The correct answer is: C. 1985
The Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, which provides a Three-Tier Model, was passed for the first time in 1985. The Act provides for the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions at the village, block and district levels. The village level institutions are called Gram Panchayats, the block level institutions are called Panchayat Samitis and the district level institutions are called Zila Parishads.
The Act also provides for the devolution of powers and functions to the Panchayati Raj institutions. The powers and functions that have been devolved to the Panchayati Raj institutions include:
- Agriculture
- Animal husbandry
- Rural development
- Education
- Health
- Public works
- Social welfare
- Women and child development
- Panchayati Raj institutions have been playing a vital role in the development of rural areas in Jammu and Kashmir. They have been instrumental in the implementation of various development schemes and programmes. The Panchayati Raj institutions have also been successful in mobilizing resources and ensuring people’s participation in the development process.
The Panchayati Raj institutions have been facing a number of challenges, including:
- Lack of financial resources
- Lack of technical support
- Lack of capacity building
- Lack of coordination between different levels of government
- Lack of accountability
Despite these challenges, the Panchayati Raj institutions have made significant progress in the development of rural areas in Jammu and Kashmir. They have been instrumental in the implementation of various development schemes and programmes. The Panchayati Raj institutions have also been successful in mobilizing resources and ensuring people’s participation in the development process.