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NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 8 Local Governments
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Local Governments
Chapter: 8
| (PART-A) INDIAN CONSTITUTION AT WORK |
| TEXT BOOK QUESTIONS ANSWER |
1. Constitution of India visualised Village Panchayats as units of self-government. Think over the situation described in the following statements and explain how these situations strengthen or weaken the Panchayats in becoming units of local self-government.
(a) Government of a state has allowed a big company to establish a huge steel plant. Many villages would be adversely affected by the steel plant. Gram Sabha of one of the affected villages passed a resolution that before establishing any big industries in the region, village people must be consulted and their grievances should be redressed.
Ans: It is said that many villages would be adversely affected by the steel plant. The Gram Sabha has passed a resolution against it. It implies that the Gram Panchayat was not consulted before the steel plant was decided by the State government. This action of the state government will severely weaken the institution of Panchayat. The Gram Sabha of one of the affected villages passed the resolution that village people must be consulted and their grievances must be redressed. It will strengthen the Panchayats as it can now move to courts for a direction against the unilateral move of the state government.
(b) The Government has decided that 20% of all its expenditure would be done through Then Panchayats.
Ans: The decision of the state government that 20% of all its expenditure would be done through the Panchayats, will surely help the finances of the Panchayats. If the state government does not interfere in the decisions and the priorities of the Panchayats, this will strengthen the Panchayat. At the same time the financial dependence of the local bodies on the state government will impinge on their capacity to operate effectively. The Panchayats need independent sources of revenue.
(c) A Village Panchayat kept on demanding funds for a building for village school, the government officials turned down their proposal saying that funds are allocated for certain other schemes and cannot be spent otherwise.
Ans: The basic idea for the creation of Panchayati Raj institutions is that the people themselves prioritize their development agenda. The turning down of the demand for funds for building a village school by government officials saying that the funds are allotted for certain other schemes, will surely weaken the Panchayats in becoming units of self-government.
(d) The government divided the village Dungarpur into two and made a part of the villages Jamuna and Sohana. Now village Dungarpur has ceased to exist in Government’s books.
Ans: There is no mention here, whether the government has divided the village Dungarpur into two villages on the recommendations of the Panchayat under which it falls. If the government has done this on its own, then surely this action would weaken Panchayati Raj institutions. If it has effected division on the recommendations of the concerned Panchayat. The action would not weaken these institutions.
(e) A Village Panchayat observed that water sources of their region are depleting fast. They decided to mobilise village youth to do some voluntary work and revive the old village ponds and wells.
Ans: The mobilisation of village youth to do some voluntary work and revive the old village ponds and wells will make the presence of these institutions felt. The village people will develop increased respect for the Gram Panchayat. Thus, the Panchayati Raj institutions would be strengthened.
2. Suppose you are entrusted to evolve a local government plan of a state, what powers would you endow to the Village Panchayats to function as units of local self-government? Mention any five powers and the justification in two lines for each of them for giving those powers.
Ans: If I am entrusted to evolve a local government plan of a state, the following powers I would endow to the Village Panchayats to function as units of self-government:
(i) Civic Amenities: Civic amenities such as health facilities, means of transport, education, maintenance of government buildings and roads are looked after by various departments.
(ii) Social Welfare Activities: Social welfare could be defined as the many programs that are designed to help people in need of goods and services that they are unable to provide for themselves. Local, state, and federal government programs are available.
(iii) Agricultural Development: Government intervention is necessary to ensure food security, sustainable rural development, and environmental conservation. Agricultural development is closely linked to economic development, and the government’s role is to increase agricultural production, improve farmers’ welfare, and achieve economic growth.
(iv) Development Works: Political development enhances the state’s capacity to mobilise and allocate resources, to process policy inputs into implementable outputs. This assists with problem‐solving and adaptation to environmental changes and goal realisation.
(v) Educational work: As an academic discipline the study of politics in education has two main roots: The first root is based on theories from political science while the second root is footed in organisational theory.
3. What are the provisions for the reservations for the socially disadvantaged groups as per the 73rd amendment? Explain how these provisions have changed the profile of the leadership at the village level.
Ans: (a) According to the 73rd Amendment Act, seats are reserved for the scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad. Not less than one third of the total number of the elected seats reserved for the Scheduled castes shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled castes.
(b) One seat is reserved for Backward classes in a Gram Panchayat where population of backward classes in the Gram Sabha area is more than 20% of the total population of the Gram Sabha area.
(c) Offices of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayat in the district are reserved for Scheduled Castes in proportion to the population of Scheduled Castes to the total population of the district.
Reservation for the socially backward classes has significantly changed the social profile of local bodies. Local bodies have become more representative of the social reality they operate within.
4. What are the main differences between the local governments before the 73rd amendment and after that amendment?
Ans: (a) After the implementation of 73rd amendment, the local government has been divided into a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj structure.
(b) Before 73rd Amendment, Gram Sabha was not mandatory in all the villages. But now the amendment has made a provision for the mandatory creation of the Gram Sabha.
(c) After dissolution of the Panchayati Raj before its term of five years a fresh election has to be conducted within six months. This was not the case before the 73rd amendment was passed.
(d) Before 73rd Amendment in many states, there used to be indirect elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions. But under 73rd Amendment, direct elections are held to the local bodies.
(e) Before 73rd Amendment, there was no reservation of seats in the local bodies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. But under 73rd Amendment, seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad.
(f) Before the 73rd Amendment, there was no reservation of seats for women. But now 1/3rd of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every local body are reserved for women.
(g) By 73rd Amendment, provisions have been made for the establishment of the State Finance Commission.
5. Read the following conversation, Write in two hundred words your opinion about the issues raised in this conversation,
Alok: Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share in power.
Neha: But it is not enough that women should be in positions of power. It is necessary that the budgets of local bodies should have separate provisions for women.
Jayesh: I don’t like this reservation business. A local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women and their interests.
Ans: This conversation is given on the issue of equal power of women. Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. According to Article 15 the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. According to Article 39 (1), the State shall secure the right to an adequate livelihood to all citizens and according to Article 39 (d) calls for equal pay for equal work for both men and women. But in practice, we find a discrimination between men and women in our society.
In Alok’s opinion, our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share of power. But Neha wants that the budget of the local bodies should have separate provision for women and only then the women’s condition will improve. But in the opinion of Jayesh, a local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women. But here one thing is important that if we find the equal opportunity for men and women, it is not necessary that the women may get success. So it is necessary to give them some reservations in all fields. As we know the women have been backward in our society and the male candidate has not given them an opportunity. If a local body must take one of all people in the village that would automatically take care of women and their interest. But it would not be enough to improve the condition of women. Without reservation they would not succeed to get the powers and they would not succeed to make policies for the interests of women.
6. Read the provisions of the 73rd Amendment. Which of the following concerns does this amendment address?
(a) Fear of replacement makes representatives accountable to the people.
Ans: After the 73rd Amendment Act, 1993 it is mandatory to hold an election after every five years. If the state government dissolves the Panchayats before the end of its five year term, fresh elections must be held within six months. It makes representatives accountable.
(b) The dominant castes and feudal landlords dominate the local bodies.
Ans: After the 73rd Amendment Act, 1993, reservations for women, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes were made necessary. The women have been given 1/3 reservation in local bodies (Village Panchayat etc.) at all levels and the seats have been reserved in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population. As the Indian population has 16.2 percent Scheduled Castes and 8.2 percent Scheduled Tribes, about 6.6 lakh elected members in local bodies are from these social groups. This has significantly altered the social profile of the local bodies. The dominant castes and feudal landlords, who controlled the villages earlier do not wish to give up their power. Due to this, there is some tension and conflicts in the society.
(c) Rural illiteracy is very high. Illiterate people cannot take decisions about the development of the village.
Ans: The subjects included in the jurisdiction of Panchayati Raj institutions are listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. 29 subjects were inserted in this Schedule, which was inserted in 1992 by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. Education including primary and secondary education is one of these subjects. It is the responsibility of state governments to implement these provisions.
(d) To be effective, the Village Panchayats need resources and powers to make plans for the village development.
Ans: The Panchayats have been given powers to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and fees as in accordance with the provisions made by the State governments. The provisions have also been made for the establishment of a state Finance Commission after every five years to review the finances of Panchayats and to make recommendations as to what amount of grants to be given to the.Panchayats by the State Governments.
7. The following are the different justifications given in favour of local government. Give them ranking and explain why you attach greater significance to a particular rationale than the others. According to you, on which of these rationales the decision of the Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village was based? How?
(a) Government can complete the projects with lesser cost with the involvement of the local community.
(b) The development plans made by the local people will have greater acceptability than those made by the government officers.
(c) People know their area, needs, problems and priorities. By collective participation they should discuss and make decisions about their life.
(d) It is difficult for the common people to contact their representatives of the state or the national legislature.
Ans: The different justifications are given in favour of the local government.
Their ranking should be as follows:
1. (c) People know their area, needs, problems and priorities. By collective participation they should discuss and make decisions about their life.
2. (a) Government can complete the projects with lesser cost with the involvement of the local community.
3. (b) The development plans made by the local people will have greater acceptability than those made by the government officers.
4. (d) It is difficult for the common people to contact their representatives of the state or the national legislature.
The decision of the Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village was based on the rationale.
(c) People know their needs and priorities and they should make decisions about their life.
8. Which of the following according to you involve decentralisation? Why are other options not sufficient for decentralisation?
(a) To hold elections of the Gram Panchayat.
Ans: It is a part of the involvement of decentralisation.
(b) Decision by the villagers themselves about what policies and programmes are useful for the village.
Ans: Through the election they elect their representatives, who take decisions for the development of the village.
(c) Power to call a meeting of the Gram Sabha.
Ans: It is also a subsidiary in this procedure.
(d) A Gram Panchayat receiving the report from the Block Development Officer about the progress of a project started by the state government.
Ans: The Gram Panchayat, receiving the report from the Block Development Officer about the progress of a project started by the state government, is the manifestation of the working of decentralisation.
9. A student of Delhi University, Raghavendra Parpanna wanted to study the role of decentralisation in decision making about primary education. He asked some questions to the villagers. These questions are given below. If you were among those villagers, what answer would you give to each of these questions?
A meeting of the Gram Sabha is to be called to discuss what steps should be taken to ensure that every child of the village goes to the school.
(a) How would you decide the suitable day for the meeting? Think who would be able to attend/not attend the meeting because of your choice.
(i) A day specified by the BDO or the collector.
(ii) Day of the village haat.
(iii) Sunday.
(iv) Naag Panchami / Sankranti.
Ans: I think the best day for the meeting would be on a weekday that doesn’t conflict with major religious festivals or market days. This way, more people from the village can attend without feeling pressured by other commitments. Perhaps we could choose a day that’s convenient for most families after consulting with the village elders.
(b) What is a suitable venue for the meeting? Why?
(i) Venue suggested by the circular of the district collector.
(ii) Religious place in the village.
(iii) Dalit Mohalla.
(iv) Upper caste Tola.
(v) Village school.
Ans: I believe the village school would be the most appropriate venue. It’s a neutral space that everyone feels comfortable in, and it symbolises the importance of education for our community.
(c) In the Gram Sabha meeting firstly a circular sent by the district collector was read. It suggested what step should be taken to organise an education rally and what should be its route. The meeting did not discuss about the children who never come to school or about girls’ education or the condition of the school building and the timing of the school. No female teacher attended the meeting as it was held on Sunday.
What do you think about these proceedings as an instance of people’s participation?
Ans: While the circular from the district collector provided a good starting point, I think the Gram Sabha meeting should have focused more on specific issues affecting our village. We need to discuss practical solutions to problems like child absenteeism, girls’ education, and the condition of our school building. It’s unfortunate that the meeting didn’t include the perspectives of women teachers, who play a crucial role in our community.
(d) Imagine your class as the Gram Sabha. Discuss the agenda of the meeting and suggest some steps to realise the goal.
Ans: As a Gram Sabha, we should prioritise the following:
Identify the root causes of child absenteeism, such as poverty, lack of interest, or safety concerns.
Develop targeted strategies to address these issues, like providing free meals, tutoring, or safe transportation.
Involve the entire community in supporting education, including parents, teachers, and local businesses.
Advocate for increased government funding to improve the quality of education in our village.
Monitor progress regularly and make adjustments as needed.
