Local Government in Rural Areas Chapter Notes | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

India is a vast and diverse country with about 600,000 villages, 8,000 towns, and over 4,000 cities. Nearly two-thirds of India's population lives in rural areas. For Example a small village called Lakshmanpur in the foothills of the Himalayas. With around 200 houses and a population of about 700 people, most of whom are farmers, the villagers cultivate their lands and raise animals like cows and goats. Some villagers have family members in the armed forces, while a few younger ones have moved to cities for better job opportunities.

To govern such a complex society, India has a unique system of local governance known as the Panchayati Raj system. This system ensures that governance reaches the grassroots level, empowering people to participate actively in their own development. Let’s take a journey to Lakshmanpur, a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas, to understand how this system works.

Panchayati Raj System

Panchayat System: What is it?

• In every Indian village, there is a local government system called the 'Panchayat.' This system is like a village council that helps in governing the village.
• The Panchayat system, also known as Panchayati Raj, allows people to participate in decision-making and manage their own affairs.
• The Panchayati Raj system operates on three levels: the village, the block, and the district, which is known as a three-tier system.

Responsibilities of Panchayati Raj

The Panchayati Raj system is responsible for various aspects of village life, including:

• Agriculture: Support and development of farming activities.
• Housing: Ensuring proper housing and infrastructure.
• Road Maintenance: Looking after the condition of roads.
• Water Resources: Management and distribution of water resources.
• Education: Overseeing local education facilities and initiatives.
• Health Care: Ensuring access to health care services.
• Social Welfare: Implementing programs for the welfare of all community members.
• Cultural Activities: Promoting and supporting cultural events and activities.

Participation and Development

• The Panchayati Raj system encourages active participation from villagers in decision-making and development processes.
• It ensures that the benefits of government schemes reach everyone at the grassroots level, promoting equity and development across the district.

Gram Panchayat

The Role and Structure of the Gram Panchayat in Rural Governance

• The Gram Panchayat is the foundation of local governance in rural areas.
• It is the closest administrative unit to the people in rural communities.
• Members of the Gram Panchayat are elected directly by the Gram Sabha.
• The Gram Sabha is made up of adults from a village or a group of nearby villages who are enrolled as voters .
• In the Gram Sabha, both women and men discuss local issues and make decisions together.
• Each Gram Panchayat elects a head or president, known as the Sarpanch or Pradhan .
• In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women becoming Sarpanchs , reflecting greater gender equality in local leadership roles.

Role of Panchayat Secretary

• The Panchayat Secretary assists the Gram Panchayat by performing various administrative functions. 
• This includes calling meetings, maintaining records, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Panchayat.

Role of Patwari

• In many parts of India, the Gram Panchayat is also assisted by an officer called 'Patwari.' The Patwari is responsible for maintaining the land records of the villagers.
• In some cases, the Patwari keepsold maps that have been in existence for generations, which helps in managing land ownership and usage effectively.

Exemplary Sarpanchs

The role of a Sarpanch is crucial in driving development and addressing issues. Here are a few inspiring examples:

• Dnyaneshwar Kamble, a transgender individual, was elected as the Sarpanch of Tarangfal village in Maharashtra's Solapur district in 2017. His motto, "Seva to the village is seva to the public," reflects his commitment to community service. Kamble triumphed over six other candidates to secure the position.
• Vandana Bahadur Maida, a member of the Bhil community in Khankhandvi village, Madhya Pradesh, broke patriarchal barriers to become her village's first female Sarpanch. She encouraged local women to participate in Sabha meetings and tackled crucial issues like education and sanitation, gaining widespread recognition. Vandana's journey exemplifies the impactful role of women in transforming rural India.
• Hiware Bazar, a village in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, faced challenges of drought and low agricultural productivity. Under the leadership of Popatrao Baguji Pawar as Sarpanch, the village adopted Anna Hazare's model of rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation, and extensive tree planting. These efforts significantly recharged groundwater and transformed Hiware Bazar into a green and prosperous village within a few years. In recognition of his contributions, Shri Popatrao Pawar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020.

Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative

• Panchayats are meant to listen to everyone, including children. The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative helps children share their thoughts on things that matter to them.
• In many States, efforts are being made to involve children in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats regularly. Village elders work to address the issues raised by children.
• For instance, Maharashtra has seen Bal Panchayats tackling problems like child labour and child marriage . These groups encourage parents to send their kids back to school and delay marriages for girls who should be studying.
• Some Gram Panchayats have been recognized for their child-friendly efforts . For example, Sikkim's Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat has focused on children's needs by building compound walls around schools for safety and constructing kitchens to provide hygienic midday meals .
• In Rajasthan, the 'Children's Parliament' initiative, part of Bunker Roy's 'Barefoot College' program, empowers disadvantaged children through education and democratic participation. Children aged 8 to 14 engage in governance, learning about democracy and social responsibility. The initiative includes night schools and parliament-like elections , where children form a Cabinet to oversee school management and address community needs.
• The Children's Parliament has won several awards, including the World's Children's Honorary Award in 2001, for its impact on community development and social awareness.

Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad

Did the Panchayat Samiti function at the block level?

Yes, The Panchayat Samiti operates at the block level, serving as a link between the Gram Panchayat at the village level and the Zila Parishad at the district level. It helps coordinate development programs and policies across multiple villages within a block.

• Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are similar organizations found at the block and district levels, which are above the village level. 
• The Panchayat Samiti at the block level connects the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad at the district level. 
• Members of these institutions are elected by local people, but they can also include other members such as Sarpanchs from nearby villages and local representatives from the State Legislative Assembly. 
• The makeup of Panchayat Samitis varies from one state to another, but they all share the common goal of enhancing local people's participation. 
• They coordinate activities among Gram Panchayats, such as gathering development plans from all Gram Panchayats and consolidating them for presentation at the District or State levels. 
• This process helps secure funding for development projects and government initiatives, like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which supports building all-weather roads in rural areas. 
• At all three levels, special rules exist to ensure that the needs and problems of disadvantaged groups are heard. 
• There are also rules to reserve one-third of the seats for women in these institutions. 
• It's important to note that while the structure and functions of Panchayati Raj institutions may slightly differ across states, their goals remain consistent. 
• The main aim is to empower villagers to actively participate in managing and developing their villages and local areas. 
• It’s interesting to consider what names we would use today for these four categories, reflecting on the fact that such a structure was envisioned a long time ago.

The ArthaShästra: Ancient Wisdom on Governance 

• The ArthaShästra is a very old book about how to govern a country, written by a wise man named Kautilya, also known as Chänakya, around 2,300 years ago.
• This book talks about many important things, like how to organize and run a state, make the economy strong and prosperous, what a ruler should do, and how to plan for war.
• Kautilya was very knowledgeable about how to manage a state. He wrote about how to set up a system of administration from the village level all the way to the regional capital.
• In the ArthaShästra, Kautilya describes how to organize the administration of a state based on the number of villages:
  • Sangrahana: For every 10 villages, there should be a sub-district headquarters.
  • Kärvatika: For every 100 villages, there should be a district headquarters.
  • Dronamukha: For every 400 villages, there should be an administrative unit.
  • Sthännya: For every 800 villages, there should be a provincial headquarters.

Conclusion

The Panchayati Raj system is a cornerstone of Indian democracy, ensuring that even the most remote villages have a voice in governance. By understanding and participating in this system, villagers can directly influence their development and improve their quality of life. This decentralized approach not only strengthens democracy but also fosters a sense of community and collective responsibility.