Question

Which of the following statements are not true?
(A). The vice-president of village panchayat has to be directly elected by the voters of the village
(B). Reservation for the SC & ST candidates at all levels of Panchayati Raj system is in proportion to their population
(C). Election to the village panchayat is to be conducted regularly once in five years under the supervision of the Central Election Commission
(D). Block President and Chairman of Zilla Parishad have to be elected indirectly
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• B. (A), (B) and (C) only.
• C. (A), (B), (C) and (D).
• D. (A) and (C) only.

Hint:

Always remember:
- Panchayat Elections \(\rightarrow\) Controlled by the State Election Commission.
- Intermediate (Block) & District (Zilla) Chairpersons \(\rightarrow\) Mandatorily elected indirectly by the elected members.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires a detailed understanding of the constitutional rules governing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India under the 73rd Amendment Act, 199

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement to determine its accuracy:
- Statement (A): "The vice-president of village panchayat has to be directly elected by the voters of the village"
Under Article 243C(5) of the Constitution, the election of the Chairperson (President) of a panchayat at the village level is decided by the respective State Legislature.
However, the Vice-President (Deputy Chairperson) is typically elected indirectly from among the elected members of the Gram Panchayat, or according to specific state laws. There is no constitutional mandate requiring direct election for the vice-president.
Thus, Statement (A) is not true.
- Statement (B): "Reservation for the SC & ST candidates at all levels of Panchayati Raj system is in proportion to their population"
According to Article 243D, seats must be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in every Panchayat.
The ratio of reserved seats to the total seats must be in proportion to their population in that Panchayat area.
Thus, Statement (B) is true.
- Statement (C): "Election to the village panchayat is to be conducted regularly once in five years under the supervision of the Central Election Commission"
While elections must be conducted every five years, they are supervised, directed, and controlled by the State Election Commission (established under Article 243K), not the Central Election Commission (Election Commission of India).
Thus, Statement (C) is not true.
- Statement (D): "Block President and Chairman of Zilla Parishad have to be elected indirectly"
According to Article 243C(5)(b), the chairperson of a panchayat at the intermediate level (Block Samiti) and district level (Zilla Parishad) must be elected indirectly by and from among the elected members of those bodies.
Thus, Statement (D) is true.
Statements (A) and (C) are not true.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The statements that are not true are (A) and (C) only.
Therefore, the correct choice is Option (D).