Correct Option
The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, institutionalized the Panchayati Raj system. It distinguishes between the Gram Sabha, which serves as the foundational deliberative body comprising all registered voters, and the Gram Panchayat, which acts as the elected executive authority responsible for local administration.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Assertion (A): Correct. The Gram Sabha is a permanent body. It consists of all persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the Panchayat area. Unlike elected representatives who hold office for a specific term, the body of voters (the electorate) remains constant and is not subject to dissolution.
- Reason (R): Correct. The Gram Panchayat is the executive body elected by the members of the Gram Sabha. According to Article 243E of the Constitution, every Panchayat shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer, unless dissolved sooner under applicable laws.
Reasoning for Option (b): While both statements are factually correct, the fixed tenure of the Gram Panchayat (Reason) does not explain why the Gram Sabha is a permanent body (Assertion). The Gram Sabha is permanent because it represents the collective electorate, independent of the tenure of the elected representatives. Therefore, R is not the correct explanation of A.
Key Takeaway: The Gram Sabha is a permanent general assembly of registered voters, whereas the Gram Panchayat is an elected executive body with a fixed five-year tenure subject to dissolution.