Correct answer: (a) G.V.K. Rao Committee – Planning at the Block Level
Explanation
- A
G.V.K. Rao Committee – Planning at the Block Level
G.V.K. Rao Committee – Planning at the Block Level. This option claims that the G.V.K. Rao Committee was appointed for planning at the block level. However, this is the incorrect match because the G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) was actually established to review administrative arrangements for rural development and poverty alleviation programmes, famously describing Panchayati Raj institutions as 'grass without roots'. Therefore, because it did not focus primarily on block level planning, this statement is factually inaccurate and serves as the correct answer.
- B
Dantwala Committee – Rural Credit
Dantwala Committee – Rural Credit. This option claims that the Dantwala Committee was associated with rural credit. This is correctly matched as the Dantwala Committee on Block Level Planning (1978) examined the methodology and guidelines for block level planning, while the Dantwala Committee of 1969 specifically looked at cooperative credit. Thus, this option represents a valid historical match in Indian committee reports.
- C
Santhanam Committee – Panchayati Raj Finances
Santhanam Committee – Panchayati Raj Finances. This option claims that the Santhanam Committee dealt with Panchayati Raj finances. This is a correct match because the Committee on Panchayati Raj Finances (1963), chaired by K. Santhanam, examined the financial resources of Panchayati Raj bodies and made comprehensive recommendations on taxation and grants.
- D
Ashok Mehta Committee – Panchayati Raj Institutions
Ashok Mehta Committee – Panchayati Raj Institutions. This option claims that the Ashok Mehta Committee was constituted for Panchayati Raj institutions. This is correctly matched as the Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-1978) was appointed to inquire into the working of Panchayati Raj institutions and recommended a two-tier system instead of the existing three-tier structure.
Summary. Official key is (a) because the G.V.K. Rao Committee focused on administrative arrangements for rural development rather than planning at the block level. Committees like Dantwala and Ashok Mehta are correctly paired with their respective domains of block level planning and Panchayati Raj institutions. Similarly, the Santhanam Committee accurately corresponds to the study of Panchayati Raj finances in India. Candidates frequently confuse the mandates of the G.V.K. Rao Committee and Dantwala Committee regarding block-level planning. Thus, option (a) stands out as the only incorrectly matched pair among the given choices.