Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas NCERT Solutions | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

Questions, Activities and Projects

Q1: Test yourself — without looking at the text above, can you name the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system? What are the key functions of each of the three tiers?
Ans. The Three Tiers of the Panchayati Raj System and their Key Functions: 

• Gram Panchayat (Village Level): The Gram Panchayat is responsible for the governance of individual villages or a group of small villages. It handles local issues such as water supply, sanitation, maintenance of village roads, and the implementation of government schemes. It is the most direct link between the villagers and the local government. 
• Panchayat Samiti (Block Level): The Panchayat Samiti serves as an intermediary between the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad. It coordinates the development plans of multiple Gram Panchayats within a block, ensuring that resources and funds are allocated appropriately. It also monitors the implementation of projects and schemes at the block level. 
• Zila Parishad (District Level): The Zila Parishad is the highest level in the Panchayati Raj system. It oversees the functioning of the Panchayat Samitis within the district, ensuring that development plans are effectively executed. The Zila Parishad also plays a key role in coordinating with state-level authorities and managing large-scale projects that affect the entire district.

Q2: Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village.
Ans:
Dear Sarpanch,
I am writing to bring to your attention the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in our village. This not only mars the beauty of our surroundings but also poses health hazards to the residents and animals.
I request you to take necessary actions to clean up the area and implement measures to prevent such littering in the future. Perhaps organizing a village cleanup drive and placing bins at strategic locations can help mitigate this issue.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name]

Q3: In your view, what type of person should be a Gram Panchayat member?
Ans: A Gram Panchayat member should be someone who is dedicated to public service, possesses strong leadership qualities, is honest and trustworthy, and is committed to the welfare and development of the village. They should be good communicators, able to listen to and represent the concerns of villagers, and be proactive in finding solutions to local problems.

Q4. Let us suppose that you study in a village school. The school is located next to a highway and students find it difficult to cross the road when they come to school or leave at the end of the day. What are the options to solve this issue? Which institutions in the Panchayati Raj can help you? What can the students do?
Ans: To solve the issue of safely crossing the highway, the following options can be considered:

1. Requesting the construction of a pedestrian crossing or footbridge.
2. Installing traffic signals or speed bumps near the school.
3. Assigning a traffic warden to assist students in crossing the road during school hours.

The Gram Panchayat can take up this issue with the Panchayat Samiti, which can then coordinate with the district authorities for necessary action. Students can organize a petition, gather signatures from parents and villagers, and present it to the Panchayat members, highlighting the urgency of the matter.

The Big Questions

Q1: What are Panchayati Raj institutions?
Ans: Panchayati Raj institutions are systems of local self-government in rural areas, consisting of elected councils at the village, block, and district levels. They allow villagers to participate directly in governance and address local issues.

Q2: What are their functions?
Ans: Panchayati Raj institutions are responsible for various functions, including agriculture, housing, road maintenance, water resource management, education, health care, social welfare, and cultural activities.

Q3: Why are they important in governance and democracy?
Ans: Panchayati Raj institutions are important because they bring governance closer to the people, enabling active participation in decision-making. They promote local development, ensure that government schemes reach the grassroots level, and empower disadvantaged sections of society, including women.

Let's Explore

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Q: As a class activity, let four or five students form a Bal Panchayat and the rest of the class imagine they are the villagers. What issues will the Gram Sabha discuss? What challenges could it encounter? What solutions will it propose?
Ans: In this class activity, they could discuss various issues relevant to the village. Key topics might include improving school facilities, addressing sanitation and hygiene, ensuring safe drinking water, and managing waste, particularly plastic. The Sabha might also discuss child labour and the need for every child in the village to attend school.
Challenges the Gram Sabha could encounter include resistance from villagers who are accustomed to certain practices, such as using child labour or neglecting sanitation. There may also be disagreements on prioritizing issues, limited resources, and potential difficulties in implementing decisions due to a lack of cooperation from some villagers.
To address these challenges, the Bal Panchayat could propose solutions such as awareness campaigns to educate villagers about the importance of education and sanitation, organizing community clean-up drives, and seeking external support or funding for projects like building school infrastructure. They could also involve local authorities or NGOs to help enforce child labour laws and provide necessary resources. Encouraging active participation and collaboration from all villagers would be essential in overcoming challenges and implementing effective solutions.

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Q1: What similarities and differences do you notice between the governance system at the Central level and at the Panchayat level? (Hint: refer back to Chapter 10 if required.)
Ans: Similarities between the Governance System at the Central Level and the Panchayat Level: 

• Democratic Structure: Both the Central government and Panchayati Raj institutions function democratically. At both levels, representatives are elected by the people—Members of Parliament at the Central level and members of the Gram Panchayat at the village level.
• Three-Tier Structure: The Central government has a three-tier structure (Central, State, Local), and similarly, the Panchayati Raj system operates at three levels (village, block, district). 
• Law-Making and Implementation: Both levels involve decision-making and the implementation of laws and policies. The Central government makes laws for the entire country, while Panchayati Raj institutions create regulations that cater to the needs of local communities.

Differences: 

• Scope of Governance: The Central government governs the entire nation, dealing with national and international issues, while Panchayati Raj institutions focus on local governance, addressing the specific needs of rural areas. 
• Powers and Functions: The Central government has a broad range of powers, including defence, foreign policy, and national economy, while Panchayats mainly handle local issues such as water supply, sanitation, and rural development. 
• Representation: At the Central level, representatives are elected from large constituencies, whereas, at the Panchayat level, members are elected from small, local communities, allowing for more direct interaction with the electorate.

Q2: If you get an opportunity to meet a few Panchayat members, what questions would you like to ask them? Discuss in small groups to create a questionnaire. Meet some Gram Panchayat members or invite them to your school. Ask them the questions in your questionnaire and write a short report.
Ans: Questionnaire for Meeting Panchayat Members
Possible Questions:

• What motivated you to become a member of the Panchayat?
• Can you describe some of the key issues your Panchayat has addressed recently?
• How do you involve the villagers in decision-making processes?
• What are the biggest challenges you face in implementing development projects?
• How do you ensure that government schemes reach the people who need them most?
• What steps are being taken to improve education and healthcare in the village?
• How does your Panchayat address issues of sanitation and waste management?
• What role do women play in your Panchayat? Are their voices adequately represented?
• How does the Panchayat handle conflicts or disputes within the village?
• What future plans does the Panchayat have for the development of the village?

Short Report Outline:

• Introduction: Brief overview of the purpose of the meeting with Panchayat members.
• Key Discussions: Summary of the responses to the questions, highlighting the main issues and challenges faced by the Panchayat.
• Observations: Insights into the functioning ofthe Panchayat, the involvement of the community, and the effectiveness of governance at the local level.
• Conclusion: Reflection on the importance of Panchayati Raj institutions in empowering rural communities and suggestions for improving their effectiveness.

Think About It

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Q: How do you think can these old maps be helpful for us? Can they tell us something about the past and the present?
Ans: Old maps can be incredibly valuable for understanding both the past and the present. They provide insights into historical land use, ownership patterns and the layout of villages, helping us trace changes in the landscape over time. By comparing old maps with current ones, we can identify shifts in agricultural practices, population growth and the development of infrastructure. These maps also preserve cultural and historical knowledge that may have been lost, offering a glimpse into the past that can inform present-day decisions related to land management, conservation, and heritage preservation.

Page 170

Q: Why do you think it is important for the government to pay more attention to the needs and problems of the disadvantaged sections of society?
Ans: It is crucial for the government to focus on the needs of disadvantaged sections because they often lack the resources and opportunities available to others, making them more vulnerable to poverty, discrimination, and social exclusion. Addressing their problems ensures a more equitable society where everyone has a fair chance to succeed. By providing targeted support in areas like education, healthcare and employment, the government can help uplift these communities, reduce inequalities, and promote social justice. This, in turn, strengthens the overall social fabric and contributes to the nation's development and stability.