General Studies · Political Decentralisation and Panchayati Raj

Which of the following statements regarding political decentralisation and the Panchayati Raj system are correct? I. It involves the transfer of political power and decision-making authority to elected bodies such as Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats. II. According to the Political Approach, the creation of rural local self-governing bodies like Panchayati Raj is a politically determined process. III. The three-tier structure of rural local government includes the Zilla Parishad at the district level and the Mandal Parishad/Panchayat Samiti at the block level. IV. This form of decentralisation is the primary mechanism used to ensure countrywide uniformity in technical functions like communications and defence. Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: