Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 5 “Local Self-Government-Rural” which is part of ICSE Class 9 Civics (Morning Star) workbook answers. However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
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Summary
The chapter on Local Self-Government in rural areas explains the Panchayati Raj system, which allows villages to manage their own affairs. This system functions on three levels: the Gram Panchayat at the village level, the Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and the Zila Parishad at the district level.
Local self-government refers to institutions where elected representatives manage local matters, such as sanitation, education, and resolving disputes. These representatives receive government grants to carry out their duties. This system is different from local government, where officials appointed by the state, like policemen and patwaris, manage local services without input from local residents.
The Panchayati Raj system was first introduced in 1959 and was solidified by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act in 1992. This amendment mandated the creation of a three-tier system of governance, regular elections every five years, and reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women. Each state was required to set up a State Finance Commission every five years to ensure proper funding for the Panchayats.
The Gram Panchayat, made up of elected members, is led by a Sarpanch. It performs both administrative and social functions, such as maintaining roads, health centres, and schools, and providing facilities like irrigation. Some states also have Nyaya Panchayats, which offer villagers quick and inexpensive justice.
The Panchayat Samiti oversees multiple villages, focusing on higher education, health services, and agricultural development. At the district level, the Zila Parishad coordinates the activities of Panchayat Samitis and helps with development work across the district. This system helps reduce the workload of the state and central governments while allowing local communities to manage their needs.
Textbook solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following statements best describe the difference between Local Self-Government and Local Government?
(P) In Local Government, the administration of a locality is looked after by the officials appointed by the State.
(Q) Local Self-government consists of elected representatives who get grants from the government.
(R) In Local Government, all the voters look after the administration of the State.
(S) Local Self-government is run by a Cooperative comprising the MLAs and Sarpanchs of the Panchayat.
(a) P and Q
(b) R and S
(c) P and R
(d) R and Q
Answer: (a) P and Q.
2. Which of the following statements about the significance of local self-government are correct?
(P) They make it possible for the local people to run their own affairs.
(Q) They make it possible for the local people to select their favourites to run the administration.
(R) They give the local people the right to call back the members of the Panchayat if they do not work for the welfare of the local people.
(S) They lessen the burden of workload on State and Central government machinery.
(a) P and Q
(b) R and S
(c) P and R
(d) Q and S
Answer: (a) P and Q.
3. A person commits an offence and is taken to Nyaya Panchayat. Which of the following actions can be taken by the Nyaya Panchayat?
(a) It can award a sentence of imprisonment for a month.
(b) It can impose a fine of up to Rs. 1000.
(c) It can impose a fine of up to Rs. 100.
(d) It can award both a fine and imprisonment.
Answer: (c) It can impose a fine of up to Rs. 100.
4. Complete the following analogy: Panchayat : rural :: _____ : urban
(a) Zila Parishad
(b) Municipality
(c) Gram Sabha
(d) Mayor’s Office
Answer: (b) Municipality
5. Local self-government has which of the following benefits?
(a) Reduces workload on State Government
(b) Easy accessibility to common citizen
(c) Training for local leadership
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above.
6. Where was the Panchayati Raj System inaugurated?
(a) Nagaur, Rajasthan
(b) Amritsar, Punjab
(c) Ajmer, Rajasthan
(d) Bhatinda, Punjab
Answer: (a) Nagaur, Rajasthan.
7. Under the system of local self-government, which local body discharges judicial functions in a rural area?
(a) Gram Panchayat
(b) Nyaya Panchayat
(c) Panchayat Samiti
(d) Zila Parishad
Answer: (b) Nyaya Panchayat.
8. Name the apex body of the Panchayati Raj System.
(a) Gram Panchayat
(b) Panchayat Samiti
(c) Zila Parishad
(d) Gram Sabha
Answer: (c) Zila Parishad.
9. Which of the following is NOT a part of the three-tier Panchayati Raj System?
(a) Gram Panchayat
(b) Gram Samiti
(c) Zila Parishad
(d) Panchayat Samiti
Answer: (b) Gram Samiti.
Short Answer Questions
1. Differentiate between local government and local self-government unit.
Answer: Local self-government is quite different from local government. In local government, the administration of a locality is looked after by the officials appointed by the State. Such officials are paid a salary; they include patwari or policeman or the village chowkidar, and the village postman. These officials provide certain services to the local people and do not have any say in management and administration of local affairs. Local self-government consists of elected representatives. They receive government grants for their activities like sanitation, providing elementary education and settling disputes. That is to say that local people govern themselves.
2. What are the advantages of having local self-government?
Answer:
(i) These institutions provide the foundations on which the entire democratic structure of our country stands. These institutions make it possible for local people to take interest in their own affairs and groom them well to take on larger responsibilities later.
(ii) The local institutions provide a training ground for local leadership and to gain necessary experience for undertaking bigger challenges at the state or the national level.
(iii) Local people know their problems well and are best judges of their own needs.
(iv) The local institutions encourage self-help and voluntary service and save the state of many unnecessary expenses.
(v) Local self-government institutions gain the support of local communities.
(vi) Through these institutions, government can reach ordinary citizens in times of need like National Emergency.
(vii) These institutions lessen the burden of workload on State and Central Government machinery.
(viii) They facilitate active participation of local people as an individual can evaluate the performance of the elected representatives.
3. Name the three-tier institutions of the Panchayati Raj.
Answer:
(i) Panchayats at village level.
(ii) Panchayat Samiti at block level or middle level.
(iii) Zila Parishad at District level.
4. What is a Gram Sabha?
Answer: The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by the Gram Sabha. In essence, Gram Sabha functions as the general body of the Gram Panchayat. All adult men and women in the village registered as voters are members of the Gram Sabha.
5. What did the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 provide for in respect of organisation of Panchayats?
Answer:
(i) To provide three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having a population of over 20 lakh.
(ii) To hold Panchayat elections regularly every five years.
(iii) To provide reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.
(iv) To constitute State Finance Commissions every five years to make recommendations on financial powers of the Panchayats.
(v) To constitute District Planning Committee to prepare draft development plan for the district as a whole.
6. What was the view of Gandhiji on Panchayats?
Answer: Gandhiji’s dream of every village being a republic has been translated into reality with the introduction of the three-tier Panchayati Raj System.
7. Who is the head of the village Panchayat? What is the remuneration of this person?
Answer: The Sarpanch is the head of the Gram Panchayat. The Sarpanch and Vice-Sarpanch are honorary members. They are not paid a salary.
Structured Questions
1. With reference to local self-government in rural areas, answer the following questions:
(a) Name important local self-government institutions.
Answer: The important local self-government institutions in rural areas are the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
(b) What is the significance of self-government institutions?
Answer: The significance of self-government institutions is as follows:
(i) These institutions provide the foundations on which the entire democratic structure of our country stands.
(ii) These institutions make it possible for local people to take an interest in their own affairs and groom them well to take on larger responsibilities later.
(iii) The local institutions provide a training ground for local leadership and to gain necessary experience for undertaking bigger challenges at the state or the national level.
(iv) Local people know their problems well and are best judges of their own needs.
(v) The local institutions encourage self-help and voluntary service and save the state from many unnecessary expenses.
(vi) Local self-government institutions gain the support of local communities.
(vii) Through these institutions, the government can reach ordinary citizens in times of need, such as during a National Emergency.
(viii) These institutions lessen the burden of workload on the State and Central Government machinery.
(ix) They facilitate active participation of local people as an individual can evaluate the performance of the elected representatives.
(c) Mention any four salient features of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992.
Answer:
(i) To provide a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having a population of over 20 lakh.
(ii) To hold Panchayat elections regularly every five years.
(iii) To provide reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
(iv) To constitute State Finance Commissions every five years to make recommendations on financial powers of the Panchayats.
2. With respect to Panchayati Raj system, answer the following questions:
(a) How did the Panchayats come to be set up on a uniform basis all over the country?
Answer: The Panchayats were set up on a uniform basis all over the country with the introduction of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. This amendment provided for a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States with a population of over 20 lakh and mandated that elections be held regularly every five years. It also made provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
(b) Mention any three achievements of the Panchayati Raj System.
Answer:
(i) Panchayati Raj system has brought government closer to the people by enabling local self-governance.
(ii) The system has helped in providing training grounds for local leadership, preparing them for larger roles in state or national governance.
(iii) It has ensured effective coordination between government programmes and voluntary agencies, aiding in the development of rural areas.
(c) What is Nyaya Panchayat? Mention two of its functions.
Answer: Nyaya Panchayat is a judicial body set up for every three or four Gram Panchayats.
Functions:
(i) They ensure quick and inexpensive justice to villagers.
(ii) They can impose a fine of up to Rs. 100.
3. With reference to Gram Panchayat, state the following:
(a) Its composition.
Answer: The composition of the Gram Panchayat includes the Sarpanch, who is the head, and members elected by the Gram Sabha. The number of members is fixed by the State and ranges from 5 to 31. One-third of the seats are reserved for women, and seats are also reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in the village.
(b) Its function.
Answer:
- Administrative Functions:
(i) All public works and public welfare functions like construction, repair, and maintenance of village roads, cart tracks, and wells, bridges, drains, tanks.
(ii) Upkeep of cremation and burial grounds.
(iii) Sanitation, health, setting up of health centres and dispensaries.
(iv) Providing primary education.
(v) Arranging irrigation facilities, seeds, fertilisers.
(vi) Registration of births and deaths.
(vii) Maintaining records of common village property, their sale and purchase and land grants. - Social and Economic Functions:
(i) Construction of guest houses, libraries, marriage halls, etc.
(ii) Organising regular village melas, fairs and exhibitions.
(iii) Planting of trees, parks, gardens, and playgrounds for recreation.
(iv) Establishing fair price shops, Cooperative Credit Societies. - Judicial Functions: These are discussed under Nyaya Panchayats.
(c) Important office bearers.
Answer: The important office bearers of the Gram Panchayat are the Sarpanch, who is the head of the Panchayat, and the Vice-Sarpanch, elected from amongst its members. The Sarpanch and Vice-Sarpanch are honorary members and do not receive a salary. A paid Secretary to the Panchayat and a Treasurer, if the Panchayat is large, are appointed by the State government through the district authorities.
4. With reference to the Panchayat Samiti, answer the following questions:
(a) What is known as the Panchayat Samiti? Who is the head of the Panchayat Samiti? How is he appointed?
Answer: The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate body at the block level, also known by different names such as Kshetra Samiti, Janapada Panchayat, and Panchayat Union Council. The head of the Panchayat Samiti is the Chairperson, who is elected from amongst its members.
(b) State the composition of the Panchayat Samiti.
Answer: The composition of the Panchayat Samiti includes the following members:
(i) Sarpanchs of all Panchayats concerned.
(ii) Members of the Legislative Assembly of the State from the area.
(iii) Members of Parliament belonging to the area.
(iv) Block Development Officers of the block or the area served by them.
(v) Co-opted members representing women, Scheduled Castes/Tribes (provisional).
(vi) Representatives of Cooperative Societies (only in certain States).
(c) List four functions of the Panchayat Samiti.
Answer:
(i) To supervise and coordinate the working of Gram Panchayats.
(ii) To conduct higher education (higher secondary level and above) for a group of villages or at block level.
(iii) To provide hospital and health services with various facilities at community block level.
(iv) To approve building plans and undertake other development works including roads and bridges within the circle Panchayats.
5. With reference to the Panchayati Raj System, answer the following questions:
(a) State the name and composition of the apex body.
Answer: The apex body of the Panchayati Raj System is the Zila Parishad. Its composition varies from 40 to 60 members and usually includes the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Presidents of all Panchayat Samitis in the district, Heads of all Government Departments in the district, Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly in the district, representatives of each cooperative society (only in some States), some women and Scheduled Caste members if not adequately represented, and co-opted members having extraordinary experience and achievements in public service.
(b) Who is the head of local government at the district level? How is he elected?
Answer: The head of the local government at the district level is the Chairman of the Zila Parishad. He is elected by the members of the Zila Parishad from amongst themselves.
(c) List four functions of the apex body.
Answer:
(i) Overseeing all-round development work of the district under the overall charge of an experienced functionary like the Deputy Commissioner.
(ii) Cooperating with and coordinating the work of Panchayat Samitis for undertaking various development works, especially minor irrigation works, vocational and industrial schools, village industries, sanitation, and public health.
(iii) Supervising the working of Panchayats.
(iv) Advising the State Government on all matters relating to the Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis under their jurisdiction.
Thinking Skills
1. A large number of people in the villages are illiterate and are carried away by caste and creed politics. In this scenario, do you think Panchayati Raj system is effective in providing good governance in the villages? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: No, the Panchayati Raj system will not be effective in such a scenario. People will vote for their caste rather than for a capable candidate, which will defeat the very purpose of Panchayati Raj, i.e., decentralisation of power and participation of all sections of people. Illiterate people will be easily manipulated and will not question the elected members.
2. Do you think digitalisation in the villages will help in providing the benefits of various welfare schemes introduced by the Central government to the villagers? Give two examples to support your answer.
Answer: Yes, digitalisation will help in providing the benefits of the Central government schemes to the villagers. It will reduce the dependence on middlemen, thus preventing corruption. It will ensure transparency. For example, digitalisation will help in the proper implementation of MGNREGA and the villagers will get wages directly into their bank accounts. The e-Panchayat will help in maintaining proper records of developmental activities.
Extras MCQs
1. When was the Panchayati Raj system first inaugurated in India?
A. April 24, 1993
B. October 2, 1959
C. January 26, 1950
D. August 15, 1947
Answer: B. October 2, 1959
38. Which entity acts as a link between the government and local bodies in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. Gram Panchayat
B. Panchayat Samiti
C. Zila Parishad
D. Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: C. Zila Parishad
Extra Questions and Answers
1. What is Local Self-Government?
Answer: Local self-government is an institution comprising locally elected representatives managing the affairs of the locality and providing them with basic amenities.
40. What are the major initiatives under the Panchayati Raj system for rural development?
Answer: The Panchayati Raj system is integral to rural development initiatives in India, spearheading various programmes that bring the government closer to the people. Notable initiatives include:
- Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY): This scheme focuses on rural employment and aims to enhance the income levels of rural households through self-employment opportunities. The Ministry of Rural Development trains Panchayat members to implement these programmes effectively.
- Digital Panchayats: As part of the Digital India programme, over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats are being digitised. This includes initiatives like the eGram Swaraj portal, a web-based system that digitises village records, making them accessible via mobile phones.
- Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY): This programme is implemented by Panchayats to create demand-driven village infrastructure. It works in close cooperation with District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs).
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005: Under this act, Gram Panchayats are tasked with providing 100 days of unskilled manual work per year to rural households, aiming to improve the economic condition of rural families.
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