Question map
Which one of the following statements with regard to Panchayats is not correct?
Explanation
Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the power to authorize Panchayats to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees rests with the State Legislature, not the Central Government [1]. Article 243H specifically empowers the Legislature of a State to make such laws. Regarding other options, members of Panchayats at all levels are indeed elected directly by the people (the electorate within the territorial area) [4]. The State Election Commission is responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats. Furthermore, Article 243E stipulates that every Panchayat, unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting [1]. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect as it wrongly attributes taxing authority to the Central Government.
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > PANCHAYATS > p. 702
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > II ICompulsory Provisions > p. 392
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 389
- [4] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 389