GK Question

polity hard true_false

Activity Mapping, recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission, is a tool to operationalize devolution under the 73rd Amendment by clearly assigning specific activities under 11th Schedule subjects to Panchayats, State departments, or joint responsibility.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Activity Mapping for Panchayat empowerment: (a) Concept: Activity Mapping is a tool to operationalize devolution under 73rd Amendment by clearly assigning specific activities under 11th Schedule subjects to Panchayats, State departments, or joint responsibility, (b) Rationale: (i) Clarity: Reduces ambiguity about which level responsible for which activity, preventing overlap, gaps, (ii) Accountability: Clear assignment enables accountability for service delivery, resource utilization, (iii) Capacity planning: Identifies capacity needs at each level for effective implementation, (c) Applications: (i) Progressive States: Kerala, Karnataka have developed comprehensive Activity Maps for 11th Schedule subjects, enabling effective devolution, (ii) Sectoral examples: In health, Activity Map may assign village-level awareness to Panchayat, primary health centers to State, specialist care to higher levels, (iii) Planning: Activity Maps inform Panchayat plans, budgets, ensuring alignment with assigned responsibilities, (d) Challenges: (i) Political will: Activity Mapping requires State commitment to devolution; some States resist clear assignment to retain control, (ii) Capacity: Panchayats need resources, training to perform assigned activities effectively, (iii) Coordination: Joint responsibilities require clear coordination mechanisms, avoiding duplication, gaps, (e) Illustrates operational federalism: Activity Mapping translates constitutional devolution framework into actionable assignments; enables effective local governance through clarity, accountability, capacity building.

Topic 73rd Amendment - Panchayat Empowerment through Activity Mapping
Exam Relevance Activity Mapping for Panchayats critical for UPSC Mains and State PSC exams