Previous Year Question
With reference to Municipalities, which of the following statements is/are correct?
The eligible age to be a member of municipality is 25 years.
One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the municipalities is reserved for women.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Only 2
Only 1
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Part IX-A of the Indian Constitution contains provisions relating to Municipalities. Article 243V deals with age-related requirements for municipal membership, while Article 243T provides for the reservation of seats.
Statement 1 is incorrect.
According to Article 243V(1), a person cannot be disqualified from municipal membership solely on the ground that they are below 25 years of age if they have attained the age of 21 years.
Therefore, the minimum age for becoming a member of a Municipality is 21 years, not 25 years. However, other legal qualifications and disqualifications for membership also apply.
Statement 2 is correct.
According to Article 243T(3), not less than one-third of the total seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for women.
This one-third reservation includes seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Additionally, Article 243T(2) provides that not less than one-third of the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be reserved for women belonging to the respective categories.
Important examination distinction: The Constitution prescribes a minimum reservation of one-third for women. Therefore, a higher proportion may be provided under the applicable law.