Question

Balwant Rai Mehta Committee emphasized on which part of Panchayati Raj?
A. Division and district level
B. Village, Block and District
C. Village, District and State level
D. Village, Division and National level

Answer 1

Hint: The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 was based on the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee. The Amendment has a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all states.

Complete Step by Step Answer: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was appointed in 1957 by the government of India to examine the implementation of the Community Development Programme, 1952 and the National Extension Service, 1953 at the rural level. The committee also recommended the establishment of the scheme of ‘democratic decentralisation’ and also recommended solutions to achieve this goal. Balwant Rai G Mehta was the Chairman of this committee.
The committee recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system namely Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level and the Zila Parishad at the district level.
The primary objectives of the Panchayati Raj system, according to the committee, are planning and development. It further suggested that the Zila Parishad would act as an advisory and supervisor body while the Panchayat Samiti should be the executive body. The main motive of the Panchayat system was democratic decentralisation through the effective participation of locals and also to make them politically conscious.
Now looking at the options given:
Option A – The committee recommended a three-tier system, whereas in the option provided in the question mentions only two.
Option B - The committee recommended a three-tier system; Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad at the village, block and district level respectively.
Option C - The committee recommended a three-tier system which consists of the village and district levels but does not mention any provisions regarding the State level.
Option D – This option is incorrect as the committee recommended that all aspects of development work at the rural level should be transferred to the Panchayats and focused more on the participation of village locals in the process.
The correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: While answering the question, do not confuse yourself with the other committees constituted by the government of India. One needs to remember that the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee suggested a three-tier system at the rural level to decrease the workload of the State and Central governments, respectively.