खालील विधाने विचारात घ्या :
(a) ग्रामपंचायत हे ब्रिटीशांच्या काळापासूनच स्थानिक प्रशासनाचे एकक होते, परंतु त्यांना शासकीय नियंत्रणाखाली काम करावे लागत असे.
(b) भारत सरकार अधिनियम 1919 मध्ये 'स्थानिक स्वशासन' बाबत कायदे करण्याचा अधिकार खास करून प्रांतिक विधिमंडळास प्रांतिक वैधानिक यादीतील नोंद. क्र. 12 अन्वये दिला होता.
(c) भारतीय राज्यघटनेच्या अनुच्छेद 41 अन्वये राज्य ग्रामपंचायती संघटित करण्यासाठी उपाय योजना करील.
वरीलपैकी कोणते विधान/ने बरोबर आहे/त ?

The correct answer is Option A ((a) only).

Key Points:
• Historical Evolution of Village Panchayats in India:
• Statement (a) is CORRECT: Under British colonial rule, traditional village panchayats were gradually recognized as formal administrative units (e.g., through Bengal Chowkidari Act 1870 and Bombay Village Panchayats Act 1920), but they remained tightly subordinated to district magistrates and colonial officials.
• Statement (b) is INCORRECT: In the Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms), local self-government was introduced as a Transferred Subject in the provinces entrusted to elected Indian ministers, but the relevant entry in the Provincial List was Entry 2 (not Entry 12). (Entry 12 in provincial lists of 1935 related to fisheries).
• Statement (c) is INCORRECT: The organization of Village Panchayats is constitutionally enshrined under Article 40 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, not Article 41. (Article 41 provides for the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in certain cases).
• Therefore, only statement (a) is correct according to the official key.
• Key Takeaway: Article 40 directs the state to organize Village Panchayats; GOI Act 1919 made local self-government a transferred provincial subject.