Local Self-Government Rural Local Institutions Chapter Notes | Civics Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

Meaning and Significance of Local Self-Government

• Local self-government is the system where local bodies, elected by the people, manage community affairs.
• In villages, this is done by Panchayats; in towns and cities, by Municipal Corporations or Municipalities.
• It forms the foundation of democracy by allowing local people to govern themselves.
• It provides training for locals to develop skills for larger roles at state or national levels.
• It helps the government reach citizens during emergencies through local institutions.
• It reduces the administrative burden on state and national governments.
• It encourages active participation of locals in managing their own administration.

Example: In a village, the Gram Panchayat decides to repair a damaged bridge. The elected members discuss the issue, allocate funds, and involve villagers in the process, ensuring the work meets local needs. This shows how local self-government directly addresses community issues.

Salient Features of the 73^rd Amendment Act, 1992

• The Panchayati Raj system was first introduced in Nagaur, Rajasthan, in 1959, followed by Andhra Pradesh.
• The 73^rd Amendment Act, 1992, made it compulsory for states to establish the Panchayati Raj system.
• It introduced a three-tier system for states with a population over 20 lakh: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad.
• Panchayat elections are held every five years to ensure regular representation.
• One-third of Panchayat seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
• The Act mandates the creation of a State Finance Commission to recommend ways to improve Panchayats' financial powers.

Local Self-Government vs. Local Government

• Local government involves administration by state-appointed officials like patwaris or village chowkidars.
• Local self-government involves officials elected by the local community, ensuring direct representation.

Significance of Local Self-Government

• It acts as the base of democracy by letting local people handle their own matters.
• It helps locals gain skills and experience to take on bigger roles at state or national levels.
• It allows the government to connect with common people during emergencies through local bodies.
• It lowers the workload of state and national governments by managing local areas.
• It promotes active involvement of local people in running their own administration, like participating in Gram Panchayat discussions.

Panchayati Raj System

• It operates at three levels: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), and Zilla Parishad (district).
• Nyay Panchayats provide quick justice, with one Nyay Panchayat serving every three to four villages.

Qualifications Required for Election to Local Bodies

• Must be an Indian citizen and at least 21 years old.
• Must be a registered voter.
• Must not have been convicted or disqualified by law.
• Must not hold any office of profit under the government.

Gram Panchayat

• The Gram Sabha includes all village adults over 18 years who elect Gram Panchayat members.
• The Sarpanch is the head, supported by a Vice Sarpanch, both elected and unpaid.
• Membership varies from 5 to 31 based on village size.
• One-third of seats are reserved for women, with additional reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Administrative Functions

• Maintains village infrastructure like roads, bridges, tanks, and wells.
• Ensures sanitation and establishes dispensaries and health centers.
• Provides primary education for children.
• Supports farmers with irrigation facilities, seeds, and fertilizers.
• Manages records of common village property, including sales and purchases.

Social and Economic Functions

• Builds libraries, guest houses, and marriage halls.
• Organizes village fairs and exhibitions.
• Establishes fair price shops and cooperative credit societies.
• Develops recreational spaces like parks, gardens, and playgrounds.

Judicial Functions

• Nyay Panchayats (Panchayati Adalats) handle justice in villages, ensuring quick and affordable solutions.
• They cannot impose imprisonment or allow lawyers to appear.
• Decisions within their jurisdiction are final, with no appeals allowed.
• Appeals can be heard by sub-divisional magistrates or district sub-judges.
• The state government or judicial service determines their jurisdiction.

Example: A villager disputes a property boundary with a neighbor. The Nyay Panchayat hears both sides and resolves the issue quickly without costly legal processes, ensuring justice is accessible to all.

Panchayat Samiti (Block Level)

• Operates at the block level, covering multiple villages.
• Includes Sarpanchs of all Panchayats in the block, state MLAs, MPs, Block Development Officers, and Cooperative Society representatives (in some states).
• Has a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and Secretary.

Functions

• Supervises and coordinates Gram Panchayat activities.
• Provides secondary and higher education for a group of villages.
• Builds hospitals and provides health facilities.
• Promotes agriculture through irrigation projects, seeds, and fertilizers.
• Approves building plans and constructs roads and bridges.
• Ensures safe drinking water supply.
• Acts as a link between Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad.

Zilla Parishad (District Level)

• The top tier of the Panchayati Raj system, operating at the district level.
• Has 40 to 60 members, including the Deputy Commissioner, Panchayat Samiti Presidents, heads of government departments, state MLAs, MPs, women, and Scheduled Castes/Tribes representatives.
• A Chairperson presides over meetings, supported by a Deputy Chairperson and a government-employed Secretary.

Functions

• Oversees district developmental work.
• Manages policies through Standing Committees.
• Supervises Panchayat operations.
• In states like Assam and Bihar, reviews Panchayat Samiti budget estimates.
• Coordinates Panchayat Samiti activities in irrigation, schools, village industries, sanitation, and public health.
• Advises the state government on Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti matters.

Contribution of the Panchayati Raj

• Brings government closer to the people.
• Ensures coordination between government programs and voluntary agencies.
• District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) work closely with Zilla Parishads.
• Higher bodies release funds for Gram Panchayats under the Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY).
• Gram Panchayats implement the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, providing 100 days of work to rural households.