Which of the following committees recommended the establishment of a State Election Commission for the conduction of elections to the Panchayats?

Option 1 : Gadgil committee

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. Gadgil committee.

• Gadgil committee was constituted in 1988 under the chairmanship of V.N Gadgil.
• The recommendations of this committee are as follows:
  • A constitutional status should be bestowed on the Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • A three-tier system of Panchayati Raj with panchayats at the village, block and district levels.
  • The term of Panchayati Raj institutions should be fixed at five years.
  • The members of the Panchayats at all three levels should be directly elected.
  • Reservation for SCs, STs and women.
  • The Panchayati Raj bodies should have the responsibility of preparation and implementation of plans for socio-economic development. For this purpose, a list of subjects should be specified in the constitution.
  • The Panchayat Raj bodies should be empowered to levy, collect and appropriate taxes and duties.
  • Establishment of a State Finance Commission for the allocation of finances to the Panchayats.
  • Establishment of a State Election Commission for the conduction of elections to the panchayats.
• Panchayat Raj system means rural local self-government.
• This system in India was constitutionalised through the 73rd amendment act under the Narasimha Rao government in 1992.
• This is a three tier system-
  • Gram panchayat at the village level
  • Panchayat Samiti at the block level
  • Zila Parishad at the district level