Class 6 Civics Chapter 4 Question Answers - Panchayati Raj

Short Question Answers:

Q1: What are the functions of the Gram Sabha?

Ans: The Gram Sabha is the key factor in making the Gram Panchayat a responsible local body. It prevents the village Panchayat from doing wrong things like misusing money. It plays an important role in keeping an eye on the elected members.

Q2: Describe the importance of the local government.

Ans: The local government develops the feeling of self-reliance among the local people. It develops initiative and a spirit of cooperation. It trains local people to run the Central and State administrations. It finishes the local work with speed and with minimum expenditure.

Q3: What is the main objective of the Village Panchayat?

Ans: The main objective of the village Panchayat is to improve the condition of the villagers and to make them self-sufficient.

Q4: Does the Right to Information Act also include the Panchayati Raj System?

Ans: The RTI Act was approved by the Parliament; it covers not only government offices at the Centre but also all government bodies set up by the States and Union Territories. Panchayati Raj Institutions (Part IX) of the Indian Constitution are covered by the Act. t provides citizens the right to access information related to the Panchayati Raj System. Citizens can examine works, documents, and records of the government.

Q5: Who forms the Gram Panchayat and for what term are they elected?

Ans: The Ward members (Panchs) and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat. Gram Panchayat is elected for a term of five years.

Q6: Describe the formation of a Panchayat.

Ans: Each village Panchayat has divided into wards i.e division into smaller areas. Citizens of each ward elect a representative who is known as the Ward Member or Panch. All the ward members together make a Panchayat.

Q7: What are the objectives of the watershed development program?

Ans: The objectives of the "watershed development program" are:-

• To control desertification
• To encourage the restoration of ecological balance
• To promote the economic development of the village community

 Q8: Discuss the role of Gram Sabha.

Ans: Gram Sabha finalizes and approves the list of people below the poverty line in rural areas. The Gram Sabha is a key factor in making the Gram Panchayat play its responsibility and be accountable. It is the place where all plans and policies for the work of the Gram Panchayat are placed before the people. The Gram Sabha checks the Panchayat from doing incorrect things like misusing money or favoring certain people. It plays an important role in keeping a watch on the elected representatives and in making them answerable to the people who elected them.

Q9: What are the responsibilities of the Sarpanch in Gram Panchayat?

Ans: Sarpanch has various responsibilities, some of which are as follows:-

• Looking after street lights, construction and repair work of the roads in the villages, and also the village markets, fairs, festivals and celebrations.
• Keeping a record of births, deaths, and marriages in the village.
• Looking after public health and hygiene by providing facilities for sanitation and drinking water.
• Providing for education. Implementing development schemes for agriculture and animal husbandry.

 Q10: Where does the Gram Panchayat get its funds from?

Ans: The source of funds of Gram Panchayat are:

• Collection of taxes on houses, marketplaces, etc.
• Government scheme funds are received through various departments of the government- through the Janpad and Zila Panchayats.
• Donations for community works etc.

 Q11: Which award is given by the Government for excellence by the Panchs?

Ans: The Panchs of different Gram Panchayats are awarded the "Nirmal Gram Puraskar" by the central government for their excellent work every year.

Q12: What is the function of the third level of Panchayati Raj?

Ans: Zilla Parishad or District Panchayat is the apex body of the Panchayati Raj System. It examines and approves the budget of panchayat samiti in the district. Issues directions to the panchayat samiti for the efficient performance of their functions. Coordinates development plans prepared by the panchayat samiti. It distributed funds, allocated by the State government to the panchayat samiti in the district. It collects statistics relating to the activities of local authorities in the district.

Q13: State the main objectives of Panchayati Raj.

Ans: Helps in strengthening democracy at the grassroots level. It has twin objectives:- Democratic decentralization and local participation

Q14: Name the officer who has the greatest importance in community development.

Ans: Block Development officer has the greatest importance in community development.

Q15: How is the Pradhan of the village Panchayat elected?

Ans: The elected members of the Gram Panchayat elect from among themselves a Sarpanch and a Deputy Sarpanch for a term of five years.

Q16: Who is a Sarpanch?

Ans: All the members of the Gram Sabha elect a Sarpanch who is the Panchayat President. Seats for Sarpanch are reserved for women who belong to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Sarpanch presides over the meetings of the Panchayat.

Q17: What are the duties of a District Commissioner?

Ans: The District Commissioner is also called the collector or District Officer. He is the representative of the state Government. He looks after the district administration. It is his duty to coordinate the work of the government officers of the district.

Q18: Explain all the functions of the Zila Parishad.

Ans: The main function of the Zila Parishad is to coordinate all the activities of the Panchayati Raj. It advises the State government on the work of the Panchayats and the Samitis. It prepares a plan for its district development.

Q19: What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?

Ans: The villagers in Hardas village were facing water problems. The problem was discussed in the Gram Sabha meeting and a conclusion was arrived at; thus, the watershed development program came into operation. Soon it was completed and the villagers took a sigh of relief.

Q20: Explain the relation between the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha.

Ans: The work of the Gram Panchayat has to be approved by the Gram Sabha. In some states, Gram Sabha forms committees like construction and development committees. The members are from the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. They work together to carry out specific tasks.

Q21: What problems are discussed in the meeting of the Gram Sabha?

Ans: The meeting of the Gram Sabha begins with the Panchayat president. The members of the Gram Panchayat present a plan for repairing the road that connects the village to the main highway. They also discuss the water and water shortages. Finally, they discuss the finalization of the BPL list, which has to be approved by the Gram Sabha.

Q22: What was the criterion for making the BPL list?

Ans: The first Below Poverty Line was made in the Rajya Sabha on December 21, 1978, by the then Prime Minister. BPL was based on the rupee value of a specified nutritional requirement. The cost of the grain that fulfills this nutritional standard was calculated. This cost was the poverty line.

Q23: Mention the powers of the Nyaya Panchayat.

Ans: The Nyaya Panchayat has the power to settle only minor and criminal cases such as theft, gambling, simple injury, etc. It can impose a fine of up to one hundred rupees. It cannot send any person to jail. It also solves disputes relating to custody and maintenance of children and dependants. The cases tried by the Nyaya Panchayat are decided quickly in an inexpensive manner.

Q24: Describe the success of the Panchayati Raj

Ans: The Panchayati Raj has not been able to achieve its aim fully. The Panchayati Raj has set up a link between the government and the villages in every corner of the country. The villages in India have become politically awakened and in almost every home people discuss the problems of the country.

Q25: Describe the failure of the Panchayati Raj.

Ans: The Panchayati Raj system faces problems like lack of money, political interference, corruption, and domination by powerful elites. These challenges stop it from effectively helping local villages with development and governance.

Q26: Why do we need a local government?

Ans: A local government is very important. The local bodies aim to solve the local problems by cooperation and without depending upon others. The local people only know their problems and to meet their needs, it is the local people who take an interest. They also finish the work with speed and with the least expenditure. The local government also lightens the work of the Central and State governments. They also provide training in administration to the people at lower levels.

Q27: What are the key features of Gram Sabha in the Gram Panchayat?

Ans: The quorum for a Gram Sabha meeting remains one-tenth of the total number of members. It is important to have 1/3rd of the quorum as women members. Gram Sabha will have a supervisory body that audits and regulates the functioning of the Gram Panchayat. The recommendation of the Gram Sabha will be binding on the Gram Panchayat. The secretary of the Gram Panchayat can be removed only if the Gram Sabha approves it. All the villages within the Gram Panchayat can have separate Gram Sabha.

Q28: Why do you think Panchayats are so important in our country?

Ans: Panchayats have been in existence for ages. After the 73rd amendment of the Indian constitution in 1993, they got the constitutional status. The panchayats have been conceived as development agencies. They aim at rural development by involving the rural community. Panchayati Raj strengthens the foundation of the Indian democracy. It provides representation to the weaker sections of the society namely, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and women. The Gram Panchayat maintains water sources, village wells, tanks and pumps, street lighting, and drainage systems. The Panchayati Raj system also reduces the burden of the state government. Though the Panchayati Raj system functions independently, it is the state government that formulates the rules and regulations regarding the functioning of the local self-government. Due to all these reasons, the Panchayati Raj system is very important for the successful administration of a democratic country like India.

Long Question Answers:

Q1: Explain Mahatma Gandhi’s belief related to the Panchayati Raj.

Ans: Gandhi’s idea of village Swaraj is that of a complete republic. The working of day-to-day activities of the village will be conducted by the Panchayat of five persons, annually elected by elderly male and female villagers, possessing minimum prescribed qualifications. Panchayats will have all the power and authority required. He believed that the strengthening of village Panchayats would help the process of effective de-centralization.

Q2: Explain the role of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti.

Ans: Every Panchayat Samiti elects two of its members as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Their tenure of office is for five years. They can be removed by the Panchayat Samiti members by passing a resolution supported by a 2/3rd majority. Seats for the post of Chairman are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Q3: What in your opinion is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings and why?

Ans: The Gram Sabha is of great importance to all of us who are living in villages. In the Gram Sabha, all important issues regarding the development of a village are discussed and Gram Panchayat works according to the agenda laid down in and passed by the Gram Sabha. Yes, all the members should attend Gram Sabha meetings because this practice will automatically educate the participants and they would learn the procedure for calling the meeting.