Civics Notes Chapter 3 Rural Local Government Bodies Class 6 Maharashtra Board

1. What is Local Government?

1. India has three levels of government:

1. Union Government – Works for the whole country.
2. State Government – Works for each state.
3. Local Government – Works in villages and cities.

2. Local government bodies help manage daily affairs of villages and towns.

They are divided into:

• Rural Local Government – Works for villages.
• Urban Local Government – Works for cities and towns.

2. Types of Rural Local Government Bodies

There are three types of rural local government bodies:

1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level)
2. Panchayat Samiti (Taluka Level)
3. Zilla Parishad (District Level)

Each has a specific role in managing villages and ensuring development.

3. Gram Panchayat (Village Government)

• A Gram Panchayat looks after a village or group of villages.
• It is made up of elected members from the village.
• The head of the Gram Panchayat is called the Sarpanch.
• A Gram Sevak is the secretary who manages its daily work.

Functions of Gram Panchayat:

1. Providing clean drinking water and sanitation.
2. Maintaining village roads, streetlights, and public places.
3. Registering births, deaths, and marriages.
4. Developing education and healthcare facilities.
5. Solving disputes among villagers.

Sources of Income for Gram Panchayat:

• Taxes (house tax, water tax, market tax).
• Government grants (money from the state or Zilla Parishad).
• Donations and local funds.

4. Gram Sabha (Village Assembly)

• A Gram Sabha is a meeting of all voters in a village.
• It must meet at least six times in a year.
• The Gram Panchayat takes permission from the Gram Sabha for new plans and budgets.
• The Gram Sabha checks the work of the Gram Panchayat.

5. Panchayat Samiti (Taluka Level Government)

• The Panchayat Samiti manages all Gram Panchayats in a taluka.
• It works as a link between Gram Panchayats and the Zilla Parishad.
• It is led by a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman.

Functions of Panchayat Samiti:

1. Planning and managing schemes for health, education, and roads.
2. Helping Gram Panchayats solve problems and conflicts.
3. Checking if government money is used properly in villages.

6. Zilla Parishad (District Level Government)

• The Zilla Parishad is the highest rural government body in a district.
• It works under the State Government.
• It is led by a President and Vice-President.
• A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed by the government to manage daily work.

Functions of Zilla Parishad:

1. Planning development projects for the district.
2. Managing schools, hospitals, and public services.
3. Helping Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats with funds and guidance.
4. Ensuring law and order in villages.

7. Elections in Rural Local Government

Elections are held every five years for all rural local bodies.

Candidates must be:

1. An Indian citizen.
2. 21 years old or above.
3. A registered voter in the village.

People vote to choose their leaders for Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad.

8. Importance of Rural Local Government

• Helps in solving village problems quickly.
• Ensures development and better living conditions in villages.
• Provides education, healthcare, and infrastructure for rural areas.
• Strengthens democracy by allowing people to participate in decision-making.