Class 6 Social Studies Notes Chapter 5 (Panchayati Raj) – Social and Political Lifea Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 5, 'Panchayati Raj'. This is a fundamental concept for understanding governance at the grassroots level in India and is quite important for your exams. Pay close attention as we break it down.

Chapter 5: Panchayati Raj - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. What is Panchayati Raj?

• It is a system of local self-government for villages in rural India.
• It aims to build democracy at the grass-root level, involving people directly in their own governance.
• It was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

2. The Gram Sabha: Foundation of Panchayati Raj

• Definition: The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat. This area could be one village or a few villages.
• Membership: Anyone who is 18 years old or more and whose name is included in the voter's list (electoral roll) of the village(s) covered by the Panchayat is a member of the Gram Sabha.
• Key Roles & Functions:
  • It is the primary body of the Panchayati Raj system; it's where direct democracy is practiced.
  • Elects the members of the Gram Panchayat.
  • Holds the Gram Panchayat accountable; acts as a watchdog.
  • Discusses and approves the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat.
  • Reviews the performance of the Gram Panchayat.
  • Identifies beneficiaries for various government schemes.
  • Approves the plans for development projects proposed by the Gram Panchayat.
• Importance: The Gram Sabha ensures transparency, accountability, and people's participation in local governance. Its meetings are crucial for the effective functioning of the Gram Panchayat.

3. The Gram Panchayat: The Executive Body

• Definition: The Gram Panchayat is the elected council for a village or a group of villages. It is the executive body responsible for local governance.
• Formation & Term:
  • Elected by the members of the Gram Sabha.
  • The term of office is typically five years.
• Structure:
  • Panchayat President (Sarpanch or Pradhan): Head of the Gram Panchayat. Elected directly or indirectly depending on state laws.
  • Ward Members (Panchs): The village is divided into smaller areas called 'wards'. Each ward elects a representative called the Ward Member or Panch.
  • Reservation: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs - depending on state legislation), and at least one-third of the total seats are reserved for women.
• Panchayat Secretary (Gram Sachiv):
  • Appointment: Appointed by the government, not elected.
  • Role: Responsible for calling meetings of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, keeping records of the proceedings, maintaining accounts, and assisting the Panchayat in its administrative functions. The Secretary acts as a link between the village Panchayat and the government administration.
• Functions of the Gram Panchayat:
  • Developmental Functions:
    • Construction and maintenance of village infrastructure: water sources (wells, handpumps, tanks), roads, drainage, school buildings, community halls, etc.
    • Implementation of government schemes related to agriculture, poverty alleviation, employment generation (like MGNREGA).
    • Planting trees, maintaining public parks and playgrounds.
  • Administrative Functions:
    • Levying and collecting local taxes (e.g., on houses, markets, fairs).
    • Maintaining records of births and deaths in the village.
    • Maintaining sanitation and public health.
  • Supervisory Functions: Overseeing the implementation of schemes and ensuring proper utilization of funds.

4. Sources of Funds for the Gram Panchayat

• Collection of local taxes (on houses, marketplaces, etc.).
• Grants and funds received from the government through various schemes, distributed via the Janpad (Block) and Zila (District) Panchayats.
• Donations received for community works.
• Fees collected for specific services.

5. Three Levels of Panchayati Raj

The Panchayati Raj system in India generally operates at three levels:

• a) Gram Panchayat (Village Level): Deals with the day-to-day issues and development of the village(s). We have discussed this in detail above.
• b) Panchayat Samiti (Block Level / Janpad Panchayat / Mandal Parishad):
  • This is the intermediate level, covering a block (group of villages/Gram Panchayats).
  • Members are often elected representatives from the Panchayats within the block, along with MLAs, MPs from the area, etc. (composition varies by state).
  • It supervises the work of the Gram Panchayats under it.
  • It coordinates development plans for the block.
• c) Zila Parishad (District Level / District Panchayat):
  • This is the apex body at the district level.
  • Members include Presidents of Panchayat Samitis, MLAs, MPs from the district, etc. (composition varies by state).
  • It prepares overall development plans for the entire district.
  • It oversees the functioning of Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats.
  • It allocates government funds among the Gram Panchayats (often routed through Panchayat Samitis).

6. Significance of Panchayati Raj

• Deepens democracy by taking governance to the local level.
• Ensures development based on local needs and priorities.
• Promotes participation of citizens, especially women and marginalized groups (due to reservation), in decision-making.
• Acts as a training ground for political leadership.
• Increases accountability of elected representatives to the community.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Here are 10 MCQs based on the chapter for your practice:

1. Who are the members of the Gram Sabha?
   a) All residents of the village
   b) Only the elected members of the Panchayat
   c) All adult voters listed in the electoral roll of the Panchayat area
   d) Only the Sarpanch and Panchs

2. What is the main function of the Gram Sabha?
   a) To construct village roads
   b) To supervise the work of the Gram Panchayat and approve its budget
   c) To collect taxes from houses
   d) To appoint the Panchayat Secretary

3. Who is the head of the Gram Panchayat?
   a) Panchayat Secretary
   b) Block Development Officer (BDO)
   c) Sarpanch (Panchayat President)
   d) Zila Parishad Chairperson

4. How are the Panchs (Ward Members) of a Gram Panchayat chosen?
   a) Appointed by the Sarpanch
   b) Nominated by the District Collector
   c) Elected by the members of the Gram Sabha from respective wards
   d) Appointed by the state government

5. What is the typical term of office for a Gram Panchayat?
   a) 3 years
   b) 4 years
   c) 5 years
   d) 6 years

6. Which of the following is a key source of funds for the Gram Panchayat?
   a) Income tax collected from villagers
   b) Funds for government schemes received through Janpad and Zila Panchayats
   c) Loans from international banks
   d) Sale of agricultural produce grown by the Panchayat

7. Who is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha and keeping records of the proceedings?
   a) Sarpanch
   b) A senior Panch
   c) Panchayat Secretary (Gram Sachiv)
   d) A member elected by the Gram Sabha for this purpose

8. Which is the intermediate level in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
   a) Gram Sabha
   b) Gram Panchayat
   c) Zila Parishad
   d) Panchayat Samiti (Block Panchayat/Janpad Panchayat)

9. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, is significant because it:
   a) Introduced the right to vote for women
   b) Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions
   c) Created the Zila Parishad
   d) Abolished the Gram Sabha

10. What percentage of seats are reserved for women in Panchayati Raj institutions?
    a) 10%
    b) 25%
    c) At least one-third (33.3%)
    d) 50%

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c
2. b
3. c
4. c
5. c
6. b
7. c
8. d
9. b
10. c

Revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the structure, functions, and interrelations between the Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayat, and the higher tiers is crucial. Good luck with your preparation!