Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance Solutions
05/11/2024Chapter 12 Grassroots Democracy — Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas Solutions
05/11/2024Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas Text Book Solutions
The Big Questions (Page 163)
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.
Back Exercises (Page 171)
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. Gram Panchayat (Village Level):
- Key Functions: Local administration, maintenance of village infrastructure, implementation of development programs, addressing local disputes.
Panchayat Samiti (Block Level):
- Key Functions: Coordination of development plans from Gram Panchayats, implementation of schemes at the block level, providing technical and administrative support to Gram Panchayats.
Zila Parishad (District Level):
- Key Functions: Overseeing and coordinating the activities of Panchayat Samitis, planning and implementation of district-wide development projects, ensuring the proper use of funds allocated for rural development.
Q2: Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village.
[These questions need to be attempted by students themselves; here we have provided a sample answer.]
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?
[These questions need to be attempted by students themselves; here we have provided a sample answer.]
Ans: To solve the issue of safely crossing the highway, the following options can be considered:
Requesting the construction of a pedestrian crossing or footbridge.
Installing traffic signals or speed bumps near the school.
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.