Explanation
The
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by adding
Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) to the Constitution. It provides for a
three-tier Panchayati Raj system — Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (intermediate/block level), and Zila Parishad (district level).
Statement I is incorrect. While
Article 243B provides for a three-tier system in every state, it also explicitly states that
intermediate-level Panchayats may not be constituted in states with a population
not exceeding 20 lakh. States such as
Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Sikkim, along with Union Territories like
Lakshadweep and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, follow a
two-tier Panchayati Raj system and do not have intermediate-level Panchayats. Therefore, intermediate Panchayats do
not exist in all states.
Statement II is incorrect. As per
Article 243F of the Constitution, the minimum age prescribed to become a
member of a Panchayat is
21 years — not 30 years as claimed in the statement. The age of 30 years is not associated with Panchayat membership under any constitutional provision.
Statement III is incorrect. Under
Article 243-I, it is the
Governor of the State — not the Chief Minister — who constitutes the
State Finance Commission every
five years. This commission reviews the financial position of Panchayats and makes recommendations on the
distribution of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees between the State and the Panchayats, along with recommendations on
grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of the State.
Therefore,
all three statements are incorrect.