The Story of Indian Democracy
Short Questions with answers
1. What is the Indian Constitution based on?
Answer : It is based on norms of social justice and equality.
2. What is the role of the Supreme Court in India?
Answer : It is the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.
3. What does Article 21 of the Constitution guarantee?
Answer : It guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
4. What did the 73rd Amendment introduce?
Answer : It introduced Panchayati Raj as a system of grassroots democracy.
5. What is Panchayati Raj?
Answer : Governance at the village level through local self-government.
6. What is the Gram Sabha?
Answer : The Gram Sabha is the general body of villagers responsible for electing local governments.
7. What reservation does the 73rd Amendment provide?
Answer : It reserves one-third of seats for women in local bodies.
8. What are Nyaya Panchayats?
Answer : They are village courts that handle petty disputes and minor cases.
9. What is the main income source for Panchayats?
Answer : Taxes on property, animals, and land, along with government grants.
10. What is the significance of the Directive Principles of State Policy?
Answer : They guide the government in ensuring social and economic justice.
11. Who argued for gram-swarajya?
Answer : Mahatma Gandhi.
12. What is the role of Van Panchayats in Uttarakhand?
Answer : They manage forests and promote reforestation.
13. What is a pressure group?
Answer : An organized group aiming to influence government policies.
14. What is an interest group?
Answer : A group pursuing specific interests through lobbying and advocacy.
15. What are the three levels in the Panchayati Raj system?
Answer : Gram Panchayat, Block Samiti, and Zilla Parishad.
16. What does the term ‘social justice’ emphasize?
Answer : Fairness in the distribution of resources and opportunities.
17. What are the responsibilities of Panchayats?
Answer : Economic development, social justice, and implementing welfare schemes.
18. What are caste Panchayats?
Answer : Traditional bodies representing dominant caste groups in villages.
19. What was the role of Dr. Ambedkar in rural governance?
Answer : He highlighted the risks of local elites exploiting self-governance.
20. What is the significance of the Chipko movement?
Answer : It was a grassroots environmental movement in Uttarakhand.
21. What is the role of political parties in democracy?
Answer : They represent public interests and seek to achieve power through elections.
22. What is the 74th Amendment Act?
Answer : It strengthened urban local governance.
23. What are the Directive Principles on Equal Pay?
Answer : They ensure equality in pay for equal work.
24. What do Nyaya Panchayats lack the power to do?
Answer : They cannot impose imprisonment.
25. What are the sources of Panchayat funding?
Answer : Taxes, land cess, and government grants.
26. What is the Gram Sabha’s primary function?
Answer : To discuss and approve development plans.
27. Why was the 73rd Amendment significant for women?
Answer : It ensured reservation for women in local governance.
28. What did Mahila Samakhya use for Panchayat training?
Answer : They used traditional storytelling and folk music.
29. What is a political party?
Answer : An organization aiming to achieve power and implement policies.
30. What is democratisation?
Answer : The process of making governance inclusive and participatory.
Medium Questions with answers
1. How does the Constitution promote social justice?
Answer : The Constitution ensures equality and fairness through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. It provides a framework for laws that reduce discrimination and inequality. Courts have expanded these rights to include health, education, and dignity.
2. What are the powers of Panchayats?
Answer : Panchayats prepare plans for development, levy taxes, and promote welfare schemes. They oversee rural development activities like building roads, schools, and irrigation systems. Their responsibilities include family planning, health centers, and agricultural improvements.
3. What was the impact of the 73rd Amendment?
Answer : It provided constitutional status to Panchayati Raj, ensuring regular elections and reservations for women and marginalized groups. It empowered Gram Sabhas to manage local resources and development. This amendment was a milestone in grassroots democracy.
4. What role do Van Panchayats play in Uttarakhand?
Answer : Van Panchayats manage forests, develop nurseries, and prevent illegal logging. They promote community involvement in reforestation and sustainable practices. These initiatives help address deforestation and resource scarcity in hilly regions.
5. What are the three levels of Panchayati Raj?
Answer : Panchayati Raj consists of the Gram Panchayat at the village level, Block Samiti at the intermediate level, and Zilla Parishad at the district level. These tiers work together to ensure development and governance. They promote democracy at all levels.
6. What is the significance of the Gram Sabha?
Answer : The Gram Sabha acts as a forum for villagers to discuss development plans and hold local governments accountable. It ensures the inclusion of marginalized groups in decision-making. This body strengthens democracy at the grassroots.
7. How do caste Panchayats differ from elected Panchayats?
Answer : Caste Panchayats are traditional bodies representing dominant groups, often promoting conservative views. Elected Panchayats, on the other hand, are constitutional bodies ensuring inclusivity and representation. They focus on democratic governance and development.
8. What is the role of pressure groups in democracy?
Answer : Pressure groups lobby the government to influence policies and represent specific interests. They use methods like protests, meetings, and public campaigns to achieve their goals. These groups play a vital role in making democracy participatory.
9. How did the 73rd Amendment empower women?
Answer : The amendment reserved one-third of seats in local bodies for women, including Scheduled Castes and Tribes. This brought women into political processes and decision-making roles. It was a significant step toward gender equality in governance.
10. What is the importance of the Directive Principles?
Answer : Directive Principles guide the government in promoting welfare and social justice. They aim to reduce inequalities and ensure dignity for all citizens. While not enforceable by law, they influence policymaking significantly.
11. How do Panchayats ensure financial transparency?
Answer : Panchayats display financial details, including funds received and utilized, outside their offices. This practice allows villagers to monitor development spending. Transparency fosters accountability and trust in governance.
12. What are the criticisms of traditional tribal institutions?
Answer : Traditional tribal institutions are often undemocratic and exclude women. Social changes have distorted their original egalitarian structures. Policymakers must balance preserving traditions with ensuring inclusivity.
Long Questions with answers
1. How has the Supreme Court expanded Fundamental Rights?
Answer : The Supreme Court has interpreted rights like Article 21 to include health, education, and shelter. It has ruled on equal pay, environmental protection, and the right to information. These interpretations have made rights more inclusive and relevant. The judiciary plays a key role in ensuring justice and equality.
2. What are the challenges of democratisation in rural India?
Answer : Rural India faces inequalities based on caste, class, and gender, hindering participation in governance. Rich landlords or dominant groups often control Gram Sabhas, sidelining marginalized communities. Awareness campaigns and reservations help address these issues. Democratisation requires continuous efforts to ensure inclusivity.
3. How does Panchayati Raj promote grassroots democracy?
Answer : Panchayati Raj empowers villagers to elect local governments and participate in development. It decentralizes governance, giving decision-making powers to the grassroots. Reservations for women and marginalized groups ensure representation. This system strengthens democracy and accountability.
4. What are the responsibilities of Panchayats in rural development?
Answer : Panchayats construct roads, schools, and public buildings and manage water and sanitation projects. They implement government schemes like IRDP and ICDS. They maintain records of births and deaths and promote family planning. Their work directly impacts rural livelihoods and infrastructure.
5. How do Van Panchayats address deforestation issues?
Answer : Van Panchayats promote reforestation by planting and nurturing tree saplings. They manage forests sustainably and prevent illegal logging. These efforts reduce resource scarcity and support environmental conservation. They are vital in preserving the ecology of hilly regions.
6. What is the role of women in Panchayati Raj institutions?
Answer : Women reserved one-third of seats participate actively in governance and development. They bring new perspectives and address issues like health, education, and domestic violence. Their inclusion challenges traditional gender roles. This empowerment fosters social and political equality.
7. What is the significance of the Chipko movement?
Answer : The Chipko movement was an environmental campaign in Uttarakhand where women protected trees from logging. It highlighted grassroots activism and sustainable development. This movement inspired similar efforts worldwide. It remains a symbol of community-based environmental conservation.
8. How do political parties differ from pressure groups?
Answer : Political parties aim to achieve power and implement policies, while pressure groups influence existing policies without seeking power. Both play crucial roles in democracy but function differently. Pressure groups highlight specific issues, while parties represent broader societal interests. This distinction strengthens the democratic framework.
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