With reference to the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) on Panchayati Raj, which of the following statement/s is/are correct?

(1) The three tier system of Panchayati Raj should be replaced by the two tier system.
(2) A block should be the first point for decentralization under popular supervision below the state level.

Select the correct answer using the code given below -

Explanation

The main recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) were:

The 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj should be replaced by the 2-tier system, Zilla Parishad at the district level, and below it, the Mandal Panchayat consisting of a group of villages covering a population of 15000 to 20000.

The current Panchayati Raj system in India is based on the recommendations of Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957). The committee's recommendations included establishing a three-tier Panchayati Raj system, with Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samitis at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level.