Answer the following questions :
1. What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Ans: The hand water pump had gone well below the point up to which the ground had been drilled. So they faced water problem. A Gram Sabha meeting of all villagers was called to find a solution of the problem. Here they came to the conclusion that water had to be conserved. Watershed development programme would be effective in this direction. They should plant trees , construct dams and tanks.
2. What in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Ans: The Gram Sabha is the most important body of the Panchayati Raj system. It is responsible for planning and implementation of the ruling provisions. It looks after the basic amenities of the village people. It is also the custodian of the public property of the village. It is also responsible for the education, law and order primary health services . It checks the wrong decisions taken by the Gram Panchayat. It keeps an eye on the elected representative .
It is important for all members to attend Gram Sabha’s meetings as it is the only way to participate in the proceedings of various plans discussed in the meetings. The members represent different areas, so it is important for them to put their local problems and development programmes in the meetings. If they remain absent from the meetings, their interests may be overlooked.
3. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans: A Gram Sabha consists of all adults living in an area covered by a Panchayat Sarpanch, the Panchayat President is elected by all the members of a Gram Sabha. The Gram Panchayat has a secretary who is also the secretary of Gram Sabha.
The Secretary is not an elected authority but is appointed by the government. He is the link between the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha. He is responsible for calling the meetings of Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. He is also the custodian of the records of the proceedings Gram Sabha controls the functioning of the Gram Panchayat.
4. Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the following:- Why it was taken up? Where did the money come from? Whether or not the work has been completed?
Ans: Our Panchayat recently undertook the task of building a community hall. It was necessary because there was no such common place where people could gather at a time. It was difficult to hold a general meeting , or organize a general function. The money was collected as contribution from the villagers and some part of it was also diverted from the Panchayat welfare fund.
Yes, the work has been completed within the projected time and it is now in use.
5. What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans: Gram Sabha consists of all the adults of a village while Gram Panchayat is elected by the members of the Gram Sabha for a period of five years. The area of Gram Sabha is the entire village whereas Gram Panchayat is divided into wards represented by ward councilors. Gram Sabha puts control over Gram Panchayat.
6. Read the following news item:
Nimone is a village on the Chauphula – Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villages depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to hospital for treatment in the FIR recorded by the police.
Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for lower castes.
Adapted from Indian Express “May 1. 2004
i) Why was Bhagvan beaten?
ii) Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?
Ans:
i) There was acute water crisis in Nimone village and the villagers had to depend on tankers for their needs. So when the tanker came to the village, Bhaagvan insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme By Nimone Gram Panchyat so that there would be equal distribution of water. But the upper caste men were against this and therefore they beat Bhagvan to suppress his demand.
ii) Yes, the above is a case of discrimination because the upper caste men try to suppress the genuine demand of the lower castes. They look down upon them and ignore their existence.
7. Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?
Ans: Watershed Development Programmes is an initiative of the government. It is done by the Non Government Organisation (NGOs) It helps in conservation of water by plantation, making bunds, canals etc.
Fill in the blanks:
1. The —- calls the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat.
2. In Tijia the ——- level seems to be going down every year.
3. Anwar suggested watershed —— programme.
4. The Nirmal Gram Puruskar is awarded to the village —- , for their excellent work done by him in the Panchayat.
5. ————- System is a process through which people participate in their own government.
Answers :
1. Secretary 2. Groundwater 3. Development 4. Panch 5. Panchayati Raj.
1) What are the functions of the ZillaParishad?
Ans: The ZillaParishad makes developmental plans at the district level. With the help of Panchayat Samitis it also regulates the money distribution among all the Gram Panchayat.
2) Write a brief note on the three levels of Panchayats.
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system is the first tier or level of democratic government. It extends to two other levels. One is the Block level, which is called Jampad Panchayat or the Panchayat Samiti. Above the Panchayat Samiti is the District Panchayat or the ZillaParishad.
Match the contents of Column A with that of Column B
Column A Column B
1. Sarpanch (a) Panchayat Samiti
2. Panch (b) ZillaParishad
3. Recharging (c) Member of the Panchayat
4. Block Panchayat (d) President of the Panchayat
5. District Panchayat (e) Refilling
Answers :
1. Sarpanch —– d) President of the Panchayat.
2. Panch —– c) Member of the Panchayat.
3. Recharging —– e) refilling
4. Block Panchayat —– a) Panchayat Samiti
5. District Panchayat —– b) Zilla Parishad.
State whether the following statements are True or False:
1. The secretary of the Gram Panchayat is responsible for keeping a record of the Gram Panchayat and the Gram Sabha .
2. Panchayati Raj system is third level of a democratic government.
3. The Panchs and the Gram Panchayat are answerable to the Gram Sabha.
4. The members of Gram Sabha must be of 18 years or above.
5. The people of Hardas village were facing the problem of electricity.
6. Gram Panchayat is elected for 3 years.
7. The people of Hardas village suggested watershed development programme for the permanent solution of the water shortage.
8. The secretary of the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha is an elected person.
9. Gram Panchayat collects local taxes.
10. Gram Sabha finalizes and approves the list of the people below the poverty line in rural areas.
Answers :
1. True 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. False
6. False 7. True 8. False 9. True 10. True .