Chapter 11 – Grassroots Democracy (Part 2)

Local Government in Rural Areas

 PART – I : MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)

(30 MCQs with Answers)

1. The Panchayati Raj system is mainly found in:

a) Urban areas
b) Rural areas
c) Industrial areas
d) Ports
Answer: b

2. The basic unit of democracy in a village is the:

a) Zila Parishad
b) Panchayat Samiti
c) Gram Panchayat
d) Parliament
Answer: c

3. Members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by:

a) MLA
b) Gram Sabha
c) Governor
d) Panchayat Samiti
Answer: b

4. The head of a Gram Panchayat is called:

a) Commissioner
b) Sarpanch
c) Collector
d) Mayor
Answer: b

5. Panchayati Raj is a:

a) One-tier system
b) Two-tier system
c) Three-tier system
d) Four-tier system
Answer: c

6. Which of the following is the lowest level of Panchayati Raj?

a) Zila Parishad
b) Panchayat Samiti
c) Gram Panchayat
d) Block Development Council
Answer: c

7. The intermediate level in the Panchayati Raj system is:

a) Municipality
b) Panchayat Samiti
c) Gram Sabha
d) Assembly
Answer: b

8. The district-level body is known as:

a) Zila Parishad
b) Block Panchayat
c) Gram Sabha
d) Nagar Parishad
Answer: a

9. Who maintains land records in the village?

a) Sarpanch
b) Patwari
c) Collector
d) Tehsildar
Answer: b

10. The Panchayat Secretary is responsible for:

a) Teaching children
b) Medical services
c) Record keeping & meetings
d) Policing
Answer: c

11. Which scheme focuses on rural road construction?

a) Midday Meal
b) PM Gram Sadak Yojana
c) Ayushman Bharat
d) Swachh Bharat Urban
Answer: b

12. Which body includes all adult voters in the village?

a) Gram Sabha
b) Block Samiti
c) Zila Parishad
d) District Court
Answer: a

13. One-third seats in Panchayats are reserved for:

a) Men
b) Women
c) Teachers
d) Doctors
Answer: b

14. Bal Panchayat mainly works for:

a) Farming
b) Child rights
c) Road construction
d) Elections
Answer: b

15. Which of these helps maintain old village maps?

a) Clerk
b) Teacher
c) Patwari
d) Accountant
Answer: c

16. What is the main work of Zila Parishad?

a) Village cleaning
b) District-level planning
c) Teaching
d) Police duty
Answer: b

17. Panchayat Samiti collects development plans from:

a) MLA
b) Villagers
c) Gram Panchayats
d) Governor
Answer: c

18. Gram Panchayat elections happen every:

a) 2 years
b) 5 years
c) 1 year
d) 10 years
Answer: b

19. Child-friendly Panchayat promotes:

a) More homework
b) Children’s participation
c) Pollution
d) Road safety only
Answer: b

20. Who conducts Gram Sabha meetings?

a) Sarpanch
b) Lawyer
c) Headmaster
d) Police
Answer: a

21. Local government helps people to:

a) Travel abroad
b) Manage local issues
c) Run factories
d) Teach college
Answer: b

22. The Panchayati Raj was inspired by:

a) Constitution of India
b) Chanakya’s Arthashastra
c) British Parliament
d) UN Charter
Answer: b

23. Funds for rural development are distributed by:

a) District Court
b) Panchayat Samiti
c) Railway Department
d) Sports Department
Answer: b

24. Which institution decides village issues directly?

a) Gram Sabha
b) High Court
c) State Assembly
d) Lok Sabha
Answer: a

25. The main purpose of Panchayati Raj is:

a) Centralization of power
b) Decentralization of power
c) Increase taxes
d) Provide electricity only
Answer: b

26. Hiware Bazar became successful due to:

a) Sports activities
b) Watershed development
c) Cinema halls
d) None
Answer: b

27. Who among the following can be a Sarpanch?

a) Only men
b) Only government officials
c) Any eligible voter
d) Only school teachers
Answer: c

28. Gram Panchayat works for:

a) Banking
b) Village development
c) Air travel
d) Army operations
Answer: b

29. A village with child-friendly initiatives ensures:

a) More video games
b) School safety & hygiene
c) More festivals
d) More shops
Answer: b

30. A Panchayat member should be:

a) Corrupt
b) Honest & responsible
c) Lazy
d) Violent
Answer: b

🌟 PART – II : SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (15)

(3–5 lines each)

1. What is the Panchayati Raj system?

It is a three-tier system of rural local government where people participate in village development through Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad.

2. What is the role of Gram Sabha?

It includes all adult villagers who discuss and approve community decisions, development plans, and the functioning of the Gram Panchayat.

3. Who is a Sarpanch?

The elected head of a Gram Panchayat who leads meetings, implements decisions, and manages village development work.

4. Mention two functions of Gram Panchayat.

Village road repair, sanitation, providing drinking water, maintaining primary schools.

5. What does Panchayat Samiti do?

It coordinates the plans of all Gram Panchayats and prepares block development programmes.

6. What is the role of Zila Parishad?

It supervises rural development at the district level and connects Panchayats with the state government.

7. Who is a Patwari?

A village-level official who maintains land records and maps.

8. What is a child-friendly Panchayat?

A Panchayat that involves children in decision-making and ensures their safety, school facilities, and rights.

9. Give one example of a successful Sarpanch.

Popatrao Pawar transformed Hiware Bazar through water conservation and became a model for rural development.

10. Why are women’s reservations important in Panchayats?

They ensure women’s representation, voice and leadership in rural governance.

11. What is decentralisation?

Power is shared and distributed to local bodies so that people can solve local problems directly.

12. What are development schemes?

Government programmes for roads, water supply, sanitation, and welfare to improve village life.

13. How does the Panchayat Secretary help the Sarpanch?

By keeping records, conducting meetings, and managing administrative work.

14. Name two issues Bal Panchayats work on.

Stopping child labour and child marriage; encouraging school attendance.

15. Why is Gram Sabha important for democracy?

It allows direct participation and ensures transparency in village decisions.

🌟 PART – III : LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (15)

(8–10 lines each)

1. Explain the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system.

The Panchayati Raj is a three-tier structure of local government. At the village level is the Gram Panchayat, which handles basic needs like roads, water, sanitation, and schools. The block-level Panchayat Samiti coordinates development plans from multiple villages and distributes funds. The Zila Parishad, at the district level, supervises and implements large-scale projects like district roads, health centres and education programmes. Together, these three levels ensure democratic participation and effective rural development.

2. Describe the functions of Gram Panchayat.

Gram Panchayat looks after village cleanliness, water supply, drainage, repairing roads, and maintaining schools. It implements schemes like Swachh Bharat and rural housing programmes. It also solves small disputes and encourages villagers to participate in Gram Sabha meetings. The Sarpanch and Secretary work together to ensure smooth functioning. It is the first and most important level of rural governance.

3. What are the powers and importance of Gram Sabha?

Gram Sabha includes all adult villagers who discuss and approve development plans. It checks corruption by examining Panchayat accounts and decisions. It selects beneficiaries for government schemes and acts as a watchdog to ensure fairness. It ensures transparency, accountability and real democracy at the village level because people participate directly.

4. Explain the role of Panchayat Samiti.

Panchayat Samiti works between Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad. It prepares block-level plans, collects development proposals from villages, and sends them to the district. It distributes funds for roads, water projects, and health services. It supervises government schemes like PM Gram Sadak Yojana. Members include Sarpanchs, MLAs, and elected representatives.

5. Describe the functions of Zila Parishad.

Zila Parishad manages development for the entire district. It coordinates all Panchayat Samitis and ensures proper use of funds. It plans large projects such as major roads, hospitals, irrigation, and rural electrification. It works with the District Collector and state departments. It connects local needs with state policies.

6. What is the significance of women’s reservation in Panchayats?

One-third seats reserved for women empower them to participate in politics. More women become Sarpanch, make decisions for education, health and water, and reduce gender inequality. It helps improve childcare, sanitation, and safety. Reservation strengthens democracy and encourages social equality.

7. Describe the role of Patwari.

The Patwari maintains land records, updates maps, and measures land for farmers. These records are important for disputes, crops, loans and ownership. Patwaris help villagers understand land information and assist in government land schemes. They ensure land administration runs smoothly.

8. What is child-friendly Panchayat? Give examples.

A child-friendly Panchayat includes children in discussions, protects child rights, and improves school conditions. For example, the Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Panchayat built school kitchens and compound walls. In Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats stopped child labour and child marriage. These initiatives help children learn about democracy and become responsible citizens.

9. Explain with examples how Panchayats promote development.

Panchayats build roads, clean drains, maintain water supply, repair schools and ensure hygiene through local planning. Hiware Bazar transformed due to water conservation and united efforts. Child-friendly Panchayats improved education facilities. Panchayat Samitis bring all village plans together. Zila Parishads coordinate district schemes.

10. Describe the importance of Panchayati Raj in democracy.

Panchayati Raj brings governance closer to people. It allows direct participation through Gram Sabha and ensures decentralisation. Villagers solve their own problems quickly and cheaply. It creates leadership at the local level and increases accountability. It strengthens democratic spirit and rural development.

11. How can Panchayats solve problems related to water?

They can dig wells, repair pumps, build pipelines, conserve rainwater and start watershed programmes. Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads can provide funds for water tanks and irrigation. Community participation ensures long-term success.

12. Describe a successful Panchayat initiative from the chapter.

Hiware Bazar in Maharashtra was drought-prone. Under Sarpanch Popatrao Pawar, villagers planted lakhs of trees, built check dams, and harvested rainwater. Groundwater increased, crops improved, and the village became prosperous. It received national recognition.

13. How does Gram Sabha help in keeping Panchayat accountable?

It checks accounts, questions the Sarpanch, approves works, and prevents corruption. Villagers can raise issues directly. Gram Sabha selects scheme beneficiaries fairly. It ensures transparency and democratic decision making.

14. Explain the ancient roots of local governance in India.

Chanakya’s Arthashastra mentioned a system of village clusters with different administrative headquarters. This shows that India had decentralised governance even 2300 years ago. Modern Panchayati Raj follows similar principles of local participation.

15. How can students participate in village development?

Students can join Bal Sabha meetings, create awareness campaigns, and write to the Sarpanch. They can help keep the village clean, plant trees, promote school attendance, and report child labour or pollution. Their involvement builds responsibility and leadership.