NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Civics - Panchayati Raj

Q1. What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem
Ans: Problem faced by the villagers in Hardas village:
(i) Acute water shortage.
(ii) Hand pump water has gone well below the point up to which the ground has been drilled.
(iii) Women have to go to the Suru River, which is 3 km away, to get water.
Solution done by them to solve this problem:
(i) Piping water from the river Suru and making an overhead tank in the village.
(ii) Deepen the handpumps and clean the wells for this season.
(iii) Finally, they came up with a permanent solution for conserving water or watershed development.

Q2. What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Ans: Importance of Gram Sabha:
(i) The Gram Sabha elect the members of the Gram Panchayat.
(ii) Gram Sabha can question Gram Panchayat and keep watch on their work.
(iii) Local problems of the villagers can be discussed in the meeting.
(iv) They can recommend solutions to the problems.
Yes, I think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings because they can raise the problems they face daily. They can also advise and make aware of the work done by the Gram Panchayat. It is the forum where they can discuss the welfare programmes of the village.

Q3. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans: Link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat:
(i) Gram Sabha elect the members of the Gram Panchayat.
(ii) The Panch and the Gram Panchayat are answerable to the members of Gram Sabha.
(iii) Gram Sabha keeps an eye on the elected representatives of the Gram Panchayat.

Q4. Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/ nearby rural area and find out the following:
(a) Why it was taken up.
(b) Where the money came from.
(c) Whether or not the work has been completed. 
Ans: 
(a) Panchayat needs to construct a building for the middle school.
(b) A major part of the money came from the State Government, and a minor part of the money came from the funds of the Panchayat.
(c) The work has been completed on time.

Q5. What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans: 

Q6. Read the following news item.
Nimone is a village on the Chauphula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to hospital for treatment. In the FIR recorded by the police Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes. Adapted from Indian Express, May 1, 2004
(a) Why was Bhagvan beaten?
(b) Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?
Ans: 
(a) Bhagvan was beaten when he insisted that the water from the tanker should be emptied into the storage tanks built by the Nimone Gram Panchayat as part of the water supply scheme, so everyone would get an equal share of water.
(b) Yes, this is a case of discrimination because the water was not distributed equally to everyone. The water from the tanker was only given to upper-caste people, while lower-caste people were excluded. Additionally, the water was not emptied into the tank built by the Panchayat for equal distribution.

Q7. Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?
Ans: Watershed development is the conservation, recharging, and judicious use of water resources like underground water, rivers, and lands within the watershed area.
Benefits of watershed development in an area:
(i) It makes the land fertile and supports the growth of trees, plants and cultivation.
(ii) Helps preserve water and its resources.
(iii) Prevents soil erosion.