services that provid
amenities a domrart
convenience or pleasure '
custom habit or usage collectively
Panchayati Raj°
Immunisation « to keep protected from a disease or the
like, as by inoculation
the income of a government from taxation
revenue
The word ‘panchayat’ comes from the word
‘Panch’, which literally means ‘a group of five
people’. Panchayati Raj is an ancient concept
which provides a system of local self
governance, It is deep-rooted in the society and
the custom of rural India. Since very early times, it
has been responsible for resolving problems
related to water, sanitation, irrigation and eve
settling disputes between people. [During ee)
ih
British rule, Ais institution fell apart as the Britis!
government did not trust the locals.
British government appointed their own officials
who did not look into people's welfare. They
exploited the innocent villagers. As a result,
people lost faith in the Panchayats.
PANCHAYATI RAJ Te }
After India became ind Ae anchayats
became important again.[Ours is a democratic
country, where people participate and havea role
inthe government.
The Panchayati Raj Institutions were granted
legal status through the 73rd Amendment Act,
1992, thus seeking to turn Mahatma Gandhi}
vision of Gram Swaraj into a ral in is
‘oughen the base of Indian democracy by i
Ge rkesaers =
lure Of The Panchayati Raj
Ue Panchayati Raj works at three levels—the
Gram Panchayat at the village level, the Block
Samiti at the block level and the Zila Parishad at
the district level
ultiple Choice Questions
Tick (v) the correct options.
1. 'Panch’ means a group of .
(a) five VT tb) six
(c) seven
2. The Panchayati Raj institution was granted
legal status through the
(a) 72nd Amendment Act, 1993
(b) 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
(co) 74th Amendment Act, 1994
. people.
OW
Panchayat At Village Level
Village Panchayat comprises the Gram Sabha,
Gram Panchayat and the Nyaya Panchayat.
Gram Sabha: Gram Sabha is a body of residentscS
living in the area covered by the Panchayat] All
people who are 18 years of age or above and who
have the right to vote are members of the Gram
Sabha.\Itmay include one or more villages.
[Ietects representatives to Gram Panchayat{Gram
Sabha reviews the work done by Gram Pamichayat
and goes through its accounts.
Gram Sabha also has the power to remove a non-
performing member.
Gram Sabha
FORMATION OF THE GRAM
PANCHAYAT — A STORY
One hot afternoon, there was a knock at Harilal's
door. Munni, Harilal’s daughter, opened the
door.
The village Patwari (officer) stood there. Coming
in, he told Harilal that the Village Panchayat
elections were to be held in a couple of months.
So, the voter lists were being updated. He began
toask about the people who lived in the house.
Voter List
Munni had heard that there was something
called a Village Panchayat. She wanted to know
moreaboutit.
'Patwari uncle, why do you want to
note their names and ages?"
“The Village Panchayat elections are
to be held soon. So, Uhave to make a
list of the names of all the people who
will be casting their Votes for our
panchayat. This list is called the voterlist,"
ies
"Okay, write my name first. 1, jo,
shall vote.”
"No, Munni, you cannot vote as
Only those above the age of 18 ye
ats
can cast their votes. Now, tell me the
names of all the members of your
family, whoare over 18 years of age.”
Munni was disappointed but she went on
"You know Bapu’s name and age. My
mother's name is Kamla Devi. She
must be about 40 years old. Then there
is my elder sister Vimla who is
married and staysin Ganganagar."
But the Patwari refused to write Vimla'sname.
"The voter list of our Village
2 Panchayat can have the names of only
those who live here."
The Area Of The Village Panchayat
Many questions about the Village Panchayat
came to Munni’s mind even as she recited the
names of her family members to the Patwari.So,
before he could get up to leave, she asked him
"Does every villagehaveaGram Panchayat?"
“A Gram Panchayat is set up wherever thereisa
population of at least 1,000 people," replied the
Patwari.
"What about smaller villages with a population
of just 300-400 people?"
"Small villages are usually clubbed with larget
villages," said the Patwari. "So, a Village
Panchayat generally functions for about two to
fourvillages."
Panchs And Wards
"Patwari uncle, I have heard about the Panchs-
Whoare they?" asked Munni.
"Bach Village Panchayat has 10 to 20 Panchs
They are ward representatives.”
Munniasked, "Whatisa ward?"
The Patwari answered, "A Gram Panchayats
divided into smaller units. These are callstaying in each
ward elect their own Panch. Anyone wis} ing t
y 1ing to
pecome a Panch can contest the clectio,
Gram Panchayat from the village.
the ward cast their votes in favo
Ns to the
The people of
of the Person
they want. Whoever gets the largest number of
yotes from a ward is elected as the Panch of that
ward. "What is the function of these
Munni asked. "They oversee the fur
civic amenities in the village,
Panchs?"
tioning of
which includes
roads, sanitation, water, etc. The Panch of that
ward or mohalla is supposed to inform the
Panchayat. The Panchayat then tries to repair or
provide these facilities."
"Does an elected person remain the Panch of
that ward forever?” was Munni'snext question,
"No. Village Panchayat elections are held after
every five years and new Panchs can be elected
every time," replied the Patwari.
Gram Panchayat
"Oh! It's getting late!" exclaimed the Patwari,
looking at his watch. "I must be going. Ihave to
complete the voter list of our village today."
Gram Panchayat: The Gram Panchayat
comprises ward members or Panch, Sarpanch,
Up-pradhan and a Secretary. The Gram Sabha
clects the Panchas and Sarpanch or Pradhan. The
Sarpanch coordinates the activities of the
chayat and is responsible for holding meetings
t regular intervals. The Up-pradhan presides
over meetings in the absence of the Sarpanch. The
Secretary is not an elected member but appointed
by the Bovernment. He/She is the secretary of both
the Gram Sabha and the G
t 3ram Panchayat. He/She
'S Supposed to call the meetings and maintain a
detailed record of the proceedings.
The Gram Panchayat is divided into wards
(divided into smaller areas for administrative
Purpose) and each ward chooses a representative
Known as Ward Member or Panch. At least one-
tenth members should be present at the meetings
and one-third of the gathering should be women
members. This plays a key role in making the
Gram Panchayat responsible for the
implementation of socio-economic development
programmes,
[The primary 8 ee is toimplement
various Community Development Programmes
started by the government and fulfil the basic
needs of the villages.
Functions
© construction and maintenance of roads,
irrigation systems, water sources like tanks,
wells and hand pumps, street lighting,
drainage and parks
© promotion and development of agriculture,
sanitation system, education and healthcare
© carrying out government schemes related to
employment generation, primary education,
immunisation programmes and establishing
dispensaries
© organising health camps, sports and cultural
programmes
Source Of Income
Gram Panchayats get funds from taxes on houses,
shops and fairs, fees on sale and purchase of
property and cattle, and grants from the state
government received through Janpad and Zila
Panchayats. ;
Nyaya Panchayat:|The Nyaya Panchayat is the
village court, whose purpose is to settle minor
rows and provide speedy justice. There isnormally one Nyaya Panchayat for four to five
villages.|Gram Panchayat elects its members. It
has thé authority to impose fine up to 250, but it
cannot sentence anyone tojail.
PANCHAYAT AT BLOCK LEVEL
At the block level, the Panchayati Raj Institution is
known as Block Samiti, Janpad Panchayat or
Panchayat Samiti. It acts as a link between the
Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad. The people of
the block, elect members of Block Samiti for a term
of five years. The members elect a Pramukh or
Chairperson and an Up-pramukh or Vice-
chairperson. The Pramukh is responsible for daily
affairs of the Samiti.
Block Samiti
Besides elected members, it includes Sarpanch of
all Gram Panchayats, members of the State
Legislature and members of the Parliament,
elected from that area. The Block Development
Officer (BDO), a government representative, is
responsible for implementing all policies
related to the developmentof the block.
Functions >>
[giving expert knowledge in the field of
(i) agriculture, animal hysbandry, veterinary
medicine, healthcare \and setting up rural
industries through specialists known as
Extension Officers
Jarranging for better primary education and
i) opening more night schools for adults,
shelters for theneedy and homeless]
Uw ‘|
e [developing and maintaining sewe,
system, and ensuring good drinking 4,
forall
Source of Income
The Block Samiti’s sources of income inclu
taxes from houses, water, electricity, land an)
cattle, revenue from leasing out Samiti land ang
lastly, funding and aid given by the stay
government.
PANCHAYAT AT DISTRICT LEVEL /¢ 5
At the district level the Zila Parishad is thé apex
body of this institution of Panchayati Raj, It looks
after the developmental needs of the whole district |
‘The Zila Parishad comprises the President and
Vice-President chosen by the members amongst
themselves. Besides, heads of Block Samitis,
members of State Legislatures and members of
Parliament are all ex-officio members (become
members because of the post they hold) of Zila
Parishad. A government representative of the rank
of District Magistrate ensures proper functioning
of the Panchayati system.
Functions (C 3)
[Supervi ing-and supporting the activities of
the Block Samiti and Gram Panchayats |
[implementing projects initiated under Five-
Year PlansJand advising the state government
on matters relating to the development of the
district
© monitoring and updating the state
government about various Community
Development Programmes running in the
district
¢ [examining the accounts of Block Samiti and
allocating mens funds for various
programmes
Source Of Income
Their main source of income is aid allocated by
the government. Besides, they too levy tax 0"
water, electricity, markets, fairs and lease out
houses and shops to generate revenue.ultipl
” the correct options,
ick
j, atthe block level, the Panchayati Raj
institution is known as
(a) Janpad Panchayat
(o) Nyaya Panchayat
(o) Gram Sabha
OO
lock Samiti's sources of income includes
fa) taxes from houses, water, electricity,
Jand and cattle
(b) revenue from leasing out Samiti land
0U
(c) both (a) and (b)
STATE GOVERNMENTS AND THE
PANCHAYATI RAJ
The Constitution of India makes the state
governments responsible for a proper
implementation of the Panchayati Raj system, so
that the local problems related to civic amenities
arelooked into and resolved.
SS
a a»)
hoice Questions (Quic —
ecie? (Quick Revision) \ The role ofiicaate government includes:
formulation of rules and regulations for the
institutions of Panchayati Raj
using its power to dissolve the Panchayats
which are not functioning properly
* coordinating with the Zila Parishad to chalk
out plans that are beneficial for overall growth
of the district
© recruiting technical and executive staff at the
district and block level |
© providing grants-in-aid to carry out various
welfare programmes along with keeping a
check on the accounts of the Panchayats
Thus, the institution of local self-government was
reorganised after independence to strengthen
democracy, make the people more self-reliant and
to encourage participation in the affairs of the
government. This institution helps in generating,
awareness as well as develops leadership
qualities. In a diverse country like ours, effective
implementation of the system will ensure rapid
developmentinall spheres.
Use Cordova Smart Cass Software on the smart
: board in class to do these exercises.)
‘. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)— Tick (v/) the correct options.
1. Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayatand Nyaya Panchayat form
(b) Zila Parishad
(@) BlockSamit
al
(©) Village Panchayat [|
233)(a) residents living in the area covered by the Panchayat
lage whose names appear in the voter list
2. Gram Sabha isa body of
|
(b) people of 18 years of age or above in the vill
(©) both(a)and (b)
B, Identify which institution of Panchayati Raj system performs this function.
hh
OH ne !
ve-Year Plan.Z2ALa.
2A, f.
1. maintains street lights and parks
. resolves disputes of the people
. implements welfare projec
health camps...xx0.0%0.
Sen
|. organises
5. constructs shelters for the poor and homel
C. Write (T) for true and (F) for false statements.
1, Panchayati Raj or rule of the Panchayat is a modern concept. &
2. The Nyaya Panchayat is the village court. a
3. ‘TheSecretary is common to both Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. &
4. Zila Parishad implements projects initiated under Five-Year Plans and advises the state >)
government on matters relating to the development of the district.
‘Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) — Tick (7) the correct options.
1. The Panchayati Raj worksat
(a) twolevels
(b) three levels Mi
(©) fourlevels is]
2. Which of the following sentence is true about the Sarpanch? :
(a) Sarpanch coordinates the activities of the Panchayat. CO
(b) TheGram Sabhaelects the Sarpanch, O
(©) Allofthese Ww
Short Answer Questions
1. Why did the Panchayats become unpopular during the British Rule? q- 229
2. Givetworeasonsthatshow the importance of rd Amendment Act, 1992, “P2,-22°
3. Whichare the three levels of Panchayati Raj?'P3 - 22.9
4.