Fields of Social Work and Panchayati Raj

What to remember

• Fields of social work include family and child welfare, school, medical and psychiatric, correctional, labour, disability, ageing, women and youth welfare, rural and tribal development, and disaster work.
• Panchayati Raj began with the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957). The 73rd Constitutional Amendment gave it constitutional status (in force from 24 April 1993).
• Three tiers: Gram Panchayat (village), intermediate (Mandal or block) and Zilla Parishad (district), with the Gram Sabha as the base.

Fields of social work

Social work is practised in many settings.

Key laws connected with these fields (names and general purpose only):

• Probation of Offenders Act, 1958: allows release of suitable offenders on probation, with supervision, instead of prison.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: care of children in need and children in conflict with law.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: rights and protection for persons with disabilities, with a wide list of recognised disabilities.
• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: duty of children and relatives to maintain senior citizens.
• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: rights of persons with mental illness.
• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, as amended in 2016: bans work for children below 14 and bans adolescents (14-18) from hazardous occupations and processes.
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Voluntary agencies and NGOs play a key role. Many are registered as societies or trusts, or as non-profit companies. They fill gaps left by the state, work close to people and often pilot new ideas. A good agency has clear objectives, a governing body, trained staff, accountability and transparent accounts. In government schemes, social workers form the link between the department and the community. The Anganwadi Supervisor works in the field of child and women development and counts as a front-line social service functionary.

Evolution of Panchayati Raj

24 April is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day. Andhra Pradesh's Mandal Parishad system came in during the mid-1980s, which made the mandal the intermediate tier. The state later passed its own Panchayat Raj Act in 1994 in line with the national amendment.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment

It added Part IX to the Constitution (Articles 243 to 243O) and the Eleventh Schedule.

Main features:

• Gram Sabha: all registered voters of the village. It is the foundation of the system.
• Three tiers at village, intermediate and district level. States with a small population may skip the intermediate tier.
• Direct elections to all members at all levels.
• Reservation: seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population. Not less than one-third of seats, including those of chairpersons, for women. States may give more.
• Five-year term; if dissolved, fresh elections must be held within six months.
• State Election Commission conducts the elections independently.
• State Finance Commission is set up every five years to review the finances of panchayats.
• Eleventh Schedule: a list of subjects for panchayats, including agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, rural housing, drinking water, roads, education, health and sanitation, women and child development, and welfare of the weaker sections. The list holds 29 subjects.
• District Planning Committee consolidates plans of panchayats and municipalities.

The 74th Amendment covers urban local bodies (Part IXA, Twelfth Schedule).

Structure and functions

The Gram Panchayat prepares village plans, maintains drinking water, street lights, roads and sanitation, registers births and deaths, and supports schemes. Sources of income include taxes, fees, grants and share of state revenue. Panchayat Samiti or Mandal Parishad coordinates development in the block or mandal. The Zilla Parishad plans and supervises development at the district level. Recent AP practice added village and ward secretariats for service delivery at the doorstep; check the latest official position.

Role of panchayats in women and child welfare: They help locate Anganwadi sites, support nutrition days, monitor attendance in schools and centres, and take part in village health and nutrition committees. Women members and Self-help groups strengthen participation. The Anganwadi Supervisor works with the Sarpanch and the panchayat secretary on convergence.

Strengths and problems of Panchayati Raj

Panchayati Raj brings decisions close to people, trains local leaders, gives women and weaker sections a voice in public life, and lets plans match local needs. Common problems are shortage of funds and staff, control by a few powerful persons, limited transfer of functions, low awareness in Gram Sabhas, and proxy participation by relatives of women members. Training, regular Gram Sabha meetings, social audit, transparent budgets and stronger own-source revenue are standard remedies.

Social audit is a public review of the work and accounts of a scheme by the people who are meant to benefit. It is used widely in employment guarantee works and strengthens accountability. Village planning with people's involvement (a Gram Panchayat Development Plan) brings together the schemes of many departments.

Exam traps

• Balwant Rai Mehta vs Ashok Mehta: three-tier (1957) vs two-tier (1977).
• G.V.K. Rao vs Singhvi: district planning vs constitutional status.
• 73rd vs 74th Amendment: rural versus urban local bodies.
• Part IX vs Part IXA: panchayats versus municipalities.
• Eleventh vs Twelfth Schedule: panchayats versus municipalities.
• Gram Sabha vs Gram Panchayat: the first is all voters; the second is the elected body.
• Reservation for women: at least one-third by the Constitution, but states can go higher.
• PESA vs 73rd Amendment: PESA extends the system to Scheduled Areas with special powers to the Gram Sabha.

One-liners

• 1. Balwant Rai Mehta recommended the three-tier system.
• 2. Nagaur in Rajasthan was the first place to start it.
• 3. The 73rd Amendment came into force on 24 April 1993.
• 4. Part IX deals with panchayats.
• 5. The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects.
• 6. The panchayat term is five years.
• 7. One-third of seats are reserved for women at minimum.
• 8. The State Election Commission conducts panchayat elections.
• 9. The Gram Sabha is made up of all registered voters.
• 10. PESA was passed in 1996.
• 11. The Probation of Offenders Act is from 1958.
• 12. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act is from 2016.

Practice questions

1. Which committee of 1957 recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system?

   1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
   2. Ashok Mehta Committee
   3. G.V.K. Rao Committee
   4. L.M. Singhvi Committee
   Answer

   A. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

   It recommended democratic decentralisation with three tiers.

2. Which committee of 1977 suggested a two-tier system with Zilla Parishad and Mandal Panchayat?

   1. Kothari Commission
   2. Ashok Mehta Committee
   3. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
   4. Sarkaria Commission
   Answer

   B. Ashok Mehta Committee

   Ashok Mehta proposed two tiers.

3. The committee that recommended constitutional recognition of local government in 1986 was the

   1. Ashok Mehta Committee
   2. G.V.K. Rao Committee
   3. L.M. Singhvi Committee
   4. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
   Answer

   C. L.M. Singhvi Committee

   Singhvi recommended constitutional status.

4. The committee that treated the district as the key unit of planning and called for regular elections was the

   1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
   2. Singhvi Committee
   3. Ashok Mehta Committee
   4. G.V.K. Rao Committee
   Answer

   D. G.V.K. Rao Committee

   The 1985 committee stressed district planning.

5. Panchayati Raj was first introduced on 2 October 1959 at Nagaur in

   1. Rajasthan
   2. Gujarat
   3. Maharashtra
   4. Andhra Pradesh
   Answer

   A. Rajasthan

   Nagaur in Rajasthan was the first.

6. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force on

   1. 2 October 1959
   2. 24 April 1993
   3. 15 August 1992
   4. 26 January 1950
   Answer

   B. 24 April 1993

   24 April is National Panchayati Raj Day.

7. Which Part of the Constitution deals with Panchayats?

   1. Part IXA
   2. Part IV
   3. Part IX
   4. Part XI
   Answer

   C. Part IX

   Part IX covers Articles 243 to 243O.

8. Which Schedule of the Constitution lists the subjects of panchayats?

   1. Eleventh Schedule
   2. Twelfth Schedule
   3. Ninth Schedule
   4. Seventh Schedule
   Answer

   A. Eleventh Schedule

   It lists 29 subjects.

9. How many subjects are listed in the Eleventh Schedule?

   1. 18
   2. 36
   3. 24
   4. 29
   Answer

   D. 29

   The Eleventh Schedule has 29 subjects.

10. The Gram Sabha consists of

    1. Only elected panchayat members
    2. All registered voters of the village
    3. Only women members
    4. Only landholders
    Answer

    B. All registered voters of the village

    It is the foundation of the system.

11. The term of a panchayat is

    1. Six years
    2. Four years
    3. Three years
    4. Five years
    Answer

    D. Five years

    Elections must be held within six months of dissolution.

12. If a panchayat is dissolved, fresh elections must be held within

    1. One year
    2. Six months
    3. One month
    4. Two years
    Answer

    B. Six months

    The Constitution requires elections within six months.

13. The minimum share of seats reserved for women in panchayats under the Constitution is

    1. One-fourth
    2. One-fifth
    3. One-third
    4. One-half
    Answer

    C. One-third

    States may provide more.

14. Elections to panchayats are conducted by the

    1. State Election Commission
    2. Finance Commission
    3. Zilla Parishad
    4. Election Commission of India
    Answer

    A. State Election Commission

    A State Election Commission supervises the polls.

15. The State Finance Commission for panchayats is constituted every

    1. Two years
    2. Five years
    3. Ten years
    4. Three years
    Answer

    B. Five years

    It reviews the financial position of panchayats.

16. Part IXA of the Constitution deals with

    1. Tribunals
    2. Panchayats
    3. Municipalities
    4. Cooperative societies
    Answer

    C. Municipalities

    The 74th Amendment added Part IXA.

17. The head of a Gram Panchayat is the

    1. Sarpanch
    2. Mandal Parishad President
    3. Block Development Officer
    4. Zilla Parishad Chairperson
    Answer

    A. Sarpanch

    The Sarpanch heads the village panchayat.

18. PESA of 1996 extends Panchayati Raj to

    1. All cities
    2. Scheduled Areas
    3. Union Territories only
    4. Cantonment boards
    Answer

    B. Scheduled Areas

    It gives special powers to Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas.

19. Which Act of 1958 allows suitable offenders to be released on probation with supervision?

    1. Mental Healthcare Act
    2. Juvenile Justice Act
    3. Dowry Prohibition Act
    4. Probation of Offenders Act
    Answer

    D. Probation of Offenders Act

    Probation is a correctional social work tool.

20. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in

    1. 2012
    2. 2007
    3. 1995
    4. 2016
    Answer

    D. 2016

    It protects the rights of persons with disabilities.

21. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act was passed in

    1. 2007
    2. 1958
    3. 1986
    4. 2016
    Answer

    A. 2007

    It makes children and relatives responsible for senior citizens.

22. A medical social worker mainly

    1. Performs surgery
    2. Audits hospital accounts
    3. Helps patients and families adjust to illness and use resources
    4. Prescribes medicines
    Answer

    C. Helps patients and families adjust to illness and use resources

    Medical social work links patients with support.

23. Social work in prisons, probation and observation homes is part of

    1. School social work
    2. Correctional social work
    3. Labour welfare
    4. Industrial design
    Answer

    B. Correctional social work

    It aims at reform and rehabilitation.

24. A school social worker typically works with

    1. Only factory workers
    2. Only elected members
    3. Only prisoners
    4. Students, teachers and parents on learning and behaviour
    Answer

    D. Students, teachers and parents on learning and behaviour

    School social work addresses dropouts and behaviour.

25. A formal social audit of a scheme is done by

    1. The people who benefit from it, who review works and accounts
    2. Only the department that runs it
    3. Only the bank
    4. Only a private auditor chosen by contractors
    Answer

    A. The people who benefit from it, who review works and accounts

    Social audit is a public review by beneficiaries.

26. Which of the following is a common problem of Panchayati Raj?

    1. Excess of power over all courts
    2. Too many trained staff
    3. Proxy participation by relatives of women members
    4. Too much money from the state
    Answer

    C. Proxy participation by relatives of women members

    Proxy participation reduces real empowerment.

27. Consider the statements. 1. The 73rd Amendment added Part IX to the Constitution. 2. The 73rd Amendment deals with municipalities. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Municipalities fall under the 74th Amendment.

28. Consider the statements. 1. Elections to all members of panchayats at all tiers are direct. 2. Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    As a general rule, the chairpersons of intermediate and district tiers are elected indirectly, but all members are directly elected.

29. Consider the statements. 1. The Gram Sabha is the elected executive body of the village. 2. The Gram Sabha consists of all registered voters. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    The Gram Sabha is the body of voters; the Gram Panchayat is the elected body.

30. Consider the statements. 1. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended three tiers. 2. The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended three tiers. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Ashok Mehta suggested two tiers.

31. Consider the statements. 1. A State Finance Commission is set up every five years for panchayats. 2. Panchayat elections are conducted by the Election Commission of India. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    State Election Commission conducts them.

32. Consider the statements about the Constitutional provisions. 1. Not less than one-third of seats are reserved for women. 2. States cannot reserve more than one-third for women. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    States may reserve more.

33. Consider the statements about fields of social work. 1. Psychiatric social work deals with persons with mental illness and their families. 2. Labour welfare deals with the welfare of workers. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

34. Consider the statements. 1. National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on 24 April. 2. Panchayati Raj started in Andhra Pradesh before Rajasthan. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Rajasthan started it first.

35. Consider the statements about voluntary agencies. 1. They can fill gaps in services left by the state. 2. They should keep clear objectives and transparent accounts. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are good features of voluntary agencies.

36. Match the Amendment with its subject. P. 73rd Amendment Q. 74th Amendment 1. Municipalities 2. Panchayats

    1. P-1, Q-1
    2. P-1, Q-2
    3. P-2, Q-2
    4. P-2, Q-1
    Answer

    D. P-2, Q-1

    73rd is rural; 74th is urban.

37. Match the tier with its head. P. Gram Panchayat Q. Zilla Parishad R. Mandal Parishad in AP 1. Chairperson 2. Sarpanch 3. President

    1. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    2. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    3. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    4. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    Answer

    B. P-2, Q-1, R-3

    Sarpanch, Chairperson, President.

38. Match the committee with the year. P. Balwant Rai Mehta Q. Ashok Mehta R. Singhvi 1. 1977 2. 1957 3. 1986

    1. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    2. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    3. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    4. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    Answer

    D. P-2, Q-1, R-3

    1957, 1977, 1986.

39. Match the field with a typical task. P. Medical social work Q. Correctional work R. School social work 1. Dropout and behaviour problems 2. Probation and rehabilitation 3. Hospital patient adjustment

    1. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    2. P-3, Q-2, R-1
    3. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    4. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    Answer

    B. P-3, Q-2, R-1

    As described in the fields of social work.

40. The Anganwadi Supervisor works with the Sarpanch to

    1. Set the panchayat tax
    2. Appoint the Sarpanch
    3. Conduct Gram Panchayat elections
    4. Coordinate nutrition and child services in the village
    Answer

    D. Coordinate nutrition and child services in the village

    Convergence with the panchayat supports Anganwadi services.

41. Which Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions?

    1. 42nd Amendment
    2. 86th Amendment
    3. 44th Amendment
    4. 73rd Amendment
    Answer

    D. 73rd Amendment

    The 73rd Amendment, 1992, made Panchayati Raj constitutional.

42. Which Article of the Constitution provides for the Gram Sabha?

    1. Article 40
    2. Article 243B
    3. Article 243A
    4. Article 243E
    Answer

    C. Article 243A

    Article 243A deals with the Gram Sabha.

43. Which Article provides for a five-year duration of panchayats?

    1. Article 243A
    2. Article 243E
    3. Article 243D
    4. Article 243K
    Answer

    B. Article 243E

    Article 243E deals with duration.

44. The body that consolidates the plans of panchayats and municipalities at district level is the

    1. State Finance Commission
    2. Public Accounts Committee
    3. District Planning Committee
    4. Gram Sabha
    Answer

    C. District Planning Committee

    The DPC prepares a draft development plan for the district.

45. Which field of social work covers relief, rescue and rehabilitation after floods or cyclones?

    1. Medical social work
    2. Disaster management
    3. Labour welfare
    4. School social work
    Answer

    B. Disaster management

    It includes relief, rehabilitation and preparedness.