19EN103T & CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

UNIT V Local Self-Government in India

PART-A 1-MARK QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following committee recommended for Panchayati Raj System in India?
(a) Punchhi Samiti committee (b) Balwantrai Mehta Committee
(c) Singhvi Committee (d) None
Ans: (b) Balwantrai Mehta Committee

2. How many tiers are in the Panchayati Raj system of India?

(a) One tier (b) Two tier (c) Three tier (d) Four tier
Answer c. Three tier

3. Which of the following system is established on the basis of direct election?

(a) Gram Panchayat (b) Block Committee (c) Zila Parishad (d) Both b and c
Answer : (a) Gram Panchayat

4. Which of the following Article is related to Panchayati Raj?

(a) Article 243 (b) Article 324 (c) Article 124 (d) Article 73
Answer : (a) Article 243

5. What was the main purpose behind bringing Panchayati Raj system in India?
(a) To Prevent criminalization of politics (b) Development of villages
(c) Decentralisation of the political power to the general peoples
(d) To reduce election expenses
Answer (c) Decentralisation of the political power to the general peoples

6. Which schedule was added to the constitution by the 73rd Constitutional

Amendment?
(a) 6th (b) 7th (c) 9th (d) 11th
th
Answer (d) 11

7. How many posts are reserved for women at all levels in Panchayati raj system.
(a) 1/3 (b) 1/2 (c) 2/3 (d) 1/4
Answer (a) 1/3

8. Where was the first Municipal Corporation set up in India?

a. Bombay b. Calcutta c. Madras(Chennai) d. Surat
Answer : c. Madras(Chennai)

9. Panchayat Union Chairperson is elected by _____________.

a. ward members b. People c. Union president d. none
Answer : a. ward members

10. There is Village __________ in every village.

a. Board b. Taluk c. Union d. Council
Answer : d. Council

11. On which date, National Panchayati Raj Day is observed?

[A] January 28 [B] February 26 [C] March 11 [D] April 24
Answer : [D] April 24

12. How many subjects are there in Eleventh schedule which was added by the 73rd
amendment Bill (1992) enshrining powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats?
[A] 21 [B] 25 [C] 27 [D] 29
Answer : [D] 29
13. Which among the following is the basic territorial unit of Administration in India?
[A] Revenue Division [B] Tehsil [C] District [D] Village
Answer : [C] District

14. Which among the following is an apex body under Panchayati Raj?
[A] Zila parishad [B] Panchayat Samiti
[C] Mandal Parishad [D] Gramsabha
Answer : [A] Zila parishad

15. A three tier Panchayat is envisaged for states having population above __________?
[A] 10 lakhs [B] 15 lakhs [C] 20 lakhs [D] 25 lakhs
Answer : [C] 20 lakhs

PART-B 2-MARK QUESTIONS

1. What do you mean by ‘Local Self Government’?
The term “Local Government” or “Local-self government' means the government by
freely elected local bodies which are endowed with power, discretion and responsibility to be
exercised and discharged by them, without control over their decisions by any other higher
authority. Ex: Panchayat Raj in India.
2. Define metropolitan area.
A metropolitan area is a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-
populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing.
Ex: Mumbai, Chennai, etc.
3. Define Decentralisation. Why is it important in India?
When power is taken away from the Central and State governments, and given to the Local
governments, it is called decentralisation.
(i) The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems and
issues which are best settled at the local level. (ii) At the local level, it is possible for the
people to directly participate in decision, making. This helps to inculcate a habit of
democratic participation. Basically the local government is the best way to realise one
important principle of democracy, namely the Local Self-Government.
4. What is the tenure of Panchayat Samiti?
The samiti is elected for five years and is headed by a chairman and deputy chairman elected
by the members of the panchayat samiti. One sarpanch samiti supervises the other
grampanchayats. It acts as a co-ordinating body between district panchayat and
grampanchayat.
5. What is Block Samiti?
The Panchayat Samiti, also called the Block Samiti, is a council formed to represent
a block of approximately ten villages. Council members include the leadership from each
village's council, known as the Gram Panchayat, and include the chairman, or Pradhan, and
the vice-chairman, or Up-pradhan.
6. What is the importance of the Gram Sabha?
The Gram Sabha is the most important body of the Panchayati Raj System. It is responsible
for the planning out the strategies for the development of village, implementation of the
ruling provisions. It also looks after the basic amenities of village people.
7. What is the organisation of panchayati raj institution?
The three-tier system comprises the following:
i) Gram Panchayats at village level.
ii) Panchayat Samiti at block level or middle level.
iii) Zilla Parishad at district level.
In addition, a Nyaya Panchayat has been provided for every three or four village Panchayats.
8. What are the functions of the Gram Panchayat?
i) Administrative functions:
1. Public works and welfare functions like construction, repair and maintenance of village
roads, bridges, drains and wells.
2. Registration of births and deaths.
3. Providing primary education, etc.

ii)Social and economic functions: These are not obligatory.

1. Construction of guest houses, libraries, marriage halls, etc;
2. Planting of trees, parks, gardens and playgrounds for recreation;
3. Establishing fair price shops, Cooperative Credit Societies.
It also performs some judicial functions.
9. Write a short note on Nyaya Panchayat.
Nyaya Panchayat also called Panchayati Adalat is set up for every three or four Gram
Panchayats. The chief characteristics of Nyaya Panchayats are the following:
i) To ensure quick and inexpensive justice to the villagers.
ii) They can impose a fine of upto Rs. 100.
iii) They cannot award a sentence of life imprisonment.
iv) Lawyers are not allowed to appear before these Panchayats.
v) The state Government or the State Judicial Service decides the jurisdiction of these
Panchayats.
10. What are the functions of the Zilla Parishad.
1. Overseeing all round development work of the district under the Deputy Commissioner.
2. The Standing Committees having a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson holds discussions and
takes decisions.
3. The Working Committee functions as the executive body of the District Board.
4. Supervision of working of Gram Panchayats.
5. Advise the State Government on all matters relating to the Gram Panchayats and Panchayat
Samitis under their own jurisdiction.
Part-III 14Mark Questions
1. Write an essay on Constitution 73rd Amendment and Panchayati Raj in India.
The 73rd Amendment 1992 added a new Part IX to the constitution titled “The Panchayats”
covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O); and a new Eleventh Schedule covering 29
subjects within the functions of the Panchayats.
Salient Features
Gram Sabha : Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all the persons registered in the electoral
rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level. Since all
the persons registered in electoral rolls are members of Gram Sabha, there are no elected
representatives. Further, Gram Sabha is the only permanent unit in Panchayati Raj system
and not constituted for a particular period. Although it serves as foundation of the Panchayati
Raj, yet it is not among the three tiers of the same. The powers and functions of Gram Sabha
are xed by state legislature by law.
Three Tiers of Panchayati Raj
Part IX provides for a 3 tier Panchayat system, which would be constituted in every state at
the village level, intermediate level and district level. This provision brought the uniformity
in the Panchayati Raj structure in India. However, the states which were having population
below 20 Lakh were given an option to not to have the intermediate level. All the members of
these three level are elected. Further, the chairperson of panchayats at the intermediate and
district levels are indirectly elected from amongst the elected members. But at the village
level, the election of chairperson of Panchayat (Sarpanch) may be direct or indirect as
provided by the state in its own Panchayati Raj Act. Reservation in Panchayats
There is a provision of reservation of seats for SCs and STs at every level of Panchayat. The
seats are to be reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population at each level. Out of
the Reserved Seats, 1/3 rd have to be reserved for the women of the SC and ST. Out of the
total number of seats to be lled by the direct elections, 1/3 rd have to be reserved for women.
There has been an amendment bill pending that seeks to increase reservation for women to
50%. The reserved seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the
Panchayat. The State by law may also provide for reservations for the ofces of the
Chairpersons.
Duration of Panchayats
A clear term for 5 years has been provided for the Panchayats and elections must take place
before the expiry of the terms. However, the Panchayat may be dissolved earlier on specic
grounds in accordance with the state legislations. In that case the elections must take place
before expiry of 6 months of the dissolution.
Finance Commission
State Government needs to appoint a nance commission every ve years, which shall review
the nancial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendation on the following:
 The Distribution of the taxes, duties, tolls, fees etc. levied by the state which is to be
divided between the Panchayats.
 Allocation of proceeds between various tiers.
 Taxes, tolls, fees assigned to Panchayats
 Grant in aids.
This report of the Finance Commission would be laid on the table in the State legislature.
Further, the Union Finance Commission also suggests the measures needed to augment the
Consolidated Funds of States to supplement the resources of the panchayats in the states.
Powers and Functions
The state legislatures are needed to enact laws to endow powers and authority to the Panchayats to
enable them functions of local government. The 11th schedule enshrines the distribution of powers
between the State legislature and the Panchayats. Some of these 29 subjects are listed below:
1. Agriculture, including agricultural extension.
2. Land improvement, implementation of land
reforms, land consolidation and soil conservation.
3. Minor irrigation, water management and
watershed development.
4. Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry
5. Fisheries.
6. Poverty alleviation programme.
7. Education, including primary and secondary schools.
8. Technical training and vocational education.
9. Adult and non-formal education.
10. Libraries.

2. Write an essay on role of women in Panchayati Raj System.

Panchayats have been the backbone of grassroot democracy in the Indian villages since its
beginning. Gandhi had aptly favoured the panchayati raj and his dream got translated with the
passage of the Constitution (73rdAmendment) Act, 1992 (or simply the Panchayati Raj Act),
which introduced the three-tier Panchayati Raj system to ensure people’s participation in
rural reconstruction in general and that of women in particular. It came into force with effect
from April 24, 1993.
Provisions for women in the Act
 The Act provides for the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of
seats for women (including the number of seats reserved for the SCs and STs).
 Further not less than one-third of the total number of offices of chairpersons in the
Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women. This would be rotated among
different Panchayats at each level.
Role of Women in Panchayats

 Participation in election: The Act provides for the reservation of not less than one-
third of the total number of seats for women. It is an attempt to ensure greater
participation of women in election process directly and indirectly. It would be the
nursery of creating women politicians for national politics. Even the participation of
common women citizens in various activities such as attending Gram Sabha meeting,
etc. has reportedly increased (68-78 percent).
 Participation in rural development: Women are actively participating in rural
development as per their capacity right from labourers to policy- makers.
 Participation in decision-making: The participation of women as elected as well as
non-elected members are rising due to reservation for women. It acts as pull factor for
women to participate in meeting. They give their suggestions for various works and
problems faced by them.
 Agent of social revolution: Women are acting as an agent of change in the society and
raising voice against injustice and atrocities.
  Reducing corruption and violence: Due to women representatives nexus of officers
and male elected representatives are breaking, which has a direct impact on reducing
corruption. The role of local muscle power has substantially reduced due to active
participation and awareness of women about their rights and power.
 Reduction in violence against women: Domestic violence has substantially declined
due to women pradhan or surpanch. These women representatives take pro-actively
take up such violence. The victims also feel free to share their grievances to women
representatives.
 Reduction in violence against Dalits: The dominance of upper caste patriarchs are
substantially declined, hence the shackles of caste is subsiding.
 Practising participatory democracy: Growing participation of marginalised section in
general and women in particular, is transforming our democratic setup from
representative democracy to participatory democracy.
Difficulties faced by women representatives in PRS

 Political intervention in the functioning of Panchayats.

 Women act as proxies for men.
 Husband’s intervention of elected woman in her functioning.
 Lack of political awareness among the women in rural areas.
 Negative public opinion regarding women’s leadership capacity.
 Illiteracy or low standard of education among the women in rural areas is a stumbling
bloc.
 Lack of training courses especially for women representatives.
 Dominance of elected male members of the Panchayat.
 Politically motivated violence against women have seen an increase.
Suggestions for effective participation of women in Panchayati Raj System
 Political parties intervene in the election and functioning of Panchayats, creates
hostile environment for the women contestants and women representatives. The
government should take a strict action in such an intervention of political parties and
elections should be conducted free and fair.
 In rural areas political awareness among the women is negligible. It is the duty of the
state government and local administration to educate the women about the political
issues and create awareness among them.
 Special training and refresher courses for women representatives should be conducted
from time-to-time. It gives them confidence and creates political awareness and
power.
 Government should make special provisions for the women representatives and give
them more powers as compared to male counterparts and educate them about their
powers. It helps them to work efficiently and effectively.
 There should be a provision to give honour and financial rewards to the women
members for their exemplary works.
 The rotation term of reserved seats should be made after every atleast 10years. It
would help women representatives to fix their feet in the panchayats.
Conclusion

 With the establishment of PRIs in our country a woman gets an opportunity to prove
her worth as a good administrator, decision-maker or a good leader. The 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 is a milestone in this regard. It provides women
a chance to come forward.
 This experiment is proving to be a big success particularly by providing opportunity
to women to come out of their houses and participate in administrative and political
field.
 However, in many areas of our country this system has been captured by some elite
people. The government should provide extra financial, administrative or political
assistance to women for the success of the provision of the Amendment.
  Government should encourage research and development in effective implementation of provisions of
73rd amendment.

We must remember that empowerment as a process is slow but self-perpetuating. Providing women with
opportunities and support systems (such as reservations & other affirmative action) has the potential to
put into motion a sustainable process for a change in gendered power relations allowing them to slowly
but steadily break the shackles of existing boundaries.