Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 8 (Local governments) – India Constitution Work Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of a crucial aspect of our democratic framework – Local Governments. This chapter is vital not just for your exams but also for understanding how democracy functions at the grassroots level in India. Pay close attention as we break down the key elements.

Chapter 8: Local Governments - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. What is Local Government?

• Local Government refers to government at the village and district level.
• It's about managing local affairs by locally elected representatives.
• Significance:
  • Strengthens democracy by ensuring participation at the lowest level.
  • Allows for efficient management of local needs and resources.
  • Provides a platform for political education and leadership development for citizens.
  • Ensures governance is closer and more accessible to the people.

2. Growth of Local Government in India

• Ancient India: Village assemblies ('Sabhas', 'Ur') existed, exercising local autonomy.
• British Rule:
  • Lord Ripon's Resolution (1882) is considered the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government in India. He aimed to establish elected local bodies.
  • Government of India Acts (1919, 1935) introduced provincial autonomy, strengthening village panchayats, but they remained largely under government control.
• Post-Independence:
  • Constituent Assembly Debates: Local government (Panchayats) found a place in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 40), urging the State to organise village panchayats and endow them with powers to function as units of self-government. However, it wasn't initially given constitutional status, making it non-justiciable.
  • Community Development Programme (1952): An early attempt at involving people in local development, but largely government-driven.
  • Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Studied the CDP and recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system based on 'democratic decentralisation'. This became the blueprint for Panchayati Raj in many states (First adopted by Rajasthan in Nagaur district, 1959).
  • Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Recommended a two-tier system and measures to revitalise Panchayati Raj, suggesting constitutional recognition.
  • GVK Rao Committee (1985) & LM Singhvi Committee (1986): Both strongly recommended providing Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions to ensure regular elections, resources, and functions.

3. Constitutionalisation: The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992)

These amendments gave constitutional status and protection to rural and urban local bodies, respectively. They added two new parts and two new schedules to the Constitution.

A. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (Panchayati Raj Institutions - PRIs)

• Part IX: Added to the Constitution ("The Panchayats").
• Eleventh Schedule: Added, listing 29 subjects on which Panchayats can have powers and responsibilities (e.g., agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health, women and child development, PDS).
• Key Provisions:
  • Three-Tier Structure: Mandates a uniform three-tier structure of Panchayats at the village (Gram Panchayat), intermediate/block (Panchayat Samiti/Mandal Parishad), and district (Zila Parishad) levels. (States with population less than 20 lakhs may opt out of the intermediate level).
  • Gram Sabha: Foundation of the Panchayati Raj system. It's a body consisting of all persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the Panchayat area. Performs functions assigned by the State Legislature.
  • Elections: Direct elections for all seats at all levels. Indirect elections for the post of Chairperson at the intermediate and district levels. Chairperson of Village Panchayat elected as determined by the State Legislature.
  • Reservations:
    • Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population at all three levels.
    • Not less than one-third of the total seats reserved for women (including seats reserved for SC/ST women).
    • Reservation for the post of Chairperson for SCs/STs and women as per State Legislature provisions.
  • Duration: Uniform five-year term for all levels. Elections must be held before the expiry of the term or within six months of dissolution.
  • Disqualifications: Determined by State Legislature law, but no person disqualified if less than 21 years of age (minimum age to contest is 21).
  • State Election Commission (SEC): An independent body created in each state for superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of all elections to the Panchayats.
  • State Finance Commission (SFC): Constituted by the Governor every five years to review the financial position of the Panchayats and recommend principles for distribution of taxes between State and Panchayats, grants-in-aid, etc.
  • Powers and Functions: State Legislatures to endow Panchayats with powers and authority necessary to function as institutions of self-government, including preparing plans for economic development and social justice and implementing schemes related to the 29 subjects in the 11th Schedule.
  • PESA Act, 1996 (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas): Extends Part IX provisions to Fifth Schedule areas with certain modifications to protect tribal rights and customs, giving significant powers to the Gram Sabha.

B. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (Urban Local Bodies - ULBs)

• Part IX-A: Added to the Constitution ("The Municipalities").
• Twelfth Schedule: Added, listing 18 subjects on which Municipalities can have powers and responsibilities (e.g., urban planning, regulation of land use, roads and bridges, water supply, public health, sanitation, fire services, urban forestry, slum improvement, urban poverty alleviation, public amenities like street lighting, parking lots, regulation of slaughterhouses).
• Key Provisions:
  • Three Types of Municipalities:
    • Nagar Panchayat: For transitional areas (from rural to urban).
    • Municipal Council: For smaller urban areas.
    • Municipal Corporation: For larger urban areas.
  • Composition: All seats filled by direct election from territorial constituencies (Wards). State Legislature may provide for representation of persons with special knowledge/experience, MPs/MLAs, Chairpersons of Ward Committees.
  • Wards Committees: Mandatory for municipalities with a population of 3 lakhs or more.
  • Reservations: Similar to Panchayats - for SCs/STs in proportion to population, and not less than one-third for women.
  • Duration: Uniform five-year term. Elections before expiry or within six months of dissolution.
  • Disqualifications: As per State Legislature law (minimum age 21).
  • State Election Commission (SEC): Conducts elections to Municipalities as well.
  • State Finance Commission (SFC): Also reviews the financial position of Municipalities and makes recommendations.
  • Powers and Functions: State Legislatures to endow Municipalities with powers to function as institutions of self-government, including preparing plans for economic development and social justice and implementing schemes related to the 18 subjects in the 12th Schedule.
  • District Planning Committee (DPC): Mandated at the district level to consolidate plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities in the district and draft a development plan for the district as a whole. (At least 4/5th members elected by elected members of district panchayat and municipalities).
  • Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC): Mandated for metropolitan areas (population 10 lakhs+) to prepare a draft development plan for the Metropolitan area as a whole. (At least 2/3rd members elected by elected members of municipalities and chairpersons of panchayats in the area).

4. Functions of Local Governments

• Rural (Panchayats): Focus on agriculture, rural development, infrastructure (roads, drinking water), health, education, sanitation, poverty alleviation, implementing government schemes.
• Urban (Municipalities): Focus on urban planning, public health, sanitation, water supply, waste management, infrastructure (roads, street lighting, parks), slum improvement, regulating construction.

5. Challenges Faced by Local Governments

• Lack of adequate Funds (Finances): Heavy dependence on state and central government grants; limited powers to raise own revenue. SFC recommendations often not fully implemented.
• Lack of clear demarcation of Functions: Overlapping jurisdictions and ambiguity in the devolution of powers and subjects listed in the 11th/12th Schedules.
• Lack of Functionaries: Shortage of trained staff and capacity issues hinder effective implementation of schemes and plans.
• Political Interference: State governments sometimes exercise excessive control, delaying elections or superseding local bodies arbitrarily.
• Limited Autonomy: True functional and financial autonomy is often lacking.
• Low Awareness & Participation: Sometimes citizen participation, especially in Gram Sabhas, remains low.

6. Conclusion

The 73rd and 74th Amendments were landmark steps towards deepening democracy in India. While challenges remain, local governments are indispensable institutions for responsive, accountable, and participatory governance at the grassroots level. Strengthening them is crucial for achieving inclusive development and social justice.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy mentioned the organisation of Village Panchayats?
   a) Article 38
   b) Article 40
   c) Article 44
   d) Article 51

2. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) is most famously associated with recommending:
   a) A two-tier Panchayati Raj system
   b) Constitutional status for Panchayats
   c) Democratic decentralisation through a three-tier structure
   d) The creation of Municipal Corporations

3. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act added which Part and Schedule to the Indian Constitution?
   a) Part IX and Tenth Schedule
   b) Part IX-A and Eleventh Schedule
   c) Part IX and Eleventh Schedule
   d) Part X and Twelfth Schedule

4. What is the minimum percentage of seats reserved for women at all levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions?
   a) 25%
   b) 30%
   c) One-third (33.3%)
   d) 50%

5. Which body is responsible for conducting elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in a state?
   a) Election Commission of India
   b) State Government
   c) State Election Commission
   d) District Collector

6. The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution lists how many functional items for Panchayats?
   a) 18
   b) 29
   c) 47
   d) 97

7. Which of the following is NOT typically a type of Urban Local Body established under the 74th Amendment?
   a) Nagar Panchayat
   b) Municipal Council
   c) Zila Parishad
   d) Municipal Corporation

8. The State Finance Commission is constituted every five years by the Governor primarily to review the financial position of:
   a) Only Panchayats
   b) Only Municipalities
   c) Both Panchayats and Municipalities
   d) State Government Departments

9. The PESA Act, 1996, extends the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution to which areas?
   a) Union Territories
   b) Metropolitan Areas
   c) Fifth Schedule Areas (Scheduled Areas)
   d) North-Eastern States only

10. What is the minimum age required to contest elections for Panchayats or Municipalities?
    a) 18 years
    b) 21 years
    c) 25 years
    d) 30 years

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b) Article 40
2. c) Democratic decentralisation through a three-tier structure
3. c) Part IX and Eleventh Schedule
4. c) One-third (33.3%)
5. c) State Election Commission
6. b) 29
7. c) Zila Parishad (It's part of the rural PRI structure)
8. c) Both Panchayats and Municipalities
9. c) Fifth Schedule Areas (Scheduled Areas)
10. b) 21 years

Remember to thoroughly revise these points, especially the provisions of the 73rd and 74th Amendments, the key committees, and the challenges faced. Understanding local governance is key to understanding Indian democracy in action. Good luck with your preparation!