Identifying Committees Related to Panchayati Raj Decentralization

The question requires us to identify which committee among the given options is not associated with the process of decentralization of Panchayati Raj institutions in India. Let's examine each committee:

Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)

This committee is a landmark in the history of Panchayati Raj in India. It strongly recommended the establishment of a democratic decentralization structure, proposing the:

• Gram Panchayat (Village Level)
• Panchayat Samiti (Block Level)
• Zila Parishad (District Level)

This committee's core recommendation was to transfer planning and development functions to these local bodies, embodying the principle of decentralization.

Ashok Mehta Committee (1977-78)

Formed during the Janata Party government, this committee reviewed the working of Panchayati Raj institutions. While it suggested a two-tier structure instead of three, it aimed to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system and enhance its role in rural governance, which is inherently linked to decentralization of power and administration.

L. M. Singhvi Committee (1986)

This committee was crucial in advocating for constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj institutions. It emphasized Gram Sabhas and recommended making Panchayati Raj bodies constitutional entities to ensure their viability and effectiveness, promoting deeper democratic decentralization and village self-governance.

Abhijit Sen Committee (2009)

The Abhijit Sen Committee was primarily established to address issues related to poverty estimation in India. Its main focus was on revising the methodology for determining the Poverty Line. The committee's scope and recommendations did not directly concern the structural or functional aspects of Panchayati Raj institutions or their decentralization.

Key Distinction

While the Balwant Rai Mehta, Ashok Mehta, and L. M. Singhvi Committees were directly involved in recommending reforms and strengthening the decentralized structure of Panchayati Raj, the Abhijit Sen Committee operated in a different domain, focusing on economic policy related to poverty measurement.

Conclusion

Therefore, the committee that stands apart and is NOT associated with the decentralization of Panchayati Raj institutions is the Abhijit Sen Committee.