स्थानीय स्वशासन – Rajasthan GK

Under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution, the State Election Commission is entrusted with the responsibility of conducting elections for Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. Therefore, option 1 is the correct answer.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into force in India on April 24, 1993, but Rajasthan implemented its own Panchayati Raj Act on April 23, 1994, establishing a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in the state. Therefore, option 3 is the correct answer.

The main function of the State Finance Commission is to make recommendations regarding the distribution of revenue (allocation of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees) between the state government and Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. Therefore, option 3 is the correct answer.

According to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the normal tenure of elected members of Panchayati Raj institutions is 5 years, unless they are dissolved prematurely. Therefore, option 3 is the correct answer.

By amending the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions was increased from 33% to 50% in the year 2008. Therefore, option 4 is the correct answer.

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, was brought with the objective of granting constitutional status to urban local bodies (such as Nagar Palika, Nagar Parishad, Nagar Nigam) and providing them with more powers and financial autonomy. The 73rd Amendment was for rural areas. Therefore, option 4 is the correct answer.

In Rajasthan, the three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj institutions functions as Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. Therefore, option 2 is the correct answer.

According to the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, if a person has more than two children after 1995 (with some exceptions), he/she may be disqualified from contesting elections or remaining a member of Panchayati Raj institutions. Other options are not general grounds for disqualification (age must be 21 years, being a government employee is a disqualification, but 'having more than two children' is a specific provision). Therefore, option 2 is the correct answer.

In Rajasthan, a Nagar Parishad (Municipal Council) is constituted for cities with a population ranging from 1 lakh to 5 lakh. A Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation) is constituted for cities with a population of more than 5 lakh, and a Nagar Palika (Municipality) for cities with a population ranging from 20,000 to 1 lakh. Therefore, option 2 is the correct answer.

In Rajasthan, the Zila Pramukh is usually the chairperson of the various Standing Committees of the Zila Parishad, or he/she may appoint any of the elected members as chairperson. The Zila Pramukh can also be the ex-officio chairperson of all Standing Committees. Therefore, option 1 is the correct answer.