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Tag: Grassroots Democracy

  • Chapter-12-Grassroots Democracy — Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas, Class 6th, Social Science, NCERT

    NCERT Answers

    Q1. On your way to school, you and your friends notice that a water pipe is leaking. A lot of water is being wasted on account of the leak. What would you and your friends do in such a situation?

    Answer (80–100 words):
    We would immediately inform the local municipal ward office or water department about the leakage. If there is a helpline or complaint app, we would register the issue there. Meanwhile, we would also spread awareness among residents not to waste water. If possible, we would place a temporary container under the leak to reduce wastage until it is repaired. Responsible citizens must act quickly, because water is precious, and small problems can become big if ignored.

    Q2. Invite a member of an urban local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.

    Answer (Model – Questions List):

    1. What are the main duties of a municipal councillor?
    2. How does the corporation/municipality collect funds for its activities?
    3. What steps are being taken to keep our city clean?
    4. How do you solve complaints like garbage collection or road repair?
    5. What role do citizens play in helping the municipality?
    6. How do you ensure the safety and welfare of children and senior citizens?
    7. What future development plans are there for our ward/city?

    Q3. Discuss with adult members of your family and neighbourhood, and make a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies.

    Answer (sample list):

    • Regular garbage collection and cleanliness.
    • Supply of safe drinking water.
    • Repair of damaged roads and street lights.
    • Proper drainage and sewage system.
    • Public parks and playgrounds for children.
    • Affordable healthcare and dispensaries.
    • Safety and security, including traffic management.
    • Quick response to complaints.

    Q4. Make a list of characteristics of a good urban local body.

    Answer:

    • Transparency in decision-making.
    • Quick redressal of public complaints.
    • Regular garbage collection and waste management.
    • Efficient use of funds for development.
    • Proper infrastructure: roads, lights, water, drainage.
    • Active participation of citizens through ward committees.
    • Special care for disadvantaged groups.
    • Honesty and accountability of councillors.

    Q5. What are the similarities and differences between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies?

    Answer (120–150 words):
    Similarities:

    • Both are systems of local self-government.
    • Both have three levels of governance: village/block/district in rural areas, and ward/municipality/corporation in urban areas.
    • In both, representatives are directly elected by the people.
    • Both focus on solving local problems like sanitation, water supply, and infrastructure.

    Differences:

    • Panchayati Raj works in villages, while urban local bodies work in towns and cities.
    • Head of Gram Panchayat is called Sarpanch, while head of a Municipal Corporation is the Mayor.
    • Panchayats focus more on agriculture, irrigation, and rural welfare, while urban bodies focus on city needs like traffic, solid waste management, and housing.

    Together, they ensure democracy works at the grassroots in both rural and urban India.

    Extra Questions – Chapter 12: Grassroots Democracy – Part 3

    Very Short Answer Questions

    1. What are urban local bodies?
      Answer: Local self-government institutions in towns and cities.
    2. Name the oldest municipal corporation in India.
      Answer: The Madras Corporation (now Greater Chennai Corporation), established in 1688.
    3. Which city has been ranked cleanest under Swachh Survekshan for seven years in a row?
      Answer: Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
    4. What is the head of a Municipal Corporation called?
      Answer: The Mayor.
    5. What is the smallest urban local body?
      Answer: Nagar Panchayat.

    Short Answer Questions

    Q6. How do urban local bodies fund their activities?
    Answer: They collect taxes (property tax, water tax, trade licenses), fees for services, fines, and also receive grants from the state and central governments.

    Q7. Give examples of services provided by a Municipal Corporation.
    Answer: Garbage collection, sewage management, street lighting, maintaining parks, issuing birth/marriage certificates, fire services, and healthcare facilities.

    Long Answer Questions

    Q8. Why are urban local bodies important in democracy?
    Answer (150–180 words):
    Urban local bodies bring democracy closer to the people in towns and cities. They provide basic civic services like water, sanitation, roads, garbage collection, and public health. They also manage local development projects and maintain public amenities. By dividing cities into wards, citizens can elect representatives who voice their needs. This ensures that governance is not only top-down but also participatory.

    Urban bodies also raise awareness about social issues like cleanliness, environment, and health. For example, Indore’s success in cleanliness was possible only because both the municipal corporation and citizens cooperated. Moreover, urban local bodies create employment, regulate trade, and provide emergency services like fire and disaster management.

    Thus, they play a crucial role in strengthening democracy at the grassroots and improving the quality of urban life.



  • Chapter-11-Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas,Class 6th, Social Science, NCERT

    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.

  • Chapter-10-Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance, Class 6th, Social Science, NCERT

    NCERT Answers

    Q1. Test yourself — What is the meaning of democracy? What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

    Answer (120–150 words):
    Democracy means “rule of the people.” It is a system of government in which citizens have the right to participate in decision-making. In ancient times, small communities sometimes practised direct democracy, where every citizen voted directly on decisions. An example is when a class votes on where to go for a picnic.

    In modern nations like India, direct democracy is not possible because the population is very large. Instead, we follow representative democracy, where citizens elect leaders to represent them in assemblies. These elected members (MLAs and MPs) discuss laws and policies on behalf of the people. Thus, the main difference is:

    • Direct democracy = people decide directly.
    • Representative democracy = elected representatives decide on behalf of the people.

    Q2. Recall the three organs of government. What are their different roles?

    Answer:

    1. Legislature – Makes laws, updates or removes old ones. In India, this includes Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) at the Centre and State Assemblies.
    2. Executive – Implements laws and ensures administration. At the Centre, it includes the Prime Minister, ministers, and officers; at the State, the Chief Minister and government departments.
    3. Judiciary – Interprets laws, punishes criminals, and ensures justice. It includes the Supreme Court, High Courts, and lower courts.

    These three organs act separately but work together, maintaining balance through a “separation of powers.”

    Q3. Why do we need three tiers of government?

    Answer (100–120 words):
    India is a vast country with many states, districts, and villages. A single central government cannot handle all problems. Therefore, we need three tiers:

    • Local Government – Works at village, town, or city level; solves local issues like sanitation, drinking water, and street lighting.
    • State Government – Manages issues within a state, such as law and order, health, education, and agriculture.
    • Central Government – Handles national issues like defence, foreign affairs, and currency.

    These three levels ensure that decisions are taken closer to the people, problems are solved efficiently, and democracy works at the grassroots.

    Q4. Project: Many of you will remember the lockdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make a list of all the actions that were taken at that time? Which tiers of government were involved in managing the situation? What was the role of each of the organs of government?

    Answer (150–180 words, model):
    During the COVID-19 lockdown, many actions were taken: closing schools, markets, and offices; providing medical facilities; distributing food; arranging vaccination drives; and enforcing safety rules like wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

    • Central Government: Announced national lockdowns, provided guidelines, organised vaccine production, and deployed funds.
    • State Governments: Imposed curfews, managed hospitals, provided oxygen and medicines, and arranged transport for migrants.
    • Local Governments: Distributed food packets, sanitised streets, and ensured help reached people at the grassroots.

    Organs of Government:

    • Legislature: Passed emergency financial measures.
    • Executive: Implemented lockdown rules, vaccination, and relief schemes.
    • Judiciary: Ensured human rights were protected, monitored distribution of oxygen and hospital facilities.

    This shows how all three levels and all three organs of government worked together during the pandemic.

    Extra Questions – Chapter 10: Grassroots Democracy – Part 1

    Very Short Answer Questions

    1. What does the word “democracy” literally mean?
      Answer: Rule of the people.
    2. Which organ of government enforces laws?
      Answer: The Executive.
    3. Which organ checks whether laws are fair?
      Answer: The Judiciary.
    4. Who is the nominal head of India’s government?
      Answer: The President of India.
    5. Who is called the “Missile Man of India”?
      Answer: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

    Short Answer Questions

    Q6. What is meant by the separation of powers?
    Answer: It means that the three organs of government — legislature, executive, and judiciary — must remain independent but work together. This prevents misuse of power and maintains balance in governance.

    Q7. Give one example where government affects your daily life.
    Answer: The government provides electricity and water supply in my area. It makes rules for safety and ensures fair pricing, directly affecting my daily life.

    Long Answer Questions

    Q8. Why is democracy important?
    Answer (120–150 words):
    Democracy is important because it gives people the right to choose their leaders and hold them accountable. It ensures equality, freedom of speech, and justice for all citizens. In a democracy, laws are made through discussion and debate, reflecting the will of the people. It prevents misuse of power by dividing authority among legislature, executive, and judiciary. Democracy also protects cultural diversity and individual dignity, as seen in India’s unity in diversity. Without democracy, citizens may lose their rights and freedom. Thus, democracy is not only a form of government but also a way of life that values participation, responsibility, and respect for all.