Consider the following statements : With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
I only
B
II only
C
Both I and II
D
Neither I nor II
Correct Answer
Explanation
Option (D) is correct because the executive power of a State continues to apply to Scheduled Areas, and the Union Government is only empowered to give directions to the State regarding their administration rather than taking it over. Statement II is the most tempting error as it confuses the Union's power to issue directions with the "total takeover" of administration, which is not provided for under the Fifth Schedule. The core concept tested is the special administrative machinery for Scheduled Areas under Article 244(1) and the Fifth Schedule, focusing on the distribution of powers between the State and the Union.
Fifth ScheduleAdministration of Scheduled AreasFifth ScheduleScheduled AreasExecutive PowerGovernor's PowersTribal Administration