OPSC OAS 2022 PrelimsPolityQuestion 8
Solved previous year question from the OPSC OAS/OCS 2022 Preliminary Examination (General Studies), with the official answer key and a detailed explanation.
Question
Which of the following Committees recommended the creation of ‘Nyaya Panchayats’ at village level?
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Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: (D) Ashok Mehta Committee
Explaination
The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977), appointed by the Janata Party government, made several important recommendations for strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions. Among its key recommendations was the creation of Nyaya Panchayats as separate judicial bodies at the village level to provide accessible and speedy justice to rural people.
Other key recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee included:
- Two-tier structure — Zila Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayat covering a group of villages
- Political parties should be allowed to participate in Panchayat elections
- Compulsory powers of taxation to be given to Panchayati Raj bodies
- Social audit by a district level agency
- Constitutional recognition to Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Nyaya Panchayats to be established as separate bodies from the development Panchayats
Important Committees of PRI
| Committee | Year | Key Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Balwant Rai Mehta Committee | 1957 | Three-tier Panchayati Raj structure |
| Ashok Mehta Committee | 1977 | Two-tier structure (district and mandal level) |
| G.V.K. Rao Committee | 1985 | Strengthening PRIs as units of planning |
| L.M. Singhvi Committee | 1986 | Constitutional status to PRIs |
| P.K. Thungan Committee | 1988 | Constitutional amendment for PRIs |
The other committee:
- The Mohan Kanda Committee- It primarily dealt with the issues related to the functioning of the PRIs and rural governance.
