Aspirant Academy

Polity, Governance and Current Affairs

Predicted Questions with Model Answers

Rajasthan: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Self-Government

Paper III · Unit 1 Section 9 of 11 0 PYQs 27 min
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Predicted Questions with Model Answers

Q1 (5 marks — 50 words): Describe the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure of Rajasthan.

Answer (EN): Under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act 1994, the state has three tiers: Gram Panchayat (Sarpanch-headed; 11,341 in Rajasthan), Panchayat Samiti (Pradhan-headed; 352), and Zila Parishad (Zila Pramukh-headed; 33). All three conduct direct elections every 5 years. 50% seats are reserved for women; SC/ST reservations are proportional to population.

Q2 (5 marks — 50 words): Write about the Rajasthan Right to Hearing Act, 2012.

Answer (EN): Rajasthan's Right to Hearing Act (2012) is the world's first Panchayat-level law entitling citizens to lodge complaints about development work and receive responses within 21 days. Extended to all state government offices, it integrates with Rajasthan Sampark (helpline 181). It institutionalises Jan Sunwai-style public hearings at GP, Sub-Division, and District levels.

Q3 (5 marks — 50 words): Write about women's reservation in Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj institutions.

Answer (EN): Rajasthan provides 50% reservation for women at all three Panchayati Raj tiers — exceeding the constitutional minimum of 33%. In the 2020 Panchayati Raj elections, women won 52.8% of total Panchayat seats. However, the "Sarpanch Pati" phenomenon (proxy male control over women Sarpanchs) limits the quality of women's political empowerment.

Q4 (10 marks — 150 words): Discuss the measures needed for the effective working of Gram Sabha in Rajasthan.

Answer (EN): The Gram Sabha is the constitutional cornerstone of grassroots democracy — a direct democratic forum where every adult voter in a Gram Panchayat can participate in local governance decisions. Article 243A and the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act 1994 mandate at least four annual meetings with powers to approve plans, review development work, and select scheme beneficiaries.

Current gaps: Despite legal provisions, Rajasthan's Gram Sabhas face critical challenges — low attendance (usually below quorum of 10% members), elite capture by dominant castes, proxy women Sarpanchs ("Sarpanch Pati"), Sarpanch dominance over Ward Panchas, and poor awareness among marginalized communities.

Measures for effectiveness:

  1. Capacity building: Regular training for Sarpanchs, Ward Panchas, and Gram Sachivs on legal powers and procedures; RGSA (Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan) programmes.

  2. Digital transparency: Mandatory online publication of Gram Sabha minutes, development expenditure, and beneficiary lists on e-Gram Swaraj portal; accessible through Jan Soochna portal.

  3. Mahila Gram Sabha enforcement: Strictly implement the law requiring a Mahila Gram Sabha before each main Gram Sabha; ensure women submit agenda items.

  4. Social audit institutionalization: MGNREGS Social Audit Units in every district; audit reports to be read out and acted upon in Gram Sabha.

  5. Awareness campaigns: Use SHG networks, Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers as Gram Sabha mobilizers; radio/TV spots in Rajasthani dialects.

  6. PESA enforcement in tribal areas: Genuine Gram Sabha consent for land acquisition and mining must be enforced with penal consequences for violation.

  7. Anti-proxy mechanism: Random verification of women Sarpanchs' independent functioning; grievance mechanism for reporting "Sarpanch Pati" cases.

Q5 (5 marks — 50 words): What is PESA? How does it strengthen tribal self-governance in Rajasthan?

Answer (EN): PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996) extends Panchayati Raj provisions to tribal Fifth Schedule areas with special powers — Gram Sabha controls natural resources, land acquisition requires prior consultation, tribal communities own minor forest produce. Rajasthan notified PESA Rules in 2011 covering tribal districts including Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, and Sirohi.

Q6 (10 marks — 150 words): Evaluate the role of urban local bodies in Rajasthan's governance. What challenges do they face?

Answer (EN): Rajasthan's urban local bodies (ULBs) — governed under the Rajasthan Municipalities Act 2009 — include 7 Municipal Corporations, ~30 Nagar Parishads, ~150 Nagar Palikas, and ~50 Nagar Panchayats. They serve 29.2 million urban residents (24.9% urbanization, rising). Their mandate covers urban planning, water supply, sanitation, solid waste, road maintenance, and social welfare.

Positive achievements:

  1. Rajasthan's Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Jodhpur under Smart Cities Mission received over ₹500 crore each for urban infrastructure transformation — Jaipur's Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) is among India's best.
  2. Solid waste management improvement — Jaipur achieved significant waste segregation rates through the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
  3. Women's reservation (50%) has increased women's voice in ward-level governance.

Challenges:

  1. Fiscal dependence: Own revenues cover only 20–40% of ULB expenditure; state grants are often irregular.
  2. Functional devolution gap: Despite 12th Schedule's 18 functions, many (urban planning, land use) remain with state government departments; ULBs are implementors rather than planners.
  3. Parallel bodies: Smart City SPVs, DUDA (District Urban Development Authorities), and RUIFDCO operate alongside ULBs with more resources but less democratic accountability.
  4. Capacity constraints: Municipal staff shortages, low tax collection efficiency, and outdated GIS data limit service delivery.
  5. Rapid urbanization pressure: Rajasthan's urbanization rate is rising; peripheral areas between municipal limits and village panchayats create governance gaps.