for the purposes of implementation of the resolution of the Municipal Corporation. The progress of the town of the Municipal Corporation area depends on the active initiative and role of die Mayor.

TS Inter 2nd Year Political Science Study Material Chapter 6 Local Government

Question 17.
Name of the Municipal Corporation in Telangana.
Answer:
The Municipal Corporation is at the apex of the urban local self-government instituted for a large urban area. At present, there are 13 Municipal Corporations in Telangana. They are 1. Hyderabad, 2. Warangal, 3. Karimnagar, 4. Khammam, 5. Nizamabad, 6. Ramagundam, 7. Boduppal, 8. Bandlaguda, 9. Badangpet, 10. Jawahar Nagar, 11. Meerpet, 12. Nizbmpet, 13. Peer Zadiguda.

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