Consider the following statements:

1. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States.
2. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person should attain the age of thirty years.
3. The Chief Minister of a State constitutes a commission to review the financial position of Panchayats at the intermediate levels and to make recommendations regarding the distribution of net proceeds of the taxes and duties, leviable by the State, between the State and Panchayats at the intermediate level.

Which of the statements given above are not correct?

1. I and II only
2. II and III only
3. I and III only
4. I, II and III

Explanation

Statement I is incorrect

• The 73^rd Amendment Act of 1992 added Part IX to the Constitution, granting constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. It introduced a uniform three-tier system of panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels across states. However, states with a population not exceeding 20 lakhs are exempt from forming intermediate-level panchayats.

Statement II is incorrect

• 21 years is the minimum age for contesting elections to panchayats.

Statement III is incorrect

• The Governor of a state shall constitute a Finance Commission every five years to review the financial position of the Panchayats.

Answer: (d) I, II and III; Difficulty Level: Easy