Q. Consider the following statements:

I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States.
II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person should attain the age of thirty years.
III. The Chief Minister of a State constitutes a commission to review the financial position of Panchayats at the intermediate levels and to make recommendations regarding the distribution of net proceeds of taxes and duties, leviable by the State, between the State and Panchayats at the intermediate level.

Which of the statements given above are not correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

51. निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:
I. मध्यवर्ती स्तर पर पंचायतें सभी राज्यों में विद्यमान है।
II. मध्यवर्ती स्तर पर किसी पंचायत में सदस्य होने हेतु पात्र होने के लिए किसी व्यक्ति को तीस वर्ष की आयु प्राप्त होनी चाहिए।
III. किसी राज्य का मुख्यमंत्री मध्यवर्ती स्तरों पर पंचायतों की वित्तीय दशा के पुनरीक्षण के लिए और राज्य द्वारा उद्ग्रहीत करों और शुल्कों के निवल आगम को मध्यवर्ती स्तर पर राज्य और पंचायतों के बीच वितरित करने हेतु सिफारिशें करने के लिए एक आयोग का गठन करता है।

उपर्युक्त में कौन-कौन से कथन सही नहीं है?
(a) केवल I और II
(b) केवल II और III
(c) केवल I और III
(d) I, II और III

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement I is not correct: As per Article 243B of the Constitution, the structure of Panchayats includes three levels: village, intermediate (block), and district. However, in states with a population not exceeding 20 lakhs, the intermediate level Panchayats are not mandatory. Therefore, not all states have Panchayats at the intermediate level.

Statement II is not correct: As per Article 243F, the minimum age to contest Panchayat elections is 21 years, unless a higher age is prescribed by the State Legislature. But thirty years is not a requirement under the Constitution.

Statement III is not correct: As per Article 243-I, it is the Governor of the State, not the Chief Minister, who constitutes the State Finance Commission every five years. The Commission reviews the financial position of all levels of Panchayats (village, intermediate, and district), not just the intermediate level.

Source:
https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s380537a945c7aaa788ccfcdf1b99b5d8f/uploads/2024/07/20240716890312078.pdf