Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas – Class 6 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

Chapter overview

Rural local government in India is called the Panchayati Raj system. It has three tiers: the gram panchayat at the village level, the panchayat samiti at the block level and the zila parishad at the district level. The gram sabha, made up of all adult voters of the village, is the foundation of the system.

Structure of Panchayati Raj

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to panchayats; 24 April is observed as National Panchayati Raj Day.
• Gram sabha: all persons aged 18 and above whose names are on the village voters' list; it meets to discuss plans and review the panchayat's work.
• Gram panchayat: elected ward members (panch) and a head called the sarpanch or pradhan; a panchayat secretary keeps records.
• Panchayat samiti works at the block level and zila parishad at the district level, linking villages with higher levels.

Functions of the gram panchayat

• Building and maintaining village roads, drains, wells, ponds and street lights.
• Keeping records of births and deaths, and implementing government schemes for health, education and employment.
• Raising funds through local taxes such as on houses and markets, and receiving grants from the government.

Participation and good examples

• One-third of seats in panchayats are reserved for women, and many states reserve half; seats are also reserved for SC and ST.
• Child-friendly panchayats involve children's views on schools, safety and play spaces.
• Active sarpanches have improved water supply, sanitation and schools by involving villagers.

Key terms

Panchayati Raj

the system of rural local self-government in India

Gram sabha

the assembly of all adult voters of a village

Sarpanch

the elected head of a gram panchayat

Zila parishad

the district-level body of the Panchayati Raj system

Important questions with answers

Quick revision

• Three tiers: village, block, district.
• Gram sabha = all adult voters of the village.
• 73rd Amendment 1992; Panchayati Raj Day 24 April.
• One-third seats for women at least.

Exam tips

• Draw the three tiers as a pyramid: gram panchayat at the bottom, panchayat samiti in the middle, zila parishad at the top.
• Do not confuse the gram sabha (all voters) with the gram panchayat (elected body).

Practice MCQs

1. The head of a gram panchayat is called the

   1. sarpanch
   2. mayor
   3. collector
   4. governor
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) sarpanch. He or she is elected by the villagers.

2. The gram sabha consists of

   1. only elected members
   2. all adult voters of the village
   3. only government officers
   4. children of the village
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) all adult voters of the village. Everyone aged 18 and above on the voters' list.

3. The district-level body of Panchayati Raj is the

   1. gram panchayat
   2. zila parishad
   3. panchayat samiti
   4. municipal corporation
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) zila parishad. It works at the top tier.

4. The Panchayati Raj system got constitutional status through the

   1. 42nd Amendment
   2. 73rd Amendment
   3. 74th Amendment
   4. 86th Amendment
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) 73rd Amendment. It was passed in 1992.

5. Which body works at the block level

   1. panchayat samiti
   2. gram sabha
   3. zila parishad
   4. ward committee
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) panchayat samiti. It links villages with the district.

6. National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on

   1. 26 January
   2. 15 August
   3. 2 October
   4. 24 April
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) 24 April. The 73rd Amendment came into force in April 1993.

7. At least what share of seats in panchayats is reserved for women

   1. one-fourth
   2. one-tenth
   3. one-third
   4. none
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) one-third. Many states have raised it to half.

8. Why is the gram sabha important

   1. it collects taxes for the union
   2. it runs the army
   3. it appoints judges
   4. villagers can directly discuss plans and check the panchayat's work
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) villagers can directly discuss plans and check the panchayat's work. It makes the panchayat accountable to the people.