What are the powers and responsibilities given to Nyaya Panchayat?
(A) They can impose fines.
(B) Government schemes like the IRDP and ICDS are monitored by them.
(C) They try to bring about an agreement among contending parties.
(D) They address the issue of dowry and violence against women.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (C) and (D) only
(A) They can impose fines. Correct. Nyaya Panchayats, the village courts set up in some states, hear petty civil and criminal cases. They can impose fines but cannot award a sentence.
(B) Government schemes like the IRDP and ICDS are monitored by them. Incorrect. Schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme and the Integrated Child Development Scheme are monitored by members of the panchayat, the elected village body, as part of its development work; this is not a task of the Nyaya Panchayat, which is a court.
(C) They try to bring about an agreement among contending parties. Correct. These village courts have often been successful in bringing about an agreement amongst contending parties.
(D) They address the issue of dowry and violence against women. Correct. They have been particularly effective in punishing men who harass women for dowry and commit violence against them.
NCERT (2025-26): “Powers and Responsibilities of Panchayats … Nyaya Panchayats have been constituted in some states. They possess the authority to hear some petty, civil and criminal cases. They can impose fines but cannot award a sentence. These village courts have often been successful in bringing about an agreement amongst contending parties. They have been particularly effective in punishing men who harass women for dowry and perpetrate violence against them.” “government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.…” |