Question 1

Question 2What is Panchayati Raj system?

Accepted Answer

All local self-government bodies in the rural areas work under the Panchayati Raj system. The Panchayati Raj system works at three levels. These are:Panchayats at the village level.Block Samitis at the block level.District Council or Zila Parishad at the district level.

Question 2

Question 3Mention the three wings of the village Panchayat.

Accepted Answer

A village panchayat has three wings which are as follows:Gram SabhaGram PanchayatNyaya Panchayat

Question 3

Question 4How are the members of the village Panchayat elected?

Accepted Answer

The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by the Gram Sabha. One-third of the seats in the Gram Panchayat are reserved for women. People belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have seats reserved for them.

Question 4

Question 5Mention three main functions of the village Panchayat.

Accepted Answer

The three main functions of the village panchayat are as follows:To make arrangements for supplying clean drinking water.To construct and repair roads, drains, wells and tanks.To provide health and sanitation facilities.

Question 5

Question 6Mention sources of income of the village Panchayats.

Accepted Answer

The sources of income of the village panchayats are as follows:Taxes on fairs, shops and houses.Fees from registration of purchase and sale of property and cattle.Grants from the government.Money given as fine by the people found guilty by Nyaya Panchayats.Taxes on goods that are brought into or taken out of the village.

Question 6

Question 7Mention the functions of (a) Block Samiti, and (b) Zila Parishad.

Accepted Answer

(a) The functions of Block Samiti are as follows:It makes arrangements for providing primary and adult education to the people in a block.It looks after health care and organises vaccination programmes.It helps the farmers by providing irrigation facilities and distributing seeds and fertilisers.It promotes cottage industries and arranges for training for self-employment.It undertakes welfare functions such as the supply of clean drinking water, sanitation and cleanliness.(b) The functions of Zila Parishad are as follows:To supervise the work of the village panchayats and Block Samitis.To advice the state government on the work of Panchayats and SamitisTo implement the projects under the Five Year Plans.To keep a watch on agricultural production and the development programmes of the district; andTo prepare a plan for the district.

Question 7

Question 1Complete the chart to understand the functioning of the Panchayati Raj System.CategoriesPanchayatBlock SamitiZila ParishadLevel of function   Representative of State Government   Sources of Income   Functions

Accepted Answer

CategoriesPanchayatBlock SamitiZila ParishadLevel of functionVillage levelBlock levelDistrict levelRepresentative of State GovernmentPanchayat SecretaryBlock Development Officer (BDO)The CollectorSources of Income1. Taxes on fairs, shops and houses.2. Fees from registration of purchase and sale of property and cattle.3. Grants from the government.4. Money given as fine by the people found guilty by Nyaya Panchayats.5. Taxes on goods that are brought into or taken out of the village.The Block Samiti gets money from the State government for the development of its block.1. Income from taxes levied by Zila Parishad, license fees and market fees.2. A share is given to Zila Parishad from the collected land revenue.3. Income from various properties of Zila Praishad.4. Grants from the State and Central governments.Functions1. To make arrangements for supplying clean drinking water.2. To construct and repair roads, drains, wells and tanks.3. To provide health and sanitation facilities.4. To make provisions for proper lights on roads and streets.5. To plant trees.6. To keep a record of births and deaths in the village.7. To manage health centres, small dispensaries and veterinary hospitals.8. To organise cattle fairs, village markets, educational and awareness programmes and village sports.1. It makes arrangements for providing primary and adult education to the people in a block.2. It looks after health care and organises vaccination programmes.3. It helps the farmers by providing irrigation facilities and distributing seeds and fertilisers.4. It promotes cottage industries and arranges for training for self-employment.5. It undertakes welfare functions such as the supply of clean drinking water, sanitation and cleanliness.1. To supervise the work of the village panchayats and Block Samitis.2. To advice the state government on the work of Panchayats and Samitis.3. To implement the projects under the Five Year Plans.4. To keep a watch on agricultural production and the development programmes of the district.5. To prepare a plan for the district.

Rural Local Self-Government

Answer the following questions

Complete the chart