UPSC Prelims 2011 Q73: Indian Polity – Local Government & Panchayati Raj
Consider the following statements: In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee
1. Is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
2. Prepares the draft development plans for metropolitan area.
3. Has the sole responsibility for implementing Government - sponsored schemes in the
metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
What a Metropolitan Planning Committee actually does
The Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) is a constitutional body for urban planning in large metro areas.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Constituted under the Constitution of India | Correct | Article 243ZE, added by the 74th Amendment (1992), mandates MPCs for metropolitan areas |
| 2. Prepares draft development plans for the metropolitan area | Correct | The MPC's core function is to consolidate plans from local bodies into a draft development plan for the metro area |
| 3. Has sole responsibility for implementing government-sponsored schemes | Incorrect | The MPC is a planning body, not an implementation agency; it does not have sole responsibility for scheme implementation |
Metropolitan Planning Committee:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Constitutional basis | Article 243ZE (74th Amendment) |
| Core role | Planning, not implementation |
| Output | Draft development plan for the metropolitan area |
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The MPC's constitutional basis and its role in preparing draft development plans are both accurate; it has no sole implementation role.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 (constitutional basis under Article 243ZE) is also correct, so '2 only' is incomplete.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3's implementation claim is false, so including it alongside statement 1 is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3's claim of sole implementation responsibility is false, so 'all three' cannot be correct.
Key point
The Metropolitan Planning Committee (Article 243ZE) is constitutionally mandated and prepares draft development plans for metro areas — it does NOT have sole responsibility for implementing government schemes.
Remember
Metropolitan Planning Committee (Art. 243ZE): prepares draft development plans; NOT the sole implementer of government schemes.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the MPC's planning function with an implementation role it does not have.
- Not knowing the MPC's specific constitutional basis in Article 243ZE.
- Assuming every urban body with planning power also directly executes government schemes.
Exam tip
MPC = plans, does not implement. Any option giving it 'sole responsibility' for scheme implementation is the trap.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 243ZE (Metropolitan Planning Committee)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (Municipalities)