The correct Answer is Pair A only
Explanation
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 introduced a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj institutions in India, aiming at democratic decentralization. This system includes Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti (or Mandal/Block Panchayat) at the intermediate level, and Zilla Parishad (or District Panchayat) at the district level. It also mandated the establishment of Gram Sabha.
Statement-wise Analysis
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Pair A: Gram Panchayat | Covers a village or group of villages
Correct. The Gram Panchayat is the executive body at the village level, constituted for a village or a group of villages.
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Pair B: Mandal Panchayat | Covers the entire district
Incorrect. A Mandal Panchayat (also known as Block Panchayat or Panchayat Samiti) operates at the intermediate or block level, not the entire district. The Zilla Panchayat covers the entire district.
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Pair C: Zilla Panchayat | Covers the intermediary block level
Incorrect. The Zilla Panchayat (or District Panchayat/Zilla Parishad) covers the entire district. The intermediary block level is covered by the Mandal Panchayat or Panchayat Samiti.
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Pair D: Gram Sabha | Comprises only elected representatives
Incorrect. The Gram Sabha is the primary body of the Panchayati Raj system, comprising all adult persons registered as voters in the Panchayat area. It is not limited to elected representatives; rather, it is the general assembly of all eligible voters in the village.
Key Takeaway
The 73rd Amendment established a three-tier Panchayati Raj system with specific jurisdictional scopes: Gram Panchayat for villages, Panchayat Samiti for blocks, and Zilla Parishad for districts, with the Gram Sabha comprising all adult voters of the village.