Previous Year Question
The members of the Panchayat Samiti are
nominated by the Block Development Officer
nominated by the Zila Panchayat Chairman
directly elected by the people
indirectly elected by the members of the Village Panchayat
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
This question is based on the traditional structure of Panchayati Raj outlined by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee. Under its original recommendation, the Panchayat Samiti was to be constituted through indirect elections from the Village Panchayats.
The Committee recommended the Panchayat Samiti at the Block level. Gram Panchayat constituted the village level, Panchayat Samiti the intermediate/block level and Zila Parishad the district level. Thus, the Panchayat Samiti served as the institutional link between the village and district levels.
The Committee's scheme used indirect electoral linkage to connect the higher tiers with the directly participatory village level. In particular, the relevant recommendation expressly provided for constituting the Panchayat Samiti through indirect elections from Village Panchayats.
The present constitutional position must, however, be understood separately. After the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, Article 243C(2) provides that all elected seats in a Panchayat are to be filled through direct election from territorial constituencies. Article 243C(3) also permits a State Legislature to provide representation of village-level Chairpersons and others in an intermediate Panchayat.