Panchayati Raj Flashcards
What is the basic role of a goverment?
To take care of the requirements of a society
What is local self-government?
Local self-government is a system where the problems of a local community are managed by people belonging to that community through the proper use of local resources
Define Panchayati Raj
Panchayati Raj is a system of local government that takes care of the requirements of the rural population and implements policies for them
What law related to the Panchayati Raj came into effect on 24 April 1993
On 24 April 1993, a law came into effect which made it compulsory for states with a population of more than 20 lakhs to have a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj.
Explain the levels of the Panchayati Raj system. (3 marks)
A system of local democracy was created at 3 levels. These are at -
* the village level (Gram Panchayat)
* the block level (Panchayat Samiti) consisting of 10-20 gram panchayats.
* the district level (Zilla Parishad) consisting of 4-10 blocks
Define “ward”
Each village panchayat is divided into smaller units called wards.
Explain the composition/structure of the Gram Panchayat
The Gram Sabha: The general body - all adults of the village belong - members elect a representative (panch) from each ward
The Gram Panchayat: Small community made of the panchs - number of members differs from state to state - headed by sarpanch (also known as pradhan or panchayat president) - elected by Gram Sabha members - seats reserved for SC, STs - 33 to 50% of seats reserved for women
The Nyaya Panchayat: Village court - provides speedy, inexpensive justice to villagers - more than one village under its control - deal with minor cases like petty theft - only have the power to impose fine - cannot send an offender to jail
Who elects the members of the Panchayat Samiti?
The sarpanches of all the villages of a block elect the members of the Panchayat Samiti
Who is the block chairman (block pramukh)? (3 marks)
Members of a Block Samiti elect a block chairman or block pramukh. The members have the right to remove the pramukh if they are dissatisfied with him/her. The Block Samiti is elected for a term of 5 years.
Who is the BDO? (1 mark)
The block development officer (BDO) appointed by the state government is the secretary of the samiti and takes care of its administration.
Explain the composition of the Zilla Parishad
All presidents of the Block Samitis in a district are Zilla Parishad members.
Members of the State Legislature, members of Parliament, chairpersons of Municipal Boards and mayors of corporations from the district, are also Zilla Parishad members.
Seats are reserved for representatives of ST, SCs. One-third to 50% of seats are reserved for women.
Why is Panchayati Raj essential?
Panchayati Raj is best suited for the development and administration of people in rural areas
Local governments understand the needs, requirements and problems of the people better than people in the central or state governments would. This helps them find more effective solutions to local issues such as sanitation, water supply, electricity supply and public road maintenance and other facilities that are best managed at the local level
The system gives villagers a chance to actually participate in decision-making. It teaches the youth at the grass-root levels about the workings of a democracy and trains them to be future leaders
Social and economic justice can be best achieved if local people are part of the governing body
The villagers learn to cooperate and work together to solve their problems
Thus, the Panchayati Raj system, if properly implemented, ensures that each citizen has a voice in running the nation
