Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 11

Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas

Question 1. What is the Panchayati Raj system, and why is it important?

Answer: The Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier system of local self-government in rural areas, comprising Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. It is important because it brings governance closer to the people, allowing them to actively participate in decision-making processes and promoting development at the grassroots level.

Question 2. What are the three levels of the Panchayati Raj system?

Answer: The three levels of the Panchayati Raj system are:

• Gram Panchayat: At the village level.
• Panchayat Samiti: At the block level.
• Zila Parishad: At the district level.

Question 3. Who is a Sarpanch, and how is he/she elected?

Answer: A Sarpanch is the head or president of the Gram Panchayat. He or she is elected by the members of the Gram Sabha, which consists of all the adult villagers who are enrolled as voters. The Sarpanch plays a crucial role in leading the Gram Panchayat and addressing local issues.

Question 4. What are the main functions of a Gram Panchayat?

Answer: The Gram Panchayat is responsible for several functions, including:

• Maintaining village roads and public infrastructure.
• Managing water resources for irrigation.
• Overseeing local schools and healthcare.
• Resolving local disputes.
• Implementing government schemes such as the Midday Meal Scheme and rural development programs.

Question 5. What is a Gram Sabha, and why is it significant?

Answer: The Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all adult residents of a village or group of villages who are registered voters. It is significant because it allows direct participation of people in the decision-making process. In the Gram Sabha, members discuss and decide on local issues, such as public amenities, water resources, and school management.

Question 6. What are the roles of the Panchayat Secretary and Patwari in the Panchayati Raj system?

Answer:

• Panchayat Secretary: Assists the Gram Panchayat in administrative tasks, such as organizing meetings and maintaining records.
• Patwari: Maintains land records for the villagers. The Patwari also keeps old maps, which can provide information about land use in the past.

Question 7. What is the importance of the Child-Friendly Panchayat initiative?

Answer: The Child-Friendly Panchayat initiative aims to involve children in governance by allowing them to express their views and concerns. This initiative promotes child rights, encourages children to participate in Bal Sabhas, and addresses issues such as child labor and education. In some states, children have successfully advocated for eliminating child marriage and bringing children back to school.

Question 8. What is the role of the Zila Parishad in the Panchayati Raj system?

Answer: The Zila Parishad is the district-level institution in the Panchayati Raj system. It acts as a link between the Panchayat Samitis (block level) and the state government. Its main functions include coordinating development activities across the district, managing funds for rural development projects, and ensuring the implementation of government schemes such as road construction under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Question 9. What is the significance of women’s participation in the Panchayati Raj system?

Answer: The Panchayati Raj system reserves one-third of its seats for women, encouraging their participation in local governance. This is important because it empowers women to take leadership roles, address issues affecting their communities, and ensure that their voices are heard in decision-making processes. Examples like Vandana Bahadur Maida show how women can bring about positive changes in their villages.

Question 10. How does the Panchayati Raj system promote self-governance?

Answer: The Panchayati Raj system promotes self-governance by giving local people, especially those in rural areas, the authority to manage their own affairs. Through the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad, villagers can directly participate in planning and executing development projects, resolving disputes, and implementing government schemes.

Question 11. How does the Panchayat Samiti function, and what is its role?

Answer: The Panchayat Samiti operates at the block level and serves as a link between the Gram Panchayat (village level) and Zila Parishad (district level). It coordinates developmental projects across Gram Panchayats, collects development plans from all Gram Panchayats, and ensures that these plans are presented at the district or state levels for fund allocation. It plays a critical role in rural development and the implementation of government schemes.

Question 12. What challenges do Gram Panchayats face in governance?

Answer: Gram Panchayats face several challenges, including:

• Limited financial resources to carry out development projects.
• Difficulty in accessing government funds due to bureaucratic processes.
• Lack of awareness and participation from villagers in Gram Sabha meetings.
• Social and cultural barriers, such as caste and gender discrimination, that can hinder effective decision-making.
  Corruption or mismanagement at the local level.

Question 13. Why are Panchayati Raj institutions considered vital for rural development?

Answer: Panchayati Raj institutions are vital for rural development because they bring decision-making closer to the people, ensuring that local needs and issues are addressed efficiently. These institutions play a key role in improving public infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social welfare in rural areas. By promoting self-governance, they empower villagers to actively participate in their own development.

Question 14. How has the Panchayati Raj system empowered women in rural areas?

Answer: The Panchayati Raj system has empowered women by reserving one-third of the seats for them in Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads. This has encouraged women to take leadership roles and address important issues such as education, sanitation, and healthcare. As a result, many women, like Vandana Bahadur Maida, have made significant contributions to their villages, helping to challenge patriarchal norms and promote gender equality.

Question 15. What is the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana?

Answer: The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a government scheme aimed at promoting the construction of all-weather roads in rural areas. It is significant because it enhances connectivity, facilitates transportation of goods and services, and improves access to schools, hospitals, and markets for rural communities. The Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads play a role in coordinating the implementation of this scheme at the local level.

Question 16. How are disadvantaged sections of society represented in Panchayati Raj institutions?

Answer: Panchayati Raj institutions ensure representation of disadvantaged sections, such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women, by reserving seats for them at all levels. This ensures that their needs and problems are addressed in the decision-making process. These reservations also encourage participation from marginalized communities and help to promote inclusive development.

Question 17. What are some of the initiatives taken to make Panchayats child-friendly?

Answer: Several states have introduced initiatives to make Panchayats child-friendly by encouraging children to participate in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats. These initiatives provide children with a platform to express their opinions on issues such as child labor, education, and child marriage. In Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats have successfully worked to eliminate child labor and child marriage and have helped bring children back to school.

Question 18. How did Hiware Bazar village become an example of successful rural development?

Answer: Hiware Bazar village in Maharashtra became a model of successful rural development under the leadership of Sarpanch Popatrao Baguji Pawar. He implemented rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation, and massive tree planting to recharge groundwater. These efforts, combined with the active participation of villagers, transformed Hiware Bazar into a prosperous village, making it a green and thriving community. Shri Popatrao Pawar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 for his contributions.

Question 19. What is the role of the Patwari in the Panchayati Raj system?

Answer: The Patwari is an officer who assists the Gram Panchayat by maintaining land records for the villagers. In many parts of India, the Patwari is responsible for updating and preserving maps that may be generations old. These land records and maps help in resolving disputes related to land and are important for local governance and planning.

Question 20. How does the Panchayati Raj system promote democracy at the grassroots level?

Answer: The Panchayati Raj system promotes democracy at the grassroots level by allowing villagers to participate directly in decision-making processes through Gram Sabhas and electing their representatives to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads. This ensures that local governance is more transparent, inclusive, and accountable to the people. It also encourages collective decision-making and fosters a sense of community responsibility.