Q. Which of the following are the probable reasons behind the ineffective performance of Panchayats in India?
1. They do not accommodate the diverse sections of village society.
2. The position of panchayats is subordinate to the bureaucracy at state level.
3. Parallel bodies have bypassed the role and responsibilities of Panchayats.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Even after conferring the constitutional status and protection through the 73rd Amendment Act (1992), the performance of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) has not been satisfactory and not up to the expected level. The various reasons for this sub-optimal performance are as follows:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Panchayati Raj system in India has accommodated various sections of society through reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes at every level in proportion of their population to the total population in the panchayat area. This is not the reason for ineffective performance of Panchayats in India.
Statement 2 is correct: In some States, the Gram Panchayats have been placed in a position of subordination. Hence, the Gram Panchayat Sarpanches have to spend extraordinary amount of time visiting Block Offices for funds and/or technical approval. Hence, the position of panchayats is subordinate to the bureaucracy at state level.
Statement 3 is correct: Parallel Bodies (PBs) are created for supposedly speedy implementation and greater accountability. PBs may usurp the legitimate space of PRIs and may demoralize the PRIs by virtue of their superior resource endowments.
