Grassroots Democracy – Part 3

A. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (originally ‘Bombay Municipal Corporation’) was created in 1865. — Rustom K.

D. This is the broader concept of participatory democracy.

C. We saw the basics of the system in a rural context.

B. Let us now see how it works in an urban scenario.

A. Since the latter is generally more complex and diverse than the former, it is understandable that the urban governance system needs to be more complex too.

D. We will however limit ourselves here to its basic principles.

C. The base of the pyramid is the local level, closer to the people, while the top is the national level.

B. In Chapter 11, we explored the left side of the pyramid; we will now take a look at the right side.

A. Urban Local Bodies Local government structures in urban areas are called ‘urban local bodies’.

D. 12.2 Not to scale Governance and Democracy top, the local communities have a direct say on how their areas are managed or the issues they face.

C. Cities and towns are divided into smaller units called ‘wards’, and the ward committees facilitate activities such as conducting health camps, organising a campaign against the use of single-use plastics, and so on.

B. They also keep an eye on anything that might go wrong — a water leak, a blocked drain, a damaged road, etc. — and report such problems to the authorities.

A. However, the precise functioning of wards differs from State to State, depending on the rules they make.

D. Altogether, urban local bodies are responsible for a range of functions — helping take care of the infrastructure, maintaining the burial ground, garbage collection and disposal, checking the implementation of government schemes, collecting local taxes and fines, and so on.

C. They also have some role in planning for the area’s economic and social development.

B. However, for these bodies to be able to perform their functions efficiently, people living in the city must also perform their duties, which means that they must show care and concern for their area (remember, this is a participatory democracy).

A. For instance, if people carefully follow instructions regarding waste segregation, garbage collection becomes easier; or if they notice a water leakage in a street, reporting it promptly will prevent further wastage of precious water.

D. The Madras Corporation (now Greater Chennai Corporation), established on 29 September 1688, is the oldest municipal institution in India.

C. The East India Company issued a charter the previous year constituting the town of ‘Fort St.

B. George’ and all territories within 16 km from the Fort into a corporation.

A. A Parliamentary Act of 1792 gave the Madras Corporation power to levy municipal taxes in the city, which is when the municipal administration properly began.

D. Services under the Indore Municipal Corporation THINK ABOUT IT Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the cleanest city in India under the Swachh Survekshan government scheme for seven years in a row.

C. As we see, Chennai and Indore have a Municipal Corpo- ration at the top of their urban bodies.

B. Only cities with a population above 10 lakhs have a Municipal Corporation (also called ‘Mahanagar Nigam’) as their highest body.

A. Between 1 and 10 lakhs, the highest body is a Municipal Council (also called ‘Nagar Palika’).

D. Cities and towns with smaller populations have a Nagar Panchayat.

C. These ma y include the city you live in or the city nearest to your town or village.

B. I haven’t seen you around here before.

A. Yes, I’m visiting my grand- parents who live nearby.

D. Governance and Democracy Anita: Well, it’s busy and crowded, with tall buildings everywhere.

C. There are so many people rushing around all the time, and it’s noisy compared to the quietness here.

B. Also, people are more independent and often don’t even know their neighbours.

A. Here, everyone knows everyone else and pitches in to help each other out — we work together in the fields, celebrate festivals together, and even make decisions as a community.

D. Anita: Well, there’s still some sense of community in the city.

C. Just the other day, following heavy rains, a house collapsed two streets away.

B. Dozens of people gathered from all over the place to help clear the rubble and make sure no one was trapped inside.

A. In fact, we have local bodies and elected representatives who represent us and our interests.

D. Sameer: Well, it sounds like our village Panchayat, only bigger.

C. Members are elected, too, but because they all know each other, a lot more people can participate and discuss all kinds of issues that concern the village.

B. Sometimes, even us kids can get heard.

A. The other day a few kids noticed that an electricity wire was hanging dangerously low, almost touching the roof of a building.

D. Not only did we report it, but we explained to one of our Gram Sabha members that an electric post should be shifted a little.

C. I suppose that’s how democracy should work.

B. It seems more complicated in the city, but the idea is the same — everyone’s voice matters.

A. My mother needs my help for a little shopping.

D. Thanks for telling me about the city.

C. Anita: And thanks for telling me about your village!

B. I am definitely going to look around.

A. Sameer: Well, maybe we’ll meet again sometime.

D. A lot of water is being wasted on account of the leak.

Invite a member of an urban local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities.

Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.

Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful. Governance and Democracy bourhood, and mak e a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies.

Governance and Democracy bourhood, and mak e a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies. Mak e a list of characteristics of a good urban local body.

Mak e a list of characteristics of a good urban local body. Noodles *‘Noodles’ is our abbreviation for ‘Notes and Doodles’!

Noodles *‘Noodles’ is our abbreviation for ‘Notes and Doodles’! Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas CHAPTER12 I desire that... a full-fledged local body should be immediately formed,...

Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas CHAPTER12 I desire that... a full-fledged local body should be immediately formed,... Mumbai (originally ‘Bombay Municipal Corporation’) was created in 1865. — Rustom K.

Mumbai (originally ‘Bombay Municipal Corporation’) was created in 1865. — Rustom K. Earlier chapters have shown us how, in a democracy, good governance aims to empower the citizens so they may actively participate in their country’s functioning, whether it is at the rural, regional, urban, state or national level.

Earlier chapters have shown us how, in a democracy, good governance aims to empower the citizens so they may actively participate in their country’s functioning, whether it is at the rural, regional, urban, state or national level. at the rural, regional, urban, state or national level. This is the broader concept of participatory democracy. We saw the basics of the system in a rural context. Let us now see how it works in an urban scenario.

at the rural, regional, urban, state or national level. This is the broader concept of participatory democracy. We saw the basics of the system in a rural context. Let us now see how it works in an urban scenario. Let us now see how it works in an urban scenario. Since the latter is generally more complex and diverse than the former, it is understandable that the urban governance system needs to be more complex too.

Let us now see how it works in an urban scenario. Since the latter is generally more complex and diverse than the former, it is understandable that the urban governance system needs to be more complex too. base of the pyramid is the local level, closer to the people, while the top is the national level. In Chapter 11, we explored the left side of the pyramid; we will now take a look at the right side.

base of the pyramid is the local level, closer to the people, while the top is the national level. In Chapter 11, we explored the left side of the pyramid; we will now take a look at the right side. scale Governance and Democracy top, the local communities have a direct say on how their areas are managed or the issues they face.

scale Governance and Democracy top, the local communities have a direct say on how their areas are managed or the issues they face. the ward committees facilitate activities such as conducting health camps, organising a campaign against the use of single-use plastics, and so on.

the ward committees facilitate activities such as conducting health camps, organising a campaign against the use of single-use plastics, and so on. anything that might go wrong — a water leak, a blocked drain, a damaged road, etc. — and report such problems to the authorities. However, the precise functioning of wards differs from State to State, depending on the rules they make.

anything that might go wrong — a water leak, a blocked drain, a damaged road, etc. — and report such problems to the authorities. However, the precise functioning of wards differs from State to State, depending on the rules they make. of the infrastructure, maintaining the burial ground, garbage collection and disposal, checking the implementation of government schemes, collecting local taxes and fines, and so on. They also have some role in planning for the area’s economic and social development.

of the infrastructure, maintaining the burial ground, garbage collection and disposal, checking the implementation of government schemes, collecting local taxes and fines, and so on. They also have some role in planning for the area’s economic and social development. must also perform their duties, which means that they must show care and concern for their area (remember, this is a participatory democracy). follow instructions regarding waste segregation, garbage collection becomes easier; or if they notice a water leakage in a street, reporting it promptly will prevent further wastage of precious water.

follow instructions regarding waste segregation, garbage collection becomes easier; or if they notice a water leakage in a street, reporting it promptly will prevent further wastage of precious water. Greater Chennai Corporation), established on 29 September 1688, is the oldest municipal institution in India. The East India Company issued a charter the previous year constituting the town of ‘Fort St. As we see, Chennai and Indore have a Municipal Corpo- ration at the top of their urban bodies. Only cities with a population above 10 lakhs have a Municipal Corporation (also called ‘Mahanagar Nigam’) as their highest body.

As we see, Chennai and Indore have a Municipal Corpo- ration at the top of their urban bodies. Only cities with a population above 10 lakhs have a Municipal Corporation (also called ‘Mahanagar Nigam’) as their highest body. Municipal Corporation (also called ‘Mahanagar Nigam’) as their highest body. Between 1 and 10 lakhs, the highest body is a Municipal Council (also called ‘Nagar Palika’). Cities and towns with smaller populations have a Nagar Panchayat. tall buildings everywhere. There are so many people rushing around all the time, and it’s noisy compared to the quietness here. Also, people are more independent and often don’t even know their neighbours. Sameer: Wow!

tall buildings everywhere. There are so many people rushing around all the time, and it’s noisy compared to the quietness here. Also, people are more independent and often don’t even know their neighbours. Sameer: Wow! don’t even know their neighbours. Sameer: Wow! Here, everyone knows everyone else and pitches in to help each other out — we work together in the fields, celebrate festivals together, and even make decisions as a community. festivals together, and even make decisions as a community. Anita: Well, there’s still some sense of community in the city. Just the other day, following heavy rains, a house collapsed two streets away.

festivals together, and even make decisions as a community. Anita: Well, there’s still some sense of community in the city. Just the other day, following heavy rains, a house collapsed two streets away. Well, it sounds like our village Panchayat, only bigger. Members are elected, too, but because they all know each other, a lot more people can participate and discuss all kinds of issues that concern the village. other day a few kids noticed that an electricity wire was hanging dangerously low, almost touching the roof of a building.

other day a few kids noticed that an electricity wire was hanging dangerously low, almost touching the roof of a building. we explained to one of our Gram Sabha members that an electric post should be shifted a little. And it was done! Anita: Great! I suppose that’s how democracy should work. democracy should work. It seems more complicated in the city, but the idea is the same — everyone’s voice matters. Sameer: Yes, it does! Sorry, I must make a move. My mother needs my help for a little shopping.

democracy should work. It seems more complicated in the city, but the idea is the same — everyone’s voice matters. Sameer: Yes, it does! Sorry, I must make a move. My mother needs my help for a little shopping. a move. My mother needs my help for a little shopping. Thanks for telling me about the city. Anita: And thanks for telling me about your village! I am definitely going to look around. Sameer: Well, maybe we’ll meet again sometime. Bye! am definitely going to look around. Sameer: Well, maybe we’ll meet again sometime. Bye! Before we move on... → In urban areas, decentralised governance works through different urban local bodies, which fulfil various functions affecting the citizens’ lives.

am definitely going to look around. Sameer: Well, maybe we’ll meet again sometime. Bye! Before we move on... → In urban areas, decentralised governance works through different urban local bodies, which fulfil various functions affecting the citizens’ lives. local bodies, which fulfil various functions affecting the citizens’ lives. → As with the rural context, urban local bodies have elected members who represent the local citizens. local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.

local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful. Governance and Democracy bourhood, and mak e a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies. Mak e a list of characteristics of a good urban local body. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (originally ‘Bombay Municipal Corporation’) was created in 1865. — Rustom K.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (originally ‘Bombay Municipal Corporation’) was created in 1865. — Rustom K. This is the broader concept of participatory democracy. We saw the basics of the system in a rural context.

We saw the basics of the system in a rural context. Let us now see how it works in an urban scenario. Since the latter is generally more complex and diverse than the former, it is understandable that the urban governance system needs to be more complex too. We will however limit ourselves here to its basic principles. The base of the pyramid is the local level, closer to the people, while the top is the national level.

The base of the pyramid is the local level, closer to the people, while the top is the national level. In Chapter 11, we explored the left side of the pyramid; we will now take a look at the right side. Urban Local Bodies Local government structures in urban areas are called ‘urban local bodies’. 12.2 Not to scale Governance and Democracy top, the local communities have a direct say on how their areas are managed or the issues they face. Cities and towns are divided into smaller units called ‘wards’, and the ward committees facilitate activities such as conducting health camps, organising a campaign against the use of single-use plastics, and so on.

Cities and towns are divided into smaller units called ‘wards’, and the ward committees facilitate activities such as conducting health camps, organising a campaign against the use of single-use plastics, and so on. They also keep an eye on anything that might go wrong — a water leak, a blocked drain, a damaged road, etc. — and report such problems to the authorities. However, the precise functioning of wards differs from State to State, depending on the rules they make. Altogether, urban local bodies are responsible for a range of functions — helping take care of the infrastructure, maintaining the burial ground, garbage collection and disposal, checking the implementation of government schemes, collecting local taxes and fines, and so on. They also have some role in planning for the area’s economic and social development.

They also have some role in planning for the area’s economic and social development. However, for these bodies to be able to perform their functions efficiently, people living in the city must also perform their duties, which means that they must show care and concern for their area (remember, this is a participatory democracy). For instance, if people carefully follow instructions regarding waste segregation, garbage collection becomes easier; or if they notice a water leakage in a street, reporting it promptly will prevent further wastage of precious water. The Madras Corporation (now Greater Chennai Corporation), established on 29 September 1688, is the oldest municipal institution in India. The East India Company issued a charter the previous year constituting the town of ‘Fort St.

The East India Company issued a charter the previous year constituting the town of ‘Fort St. George’ and all territories within 16 km from the Fort into a corporation. A Parliamentary Act of 1792 gave the Madras Corporation power to levy municipal taxes in the city, which is when the municipal administration properly began. Services under the Indore Municipal Corporation THINK ABOUT IT Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the cleanest city in India under the Swachh Survekshan government scheme for seven years in a row. As we see, Chennai and Indore have a Municipal Corpo- ration at the top of their urban bodies.

As we see, Chennai and Indore have a Municipal Corpo- ration at the top of their urban bodies. Only cities with a population above 10 lakhs have a Municipal Corporation (also called ‘Mahanagar Nigam’) as their highest body. Between 1 and 10 lakhs, the highest body is a Municipal Council (also called ‘Nagar Palika’). Cities and towns with smaller populations have a Nagar Panchayat. These ma y include the city you live in or the city nearest to your town or village.

These ma y include the city you live in or the city nearest to your town or village. I haven’t seen you around here before. Yes, I’m visiting my grand- parents who live nearby. Governance and Democracy Anita: Well, it’s busy and crowded, with tall buildings everywhere. There are so many people rushing around all the time, and it’s noisy compared to the quietness here.