Class 11 Political Science: Local Governments — Chapter Question Set

(b) The government has decided that 20 % of all its expenditure would be done through the panchayats. — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.

(d) To be effective the village panchayats need resources and powers to make plans for the village development. — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.

(c) People know their area, needs problems and priorities. By collective participation they should discuss and take decisions about their life. — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.

(b) What is a suitable venue for the meeting? Why? (i) Venue suggested by the cir cular of the district collector . (ii) Religious place in the village. (iii) Dalit Mohalla. (iv) Upper caste Tola (v) Village school — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.

a) Indian Constitution — The textbook states: 176 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Eight LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INTRODUCTION In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected government at the centre and at the State level.

d) also necessary that even at the local level — The textbook states: It is also necessary that even at the local level, there should be an elected government to look after local affairs.

c) government in our country — The textbook states: In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country.

b) give them independent powers — The textbook states: You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers.

a) the local government bodies — The textbook states: After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies.

d) Chapter — The textbook states: 177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?

c) Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat — The textbook states: Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.

b) 1995 — The textbook states: She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village people rewarded her for her admirable work by electing her again - this time from a non-reserved seat.

a) President — The textbook states: She was the President (Sarpanch) of a Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village in Tamil Nadu.

d) 1997 — The textbook states: In 1997, the Tamil Nadu government allotted two hectares of land to 71 government employees.

c) Gram Panchayat — The textbook states: This piece of land fell within the vicinity of this Gram Panchayat.

b) District Collector — The textbook states: On the instructions of higher authorities the District Collector of Kancheepuram directed the President of the Gram Panchayat to pass a resolution endorsing the allotment of the said land for the purpose already decided.

a) Gram Panchayat — The textbook states: The President and the Gram Panchayat refused to pass such an order and the Collector issued an order to acquire the land.

d) Madras High Court — The textbook states: The Gram Panchayat filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court against the Collector’s action.

c) High Court — The textbook states: The single judge bench of the High Court upheld the Collector’s order and ruled that there was no need to take the Panchayat’s consent.

b) Division — The textbook states: The Panchayat appealed to the Division bench against the single judge’s order.

a) Division Bench — The textbook states: In its order, the Division Bench reversed the order of the single judge.

d) Panchayats — The textbook states: The judges held that the government order amounted to not only infringement of the powers of the Panchayats but a gross violation of the constitutional status of the Panchayats.

c) 1993 — The textbook states: They are representative of a larger transformation that is taking place across India especially after constitutional status was accorded to local government institutions in 1993.

b) Sarpanch — The textbook states: But aren’t there cases of male members of the village panchayat harassing the woman Sarpanch in some places?

a) Indian Constitution — The textbook states: 178 Indian Constitution at Work Local government is government at the village and district level.

d) about government that involves the day-to-day — The textbook states: Local government is about government that involves the day-to-day life and problems of ordinary citizens.

c) essential ingredients for democratic decision — The textbook states: Local government believes that local knowledge and local interest are essential ingredients for democratic decision making.

b) also necessary for efficient and people-frien — The textbook states: They are also necessary for efficient and people-friendly administration.

a) that it is so near the people — The textbook states: The advantage of local government is that it is so near the people.

d) convenient for the people to approach the loc — The textbook states: It is convenient for the people to approach the local government for solving their problems both quickly and with minimum cost.

c) Geeta Rathore — The textbook states: In the story of Geeta Rathore, we noticed that she was able to bring about a significant change in Jamonia Talab because of her pro-active role as Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat.

b) Gram Panchayat President — The textbook states: Vengaivasal village is able to still retain its land and the right to decide what to do with it because of the relentless efforts of its Gram Panchayat President and members.

a) interests of the people — The textbook states: So, local governments can be very effective in protecting the local interests of the people.

d) participation and purposeful accountability — The textbook states: Strong and vibrant local governments ensure both active participation and purposeful accountability.

c) one of committed participation — The textbook states: Geeta Rathore’s story is one of committed participation.

b) Gram Panchayat — The textbook states: V engaivasal village Gram Panchayat’s relentless efforts to secure its rights over its own land were an example of a mission to ensure accountability.

a) at the level of local government that common — The textbook states: It is at the level of local government that common citizens can be involved in decision making concerning their lives, their needs and above all their development.

d) necessary that in a democracy — The textbook states: It is necessary that in a democracy, tasks, which can be performed locally, should be left in the hands of the local people and their representatives.

c) State — The textbook states: Common people are more familiar with their local government than with the government at the State or national level.

b) also more concerned with what local governmen — The textbook states: They are also more concerned with what local government does or has failed to do as it has a direct bearing and impact on Is it possible that we only had governments at the local level and a coordinating body at the national level?

a) Mahatma Gandhi — The textbook states: I think Mahatma Gandhi advocated some ideas along these lines.

d) Chapter — The textbook states: 179 Chapter 8: Local Governments their day-to-day life.

c) like strengthening democratic processes — The textbook states: Thus, strengthening local government is like strengthening democratic processes.

b) How — The textbook states: Check your progress ± How does local government strengthen democracy?

a) Government — The textbook states: ± In the example given above, what do you think the Government of Tamil Nadu should have done?

d) IN INDIA Let — The textbook states: GROWTH OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN INDIA Let us now discuss how local government has grown in India and what our Constitution says about it.

c) India — The textbook states: It is believed that self-governing village communities existed in India from the earliest times in the form of ‘sabhas’ (village assemblies).

b) Panchayats — The textbook states: In the course of time, these village bodies took the shape of Panchayats (an assembly of five persons) and these Panchayats resolved issues at the village level.

a) different points of time — The textbook states: Their role and functions kept on changing at different points of time.

d) 1882 — The textbook states: In modern times, elected local government bodies were created after 1882.

You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers. If the State government dissolves the Panchayat before the end of its five year term, Does a Gram sabha mean the democratic forum of the entire village? 187 Chapter 8: Local Governments Activity ± Identify some of the powers that your State government has delegated to panchayats.

The 73rd Amendment is about rural local governments (which are also known as Panchayati Raj Institutions 183 Chapter 8: Local Governments or PRIs) and the 74 th amendment made the provisions relating to urban local government (Nagarpalikas). 186 Indian Constitution at Work The provisions of the 73rd amendment were not made applicable to the areas inhabited by the Adivasi populations in many States of India. All the provisions of the 73rd amendment relating to direct elections, reservations, transfer of subjects, State Election Commission and State Finance Commission are incorporated in the 74th amendment also and thus apply to Nagarpalikas.

We must be able to reform the villages and introduce democratic principles of government there…” Local Governments in Independent India Local governments got a fillip after the 73 rd and 74 th Constitution Amendment Acts. The 73rd Amendment is about rural local governments (which are also known as Panchayati Raj Institutions 183 Chapter 8: Local Governments or PRIs) and the 74 th amendment made the provisions relating to urban local government (Nagarpalikas). Before the 73rd amendment, in many States, there used to be indirect elections to the district bodies and there was no provision for immediate elections after dissolution.

In 1997, the Tamil Nadu government allotted two hectares of land to 71 government employees. Check your progress ± How does local government strengthen democracy? In the course of time, these village bodies took the shape of Panchayats (an assembly of five persons) and these Panchayats resolved issues at the village level.

She was the President (Sarpanch) of a Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village in Tamil Nadu. Vengaivasal village is able to still retain its land and the right to decide what to do with it because of the relentless efforts of its Gram Panchayat President and members. V engaivasal village Gram Panchayat’s relentless efforts to secure its rights over its own land were an example of a mission to ensure accountability.

176 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Eight LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INTRODUCTION In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected government at the centre and at the State level.

It is also necessary that even at the local level, there should be an elected government to look after local affairs.

In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country.

You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers.

After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies.

177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?

Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.

She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village people rewarded her for her admirable work by electing her again - this time from a non-reserved seat.

There is another story of yet another woman achiever.

She was the President (Sarpanch) of a Gram Panchayat of Vengaivasal village in Tamil Nadu.

In 1997, the Tamil Nadu government allotted two hectares of land to 71 government employees.

This piece of land fell within the vicinity of this Gram Panchayat.

On the instructions of higher authorities the District Collector of Kancheepuram directed the President of the Gram Panchayat to pass a resolution endorsing the allotment of the said land for the purpose already decided.

The President and the Gram Panchayat refused to pass such an order and the Collector issued an order to acquire the land.

The Gram Panchayat filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court against the Collector’s action.

The single judge bench of the High Court upheld the Collector’s order and ruled that there was no need to take the Panchayat’s consent.

The Panchayat appealed to the Division bench against the single judge’s order.

In its order, the Division Bench reversed the order of the single judge.

The judges held that the government order amounted to not only infringement of the powers of the Panchayats but a gross violation of the constitutional status of the Panchayats.

Both these stories are not isolated incidents.

176 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Eight LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INTRODUCTION In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected government at the centre and at the State level. 176 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Eight LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INTRODUCTION In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected government at the centre and at the State level. It is also necessary that even at the local level, there should be an elected government to look after local affairs. In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country.

It is also necessary that even at the local level, there should be an elected government to look after local affairs. 176 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Eight LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INTRODUCTION In a democracy, it is not sufficient to have an elected government at the centre and at the State level. It is also necessary that even at the local level, there should be an elected government to look after local affairs. In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country. You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers.

In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country. It is also necessary that even at the local level, there should be an elected government to look after local affairs. In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country. You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers. After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies.

You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers. In this chapter, you will study the structure of local government in our country. You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers. After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies. 177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?

After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies. You will also study the importance of the local governments and ways to give them independent powers. After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies. 177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.

177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? After studying this chapter, you will know: /rhombbutton2the importance of local government bodies; /rhombbutton2the provisions made by the 73 rd and 74 th amendments; and /rhombbutton2functions and responsibilities of the local government bodies. 177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village people rewarded her for her admirable work by electing her again - this time from a non-reserved seat.

Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. 177 Chapter 8: Local Governments WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? Geeta Rathore belongs to Jamonia Talab Gram Panchayat, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. She was elected Sarpanch in 1995 from a reserved seat; but in 2000, the village people rewarded her for her admirable work by electing her again - this time from a non-reserved seat. There is another story of yet another woman achiever.