NCERT Answers

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?

Answer (150 words):
The Panchayati Raj system works at three tiers:

1. Gram Panchayat (Village level):
   • Headed by a Sarpanch/Pradhan.
   • Directly elected by the Gram Sabha (all adult villagers).
   • Manages local needs like drinking water, sanitation, primary schools, and resolving small disputes.
2. Panchayat Samiti (Block level):
   • Coordinates the work of many Gram Panchayats.
   • Prepares development plans, manages government schemes (like rural roads, health centres).
   • Acts as a link between Gram Panchayats and Zila Parishad.
3. Zila Parishad (District level):
   • Oversees planning and development of the entire district.
   • Allocates funds and resources for big projects like hospitals, irrigation, and district schools.

Together, they ensure self-governance and bring democracy closer to rural people.

Q2. Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village.

Answer (Model Letter):

To,
The Sarpanch,
[Village Name]

Respected Sir/Madam,

I would like to bring to your attention the problem of plastic bags lying on the roadside in our village. These bags are polluting our environment, blocking drains, and harming animals who eat them. I request you to take steps to ban the use of plastic bags, install dustbins, and organise cleanliness drives. Please encourage villagers to use cloth or jute bags instead.

Your action will help keep our village clean and healthy.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Class VI Student

Q3. In your view, what type of person should be a Gram Panchayat member?

Answer (80–100 words):
A Gram Panchayat member should be honest, responsible, and willing to serve the people. They must listen to everyone’s problems, especially women, children, and disadvantaged groups. The member should have leadership qualities, respect for all communities, and the ability to solve disputes fairly. Education and awareness of government schemes are also important, so that they can guide the villagers. Most importantly, the member should work selflessly for development without corruption.

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?

Answer (120–150 words):
To solve this issue, some options are:

• Building a speed breaker and zebra crossing near the school.
• Requesting traffic police to be present during school hours.
• Constructing an overbridge or underground crossing if possible.

Institutions that can help:

• Gram Panchayat: Can raise the issue in Gram Sabha meetings and request funds.
• Panchayat Samiti: Can coordinate with the Public Works Department to build road safety measures.
• Zila Parishad: Can allocate funds and approve larger projects like footbridges.

What students can do:

• Write a letter to the Sarpanch.
• Spread awareness about road safety in the village.
• Request parents and villagers to support the demand.

This way, the Panchayati Raj institutions and community can work together to ensure children’s safety.

Extra Questions – Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy – Part 2

Very Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the head of a Gram Panchayat?
   Answer: Sarpanch or Pradhan.
2. What is the Gram Sabha?
   Answer: The assembly of all adult villagers who are registered voters.
3. Who maintains land records in villages?
   Answer: The Patwari.
4. What is the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj?
   Answer: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), Zila Parishad (district).
5. What proportion of Panchayat seats are reserved for women?
   Answer: One-third.

Short Answer Questions

Q6. Why are Panchayati Raj institutions important in democracy?
Answer: They allow people to participate directly in decision-making, manage local issues effectively, and bring governance closer to rural communities.

Q7. What is the role of a Panchayat Samiti?
Answer: It coordinates Gram Panchayat plans, implements schemes, and acts as a link between villages and the district.

Long Answer Questions

Q8. Explain with examples how Panchayati Raj has empowered disadvantaged sections of society.
Answer (120–150 words):
Panchayati Raj institutions reserve seats for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. This gives disadvantaged groups a voice in governance. For example, Vandana Bahadur Maida from Madhya Pradesh became the first female Sarpanch of her village and worked for education and sanitation. In Maharashtra, transgender Sarpanch Dnyaneshwar Kamble promoted social harmony. Hiware Bazar transformed into a model village under Popatrao Pawar through rainwater harvesting. These examples show that Panchayati Raj enables marginalised people to participate in decision-making, improve village life, and contribute to democracy at the grassroots.