Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

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The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee set up by the Government of India in 1957 to recommend measures for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions in the country. The committee was headed by Balwant Rai Mehta, a former Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The committee submitted its report in 1958, and its recommendations were accepted by the government. The report laid the foundation for the Panchayati Raj system in India.

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions should be based on the following principles:

  • Decentralization of power
  • Democratic decentralization
  • Participation of people in decision-making
  • Local self-government
  • Integrated development

The committee also recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions should have the following functions:

  • Planning and implementation of development programmes
  • Maintenance of law and order
  • Collection of taxes and revenue
  • Provision of basic services

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee’s report was a landmark document in the history of Panchayati Raj in India. Its recommendations have been implemented in all states and union territories of the country. Panchayati Raj institutions have played a significant role in the development of rural areas in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee?

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee set up by the Government of India in 1957 to recommend measures for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions in the country. The committee was headed by Balwant Rai Mehta, a former Chief Minister of Gujarat.

  1. What were the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee?

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions should be based on the following principles:

  • Decentralization of power
  • Democratic decentralization
  • Participation of people in decision-making
  • Local self-government
  • Integrated development

The committee also recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions should have the following functions:

  • Planning and implementation of development programmes
  • Maintenance of law and order
  • Collection of taxes and revenue
  • Provision of basic services
  1. What has been the impact of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee’s report?

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee’s report was a landmark document in the history of Panchayati Raj in India. Its recommendations have been implemented in all states and union territories of the country. Panchayati Raj institutions have played a significant role in the development of rural areas in India.

MCQs

  1. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was set up in:
    (a) 1955
    (b) 1956
    (c) 1957
    (d) 1958

  2. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was headed by:
    (a) Balwant Rai Mehta
    (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
    (c) Indira Gandhi
    (d) Rajiv Gandhi

  3. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions should be based on the following principles:
    (a) Decentralization of power
    (b) Democratic decentralization
    (c) Participation of people in decision-making
    (d) All of the above

  4. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended that Panchayati Raj institutions should have the following functions:
    (a) Planning and implementation of development programmes
    (b) Maintenance of law and order
    (c) Collection of taxes and revenue
    (d) All of the above

  5. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee’s report was a landmark document in the history of Panchayati Raj in India. Its recommendations have been implemented in:
    (a) All states and union territories of the country
    (b) Some states and union territories of the country
    (c) None of the states and union territories of the country

Answers:
1. (c)
2. (a)
3. (d)
4. (d)
5. (a)

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