Civics-Rular Local Self-Government (India)

Introduction

Manni was travelling with his parents to Dehradun.On his way,he passed by a few villages .He asked his father Who looks after the administration of these village? Who is Responsible for providing civic amenities to the people? His father replied, India is a vast country, with great diversity and population. In order to run this country smoothly, the administration is divided into various units:

Government:

A GOVERNMENT IS FORMED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING A COUNTRY.IT IS A BODY WHICH MAKES LAWS AND DECISIONS FOR A COUNTRY FOR EXAMPLE,THE DECISIONS TO CONSTRUCT ROADS,CANALS AND BRIDGES.IT MAKES LAWS TO PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL FACILITIES AND ECUCATION SERVICES TO POOR OR NEEDY.A GOVERNMENT ALSO REFERS TO FORM OR SYSTEM OF RULE BY WHICH A STATE OR A COUNTRY IS GOVERNED.

INDIA HAS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND UNITED KINGDOM (UK) HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY.

Local Self Government

• Local self governing bodies are of two kinds: Rular and Urban.

• So let us study about Rular Self Government.

Three levels of Government in India

So, Before going to Rular self government let us all learn about the three governments of india.....

Central government: Funtions at the national level and makes law for the entire country.

State Government: Functions in a paticular state,for example,WEST BENGAL government makes laws and takes decisions only for that state.

Local self Government: Functions at the local level and caters to the local needs of the people living in cities, towns, and villages.

Explanation of the topic:

Rular Self Government take cares of the village big village or small village. Rular Self Government is divided in to 3 parts : Panchayat, Block Samiti/ Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad/ District Board.

​Zila parishad is at the top, then Panchayat or Block Samiti and at the last Panchayat

Panchayati Raj

The Panchayati Raj is a system of local self government at the village level. Panchayat is divided into three parts: Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayat and Nyaya panchayat. The three tier system of the Panchayati raj solves the problems prevalent in rular areas. It encourages people's participation at the grass roots level and serves as a medium through which people can participate in the governance of the country. All big villages in India have Gram Sabha, Gram panchayat and Nyaya panchayat.

Gram Sabha: It is the lowest rank in Panchayat

The gram sabha literally means the meeting of the village. A gram sabha can be only for one village or more than one village depending on the area covered by a panchayat.

Members: All men and and women a village who are 18 years above, having the right to vote are members of gram sabha.

Functions: The gram sabha performs various functions:

-To ensure the people's participation and mutual cooperation in the decision-making process.

-To enable the election of members of the panchayat fulfil it's role and responsibility..

Gram Panchayat: It is in the middle rank of Panchayat

A gram Panchayat can be set up in any village with population of more than 600. If population is less than six hundred then two or more villages are clubbed together under a common gram panchayat. The members are elected directly by the members of gram sabha. The members of gram panchayat are elected for a period of 3-5 years.

Sarpanch (GRAM- PANCHAYAT)

The head of the panchayat is know as sarpanch. The other members are known as panch.A deputy sarpanch is also elected who assists the sarpanch in his or her work. The sarpanch is elected among the people of gram panchayat.

Functions: To preside over the meetings/ call the meetings of the gram panchayat and supervise it's work.

To implement development work in the village(s)

Now you know

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Rular Self government system works for village.People vote for gram sabha.

Gram Sabha caste vote to Gram panchayat.

Gram panchayat caste vote to Sarpanch.

*Everyone is equal.*

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Secretary

The gram Panchayat has a secretary who is also the secretary of the gram sabha.He/She is salaried officer appointed by the government ,So basically the salary is given by the government to the secretary.

Functions of a secretary

• To record and register the work done by the panchayat and to prepare the budget

• To advise the villagers in matter of health,farming and village development and education.

​Compulsory Functions of GRAM PANCHAYAT:

​-To levy and collect local taxes, tolls and fees.

​- to maintain markets, bus-stands, and burial and cremation grounds in village.

​-to provide health and sanitation facilities to the villages and education, clean drinking water supplies.

​- to ensure overall welfare of people.

​-to construct and repair wells, roads and drainage, school buildings and plant trees.

​- to maintain records relating to births, deaths and marriages.

​-to implement government schemes for employment generation in the village.

​Optional functions of GRAM PANCHAYAT:

• ​maintenance of libraries and reading rooms

• ​organise cultural events and educational programmes

• ​establish sources of entertainments like cinema halls and theatres

• ​install television (TV) sets

​GRAM PANCHAYAT: Sources of income -:

​GRAM PANCHAYAT recieves funds through various sources:

• ​Tax levied on houses and shops and other open spaces in the village

• ​Professional tax, taxes pilgrimages ,fair and market and animal trade.

• ​Admission fees on people who take their disputes to Nyaya Panchayat.

• ​Fines paid by people guilty of committing petty crimes.

• ​Grants from the state government and Zila Parishad.

​YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT NYAYA PANCHAYAT AND ZILA PARISHAD LATER IN THIS LESSON.....

​GRAM PANCHAYAT: Importance of GRAM PANCHAYAT -:

​The gram Panchayat playas an important role in rural development:

• ​It helps people to solve their day-to-day problems

• ​It helps bind the people together because they are convinced that a gram panchayat functions for their welfare

• It serves as a training ground for future political leaders

• It promotes cooperation between people while solving problems.

​NYAYA PANCHAYAT: It is at top level

​Nyaya panchayat preside over petty cases such as minor thefts, trespass, family feuds and other small cases at the village level. Their members are appointed by the gram panchayat. The Nyaya Panchayt can impose fines up to a hundred rupees but cannot send anyone to prison.

​The Nyaya Panchayat help to resolve minor cases at the local level in an inexpensive way. These cases are resolved fast and help the parties involved to save money and time.

​This is the way you will answer the questions :

​Q1. Define government. State the 3 levels of a government :

​Ans: The government is a body which make laws and decisions for the country. Decisions to construct canals, roads, and bridges. A government also refers to the form or system of rule by which a state or country is governed. for better administration the government has been divided into 3 levels- Central or Union Government, State Government and Local Rural Government.

​Q2. Define Gram Sabha. Who can become a member of Gram Sabha?

​Ans: A village assembly comprising the adult members of a village is called Gram Sabha. All men and woman in a village who 18 and above can be the members of Gram Sabha .

​Q3.What is Panchayiti Raj System? Define it's three tier system.

​Ans: Panchayiti Raj system is a system of local self government at the village level. The three tier system of Panchayiti Raj is to encourage people's participation at the grass-root level and serves as a medium through which people can participate.

​Q4. What is the relation between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat ?

​Ans: A Gram Sabha is the meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by panchayat. Gram Sabha elects the members of Gram Panchayat. Gram Panchayat has a secretary who is also a secretary of Gram sabha. The secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of gram panchayat and gram sabha. Gram Panchayat is answerable to Gram Sabha. Gram sabha keeps a check on the activities of Gram Panchayat.