Class 6 ncert Chapter 11 Social Science Solution - Grassroot Democracy Part 2

Chapter 11 : Grassroots Democracy — Part 2 : Local Government in Rural Areas

Question: What is the Panchayati Raj system and what is its importance?

Answer: The system of local governance functioning at the village level is called the Panchayati Raj system. In this system, people elect their representatives to solve village-level problems.

Importance:

• Solving rural problems at the local level.
• Delivering government schemes to the people.
• Making people active participants in the democratic process.

Question: How many levels are there in the Panchayati Raj system?

Answer: The Panchayati Raj system has three levels—

1. Village level – Gram Panchayat (lowest level)
2. Block level – Panchayat Samiti
3. District level – Zila Parishad (highest level)

Question: What is a Gram Sabha?

Answer: The group of all adult people (above 18 years of age) of a village is called the Gram Sabha. The Gram Sabha examines the work of the Panchayat and takes decisions.

Question: What is a Gram Panchayat?

Answer: The Gram Panchayat is a council elected by the Gram Sabha. The head of the Gram Panchayat is called the Sarpanch or Pradhan. The Gram Panchayat looks after facilities like roads, water supply, and cleanliness in the village.

Question: What is the role of the Panchayat Secretary?

Answer: The Panchayat Secretary handles administrative work, such as—

• Organising meetings
• Maintaining records
• Preparing details of government schemes

Question: Who is a Patwari and what is his work?

Answer: A Patwari maintains land records of the village. He keeps records of which land belongs to whom.

Question: What does the Panchayat Samiti do?

Answer: The Panchayat Samiti (block level) collects plans from several Gram Panchayats and forwards them to the district level. It helps in implementing development schemes.

Question: What is the main function of the Zila Parishad?

Answer: The Zila Parishad plans development work for the entire district. It improves facilities such as education, health, roads, and water supply.

Question: What provisions exist for women and disadvantaged sections in Panchayati Raj?

Answer:

• One-third of the seats in Panchayats are reserved for women.
• Seats are also reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• The objective of these provisions is to provide representation to all sections of society.

Question: What is a Bal Sansad and what is its importance?

Answer: Bal Sansad is an educational initiative in which children aged 8–14 learn democratic processes. They contest elections, form a cabinet, and work on community issues.

Importance: It develops leadership skills, social awareness, and democratic values among children.

Question: What is a child-friendly Panchayat?

Answer: A Panchayat that also focuses on children’s needs and rights, such as—

• Building school boundary walls
• Providing clean mid-day meals
• Working against child labour and child marriage

Question: How do Panchayats help in rural development?

Answer: Panchayats help in—

• Water conservation
• Road construction
• Cleanliness
• School arrangements
• Delivering benefits of government schemes

Question: What did Kautilya say about governance in ancient times?

Answer: Kautilya (Chanakya) proposed a complete administrative structure from villages to provincial capitals in the Arthashastra:

• 10 villages → Sangrahana (sub-district)
• 100 villages → Karvatika (district)
• 400 villages → Dronamukha
• 800 villages → Local (provincial)

This proves that the concept of local self-government existed in India since ancient times.

Question: How do children participate in Panchayat meetings?

Answer: In many states, Bal Panchayats and Bal Sabhas are organised, where children present their problems and suggestions.

NCERT Practice Questions:

Question 1: Name the three levels of the Panchayati Raj system and write their main functions.

Answer:

1. Gram Panchayat – Cleanliness, roads, water, lighting, and school maintenance.
2. Panchayat Samiti – Collecting and implementing plans of several Gram Panchayats.
3. Zila Parishad – Planning development work for the entire district.

Question 2: Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding plastic bags lying along the village road.

Answer:


To,
The Honorable Sarpanch
Gram Panchayat __________
Village __________


Subject: Regarding plastic bags lying along the village road.

Respected Sir/Madam,
I humbly submit that I am a responsible resident/student of your village. I would like to draw your attention to the plastic bags lying along the main village road.

Plastic bags thrown along the roadside are causing dirt and clogging drains. Mosquitoes and insects are breeding, increasing the risk of diseases. This is also spoiling the beauty of our village.

Therefore, I kindly request you to take appropriate steps to solve this problem. A cleanliness drive should be organised, separate bins for plastic waste should be arranged, and people should be made aware to reduce the use of plastic.

I hope you will give prompt attention to this issue and help in keeping our village clean.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,
(Name)
Class __________
Village __________
Date __________

Question 3: What kind of person can become a member of the Gram Panchayat?

Answer:

• Honest
• Educated and aware of village problems
• Helpful to people
• Capable of making decisions
• Non-discriminatory

Question 4: Suppose you study in a village school located on a highway and students face difficulty crossing the road. What solutions are possible? Which Panchayat institutions can help? What can students do?

Answer:

Possible solutions:

• Construction of zebra crossings
• Installing speed breakers
• Traffic signals or school zone boards
• Construction of a foot over bridge

Panchayat institutions:

• Gram Panchayat: For planning at the local level
• Panchayat Samiti: To help obtain funds and permission from the state government or district administration

Role of students:

• Raising the issue in Gram Sabha meetings
• Running awareness campaigns
• Writing letters to the Sarpanch or Panchayat members
• Being cautious while crossing the road and advising others