Correct answer: (b) Its powers are determined by the Central Government.
Explanation
- A
It has the powers and functions at the village level, like the State Legislature has at the State level.
This option claims that the Gram Sabha possesses powers and functions at the village level similar to what the State Legislature holds at the State level. This statement is factually true under the constitutional framework of the Panchayati Raj system, making it incorrect as the answer since the question asks for what is NOT true.
- B
Its powers are determined by the Central Government.
This option claims that the powers of the Gram Sabha are determined by the Central Government. This statement is false because the Constitution of India and state legislations empower the state governments, not the central government, to determine the powers and functions of the Gram Sabha at the village level. Therefore, this is the correct choice as it represents the untrue statement.
- C
It is a Village Assembly consisting of all registered voters in the area of the Panchayat.
This option claims that the Gram Sabha is a village assembly consisting of all registered voters residing within the area of a panchayat at the village level. This is a true statement according to Article 243(b) of the Indian Constitution, which rules it out as the required answer.
- D
(a) and (c) both
This option claims that both statements (a) and (c) are not true regarding the Gram Sabha. Since statements (a) and (c) are actually correct descriptions of the Gram Sabha under the Constitution, this option is invalid.
Summary. Official key is (b) regarding the incorrect statement about the Gram Sabha. The question requires identifying which of the given statements is false concerning this grassroots institution. Options (a) and (c) correctly describe the constitutional nature and functions of the Gram Sabha as a body of registered voters with state-defined legislative-like powers at the village level. Option (b) falsely attributes the determination of its powers to the Central Government instead of the State Legislature. Thus, only option (b) stands out as the untrue statement, making it the correct official key.