Class 6 Social Science Notes Chapter 11 Exploring Society India and Beyond

Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas

1. Introduction:

• Real India Lives in Villages: Mahatma Gandhi emphasized the importance of rural India, as a majority of the population lives in villages.
• Rural and Urban Demographics:
  • India has approximately 600,000 villages, 8,000 towns, and over 4,000 cities.
  • The population has crossed 1.4 billion, with nearly two-thirds living in rural areas.

2. Challenges in Governing a Complex Society:

• Governing such a large and diverse country requires an effective system.
• Local governance is critical to address the day-to-day needs of the rural population.
• Example of Lakshmanpur:
  • A small village with 200 houses and a population of about 700, where the majority are farmers.
  • Issues such as water supply, road repairs, and maintenance of the primary school need attention.
  • Disputes over land or stolen crops are common concerns.
  • Running to the state or national capital for every small issue is impractical, necessitating a local solution.

Panchayati Raj System – Local Governance:

• Definition: Panchayati Raj refers to a system of self-governance at the village level.
• Panchayat (Village Council):
  • It brings governance closer to the people, allowing them to participate in decision-making.
  • The system empowers villagers to solve their own problems and manage local resources efficiently.
  • It addresses local issues and promotes development by ensuring that government schemes reach the grassroots level.

Three-Tier System:

• The Panchayati Raj system operates at three levels:
  1. Village Level: Basic unit of governance, where local issues are addressed.
  2. Block Level: A group of villages form a block, addressing larger issues that span multiple villages.
  3. District Level: The top tier, where policies affecting the entire district are implemented.
• This system covers almost every aspect of rural life, including:
  • Agriculture
  • Housing
  • Road Maintenance
  • Water Resource Management
  • Education
  • Health Care
  • Social Welfare
  • Cultural Activities

Role of Panchayati Raj:

• Promotes Development: Ensures that local development projects meet the actual needs of villagers.
• Decision Making: Provides a platform for villagers to make decisions that affect their daily lives.
• Resource Management: Helps manage local resources like water and land more effectively.
• Dispute Resolution: Panchayats resolve disputes at the village level, avoiding the need to go to higher authorities.

Gram Panchayat

1. The Foundation of Local Governance:

• The Gram Panchayat is the most basic level of governance in rural areas, directly connected to the people.
• Members of Gram Panchayat:
  • Members are elected by the Gram Sabha, which consists of adult voters from a village or a group of nearby villages.
  • In the Gram Sabha, both men and women participate and discuss issues related to the village. They make decisions on matters like development, infrastructure, and social welfare.
• Sarpanch/Pradhan:
  • Each Gram Panchayat elects a head, known as the Sarpanch (or Pradhan). The Sarpanch leads the Panchayat and represents the village in decision-making.
  • In recent years, a growing number of women have been elected as Sarpanchs, reflecting the increasing participation of women in local governance.

2. Role of Gram Panchayat:

• Local Decision-Making: The Gram Panchayat handles issues directly impacting the daily lives of villagers, such as water supply, sanitation, education, and infrastructure.
• Inclusion of Women: Women’s participation in Gram Sabha meetings is encouraged, and many women are becoming more involved in local governance, highlighting their leadership role in transforming rural areas.

3. Exemplary Sarpanchs:

• Dnyaneshwar Kamble (Sarpanch of Tarangfal, Maharashtra, 2017):
  • A transgender person who was elected Sarpanch with a commitment to lok seva, gram seva (‘service to the village is service to the public’).
  • Kamble’s election signifies the increasing inclusivity in rural governance, defeating six other candidates to take on the leadership role.
• Vandana Bahadur Maida (Sarpanch of Khankhandvi, Madhya Pradesh):
  • A member of the Bhil community, Vandana became the first female Sarpanch of her village, challenging patriarchal norms.
  • She convinced other women to participate in Gram Sabha meetings and addressed crucial issues like education and sanitation.
  • Vandana’s leadership is a model of how women can drive social and developmental change in rural areas.
• Popatrao Baguji Pawar (Sarpanch of Hiware Bazar, Maharashtra):
  • Hiware Bazar was affected by frequent droughts and poor agricultural yield.
  • After becoming Sarpanch, Popatrao implemented rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation, and massive tree planting efforts, inspired by Anna Hazare’s model.
  • Under his leadership, the village became green and prosperous, earning him the Padma Shri award in 2020.

4. Administrative Support for Gram Panchayat:

• Panchayat Secretary:
  • The Panchayat Secretary assists the Gram Panchayat by performing essential administrative tasks such as organizing meetings and keeping records.
• Patwari:
  • In many parts of India, a Patwari assists the Gram Panchayat by maintaining land records for the villagers.
  • In some cases, the Patwari keeps maps that are generations old, preserving historical land information and ensuring accurate land ownership records.

Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative

1. Introduction to the Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative:

• Panchayats are designed to listen to all members of the community, including children.
• The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative ensures that children have a platform to express their ideas, opinions, and concerns, particularly related to their well-being.
• States across India are encouraging children’s participation through Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats, where village elders work to address the concerns raised by children.

2. Bal Panchayat Efforts in Maharashtra:

• In Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats have been successful in addressing critical issues such as:
  • Elimination of Child Labour: Efforts have been made to eliminate child labour, ensuring that children are not exploited for work.
  • Eradication of Child Marriage: These Panchayats actively work to stop child marriages, particularly for young girls.
  • Bringing Children Back to School: Bal Panchayat members have convinced parents to prioritize education over early marriage or labour, bringing many children back to school.

3. Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat, Sikkim:

• The Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat in West Sikkim has taken several initiatives to ensure children’s rights and needs are met, including:
  • Construction of Compound Walls for Schools: This measure ensures the safety of children while they are at school.
  • Construction of School Kitchens: The Panchayat built kitchens in schools to provide hygienically cooked midday meals for students.
• For these efforts, the Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat has been recognized as a child-friendly Panchayat.

4. Children’s Parliament in Rajasthan:

• The Children’s Parliament is an initiative inspired by Bunker Roy’s ‘Barefoot College’ and started a few decades ago in Rajasthan. This initiative focuses on empowering underprivileged children through education and democratic participation.
• Key features of the Children’s Parliament:
  • Age Group: Children aged 8 to 14 participate in governance processes, learning about democracy, social responsibility, and leadership.
  • Night Schools and Elections: The children are educated in night schools and participate in formal elections, complete with voter ID cards and campaigning.
  • Formation of a ‘Cabinet’: Elected representatives form a Cabinet, overseeing school management and advocating for the needs of the community.
  • Key Achievements:
    • Addressing issues of access to education, improving sanitation, and promoting social equality.
    • Children actively contribute to community development by challenging societal norms and advocating for change.
• The initiative received global recognition, including the World’s Children’s Honorary Award in 2001.

5. Awards and Recognition:

• Several Gram Panchayats across India have received awards for taking child-friendly initiatives that focus on children’s rights, safety, and development.
• These initiatives have helped integrate children’s voices into governance processes, making local governments more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all members of society.

Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad

1. Introduction to Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad:

• Panchayat Samiti operates at the block level, and Zila Parishad functions at the district level, both being higher-level institutions compared to the village Gram Panchayat.
• These institutions are key to linking the local governance at the village level with the larger district governance.
• The Panchayat Samiti acts as a bridge between the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad.

2. Election and Composition:

• The members of both the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are elected by the local people.
• Additional members include:
  • Sarpanchs of villages within the area.
  • Local members of the State Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
• The composition and functions of Panchayat Samitis differ from state to state, but their core role of strengthening local participation remains consistent across regions.

3. Functions and Responsibilities:

• Coordination of Development Plans: Panchayat Samiti coordinates the development plans from various Gram Panchayats, consolidating them for presentation at the district and state levels.
• Allotment of Funds: This coordination is essential for securing funds for development projects and government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which focuses on constructing all-weather roads in rural areas.
• Strengthening Rural Governance: These institutions facilitate local participation in governance, ensuring that the voices of rural populations are heard and incorporated into regional development strategies.

4. Special Provisions:

• Inclusion of Disadvantaged Sections: Special provisions are in place to ensure that marginalized and disadvantaged sections of society can express their needs and concerns.
• Reservation for Women: One-third of the seats in these institutions are reserved for women, ensuring gender inclusion and representation in local governance.

5. Variation Across States:

• While the basic structure and objectives of the Panchayati Raj system are uniform, there are slight differences in the structure and functions across different states, due to the authority that states have over these institutions.
• Objective: The primary aim across all states remains the same — to enable villagers to actively participate in the management and development of their villages and local areas.

6. Historical Context – Arthaśhāstra:

• The Arthaśhāstra, written by Kauṭilya (Chanakya) around 2,300 years ago, also described a structured system of governance.
• According to the text:
  • Sangrahaṇa: A sub-district headquarters for every 10 villages.
  • Kārvaṭika: A district headquarters for every 100 villages.
  • Droṇamukha: For every 400 villages.
  • Sthānīya: Provincial headquarters for every 800 villages.
• This ancient administrative structure resembles the modern-day three-tier Panchayati Raj system, demonstrating the continuity of governance principles.

7. Key Takeaways Before Moving On:

• Three-Tier System: Local government in rural areas is organized into a three-tier system (village, block, and district).
• Democratic Participation: Democracy in the Panchayati Raj system functions through both direct participation of people (Gram Sabha) and through their elected representatives (Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad).
• Self-Governance: The Panchayati Raj institutions provide rural communities with a measure of self-governance, allowing them to manage their own affairs and collaborate on development plans for their regions.