Comprehensive Practice Set — Polity & Governance: Local Governance

Discuss the challenges Panchayati Raj Institutions continue to face in India despite the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. With special reference to Gram Panchayats in Odisha. Suggest doable reforms in both general terms and in the specific context of Odisha.

Analyse the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons of merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies.

Explain the role status of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Odisha. Give suggestions to improve their role status. Also mention the recommendation of the Committee of Ministry of Panchayati Raj formed in 2023, in this regard.

Anchor: "Sarpanch Pati" / proxy representation; Odisha's 50% reservation for women in PRIs.

(a) (i) Explain democratic decentralisation. (a) (ii) Examine the impact of 73rd Constitutional Amendment on decentralisation of power and functioning of Panchayats. (b) Examine the impact of 74th Constitutional Amendment on decentralisation of power and functioning of Municipalities.

The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of 'Functions, Functionaries and Funds' to the contemporary stage of 'Functionality'. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times.

"The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process." Comment.

Write a brief note on the functions of the Chairman of a Panchayat Samiti in Odisha.

Examine the sources of revenue for a Gram Panchayat in Odisha.

How does the Government exercise control over Gram Panchayats in Odisha?

Explain the composition of a Zilla Parishad in Odisha.

Assess the importance of Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects.

Briefly explain the constitutional significance of 73rd Amendment Act of 1992.

"The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance". Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.

Examine the role of Panchayati Raj Institution in Odisha.

In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government-system, 'Panchayats' and 'Samitis' have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.

Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.

Analyse the problems of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Orissa, and suggest remedial measures.

Odisha has launched the Model Village Mission covering the headquarters villages of all 6,733 gram panchayats, along with the Mahapurusha Adarsha Gram Yojana. Examine the design of these schemes as instruments of rural transformation and the institutional capacity required to deliver them.

The Samrudha Sahar scheme, with its Town Planning Scheme and "Cities as Growth Hubs" components, seeks planned urbanisation in Odisha. Examine the urban governance challenges it must overcome.

"Panchayats have functions without funds and functionaries." Examine this criticism in the light of the devolution index and the grants recommended by successive Finance Commissions to local bodies.

Discuss the constitutional and legal issues surrounding reservation for Other Backward Classes in local body elections, and the "triple test" laid down by the Supreme Court.

Examine the status of Gram Sabha empowerment under PESA and the Forest Rights Act in the Scheduled Areas of Odisha, with reference to consent for land acquisition and mining projects.

Discuss the significance of the PESA Act, 1996 in empowering tribal governance. How has Odisha implemented the PESA Act, and what are the key challenges and outcomes?

Evaluate the impact of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments on the decentralisation of power and the functioning of Panchayats and Municipalities in India.

The Sixth Schedule provides autonomy to certain regions but has also posed challenges in governance. Discuss its relevance in contemporary India.

The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially. Comment.

What is the present financial condition of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India? Analyse the hurdles PRIs face in generating internal revenue and suggest measures to strengthen their financial autonomy.

Decentralisation of power through Panchayati Raj Institutions is crucial for participatory democracy and development at the grassroots level. Comment.

Discuss the role of cooperative societies in India's socio-economic development. How do they contribute to financial inclusion, rural development and employment generation?

Analyse the key provisions of the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011. How has it strengthened the role of cooperative societies in India, and what are the challenges in its implementation?

Examine the role of cooperative societies in Odisha in promoting rural development and financial inclusion. Discuss with case studies and highlight key challenges in their functioning.

Discuss the major challenges of urban governance in India — service delivery, finances, planning capacity and the weak position of elected mayors. Suggest reforms.

Elucidate the role of State Finance Commissions in fiscal decentralisation and local government empowerment. How can local authorities enhance their tax revenue and diversify income sources?

Integration of the Gram Sabha in the planning process of Panchayats is seen as a measure of direct democracy. Enumerate the reasons behind its underperformance and suggest measures.

Despite 30 years of the 73rd and 74th Amendments, local governments remain weak. Discuss how technology can empower citizens and re-energise local governance.

Analyse the challenges faced by urban local bodies in utilising devolved powers. What measures can ensure better governance at the urban level?

To what extent do the Fifth and Sixth Schedules promote decentralisation and local self-governance in tribal areas?

The ‘principle of subsidiarity’ is essential for effective governance. Discuss how this principle is applied in India and the obstacles to its full realisation at the local level.

“Grassroots development initiatives require a balance between local knowledge and external expertise.” Examine with reference to the role of various development stakeholders.

Critically examine the role of institutional stakeholders in the implementation of rural development schemes.

Describe the features of the new Panchayati Raj System as introduced by the 73rd Amendment Act.