CBSE Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 11 - Grassroots Democracy Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas

1. What is the Panchayati Raj system?
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system is a form of local self-government in rural India, where people in villages actively participate in decision-making processes through elected representatives.

2. What is a Gram Panchayat?
Ans: A Gram Panchayat is the lowest level of Panchayati Raj, serving a village or group of villages, where elected members work to address local issues.

3. What is a Sarpanch?
Ans: A Sarpanch is the head or president of a Gram Panchayat, elected by the Gram Sabha to lead and represent the village.

4. What is a Gram Sabha?
Ans: A Gram Sabha is a gathering of all adult villagers, where they discuss and decide on issues related to the development and welfare of the village.

5. What is the role of a Panchayat Secretary?
Ans: A Panchayat Secretary assists the Gram Panchayat by maintaining records, calling meetings, and handling administrative tasks.

6. What is the role of Panchayats in rural governance?
Ans: Panchayats play a crucial role in rural governance by addressing local needs such as water, roads, education, and health services. They ensure that government schemes reach the grassroots level, and they allow people to participate directly in decision-making, making governance more accessible to villagers.

7. How does the Panchayati Raj system work at three levels?
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system operates at three levels: village (Gram Panchayat), block (Panchayat Samiti), and district (Zila Parishad). These levels work together to manage local governance, with each level responsible for different aspects of rural development, from local village issues to district-wide policies.

8. What is the purpose of the Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative?
Ans: The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative ensures that children’s voices are heard in local governance. It allows children to participate in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats, where they discuss issues like child labour, education, and child marriage, encouraging their involvement in village matters.

9. What is the role of the Zila Parishad?
Ans: The Zila Parishad is the highest level of Panchayati Raj, operating at the district level. It coordinates development plans from various Panchayat Samitis and works to implement large-scale government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

10. What is the function of a Panchayat Samiti?
Ans: The Panchayat Samiti operates at the block level and acts as a link between the Gram Panchayats and the Zila Parishad. It helps collect and coordinate development plans from different villages and ensures that resources and funds are allocated effectively.

11. How does the Panchayati Raj system promote democracy in rural areas?
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system promotes democracy by allowing people in villages to actively participate in governance. Through the Gram Sabha, villagers can discuss and decide on issues affecting their community. Elected representatives, such as the Sarpanch, lead the Gram Panchayat in implementing decisions. This system empowers people to make decisions about local development, ensures government schemes reach the grassroots level, and promotes inclusivity by reserving seats for women and disadvantaged groups, thus strengthening democracy at the rural level.

12. How does the Panchayati Raj system function at the village, block, and district levels?
Ans: At the village level, the Gram Panchayat directly addresses local issues such as roads, water, and education. At the block level, the Panchayat Samiti coordinates the work of multiple Gram Panchayats and presents development plans to the district level. The Zila Parishad, at the district level, oversees larger projects and government schemes across multiple blocks. These three levels work together to ensure rural development, with each level handling different responsibilities based on its scope.

13. Why is the participation of children in Panchayati Raj important?
Ans: The participation of children in Panchayati Raj is important because it allows young people to voice their concerns and contribute to decisions that affect their lives, such as education and safety. Initiatives like Bal Panchayats give children a platform to address issues like child marriage and child labour, empowering them to take responsibility for their communities. Involving children also helps them learn about democracy, governance, and leadership from a young age.

14. What role do women play in the Panchayati Raj system?
Ans: Women play a significant role in the Panchayati Raj system, especially with the reservation of one-third of the seats for them. This encourages women to take leadership positions, like becoming Sarpanchs, where they can address issues related to education, sanitation, and social welfare. Their involvement promotes gender equality and ensures that the concerns and needs of women in rural areas are represented in local governance.

15. How does the Panchayati Raj system empower disadvantaged sections of society?
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system empowers disadvantaged sections of society by reserving seats for them in local governance bodies like the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. This ensures that marginalised groups, such as women and lower castes, have a voice in decision-making processes. By focusing on their needs, the system helps address issues like education, health, and social justice, allowing these communities to participate actively in their development.

16. Why is local governance important in a large country like India?
Ans: Local governance is important in India because it brings decision-making closer to the people, especially in rural areas. Given India’s size and diversity, central or state governments cannot effectively address the specific needs of each village. The Panchayati Raj system allows villagers to manage their own affairs, such as local development and welfare, ensuring that governance is more responsive, inclusive, and efficient.

17. How do Gram Panchayats contribute to rural development?
Ans: Gram Panchayats contribute to rural development by identifying the needs of the village and implementing projects related to water, roads, health, and education. They also ensure that government schemes reach the village and that resources are used effectively. By involving villagers in decision-making, Gram Panchayats help improve infrastructure, promote social welfare, and enhance the overall quality of life in rural areas.

18. What impact has the Panchayati Raj system had on women’s empowerment in India?
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system has significantly contributed to women’s empowerment by reserving one-third of the seats for women, encouraging them to take leadership roles as Sarpanchs or members of the Panchayat. This participation has allowed women to address issues like sanitation, education, and health, which are often overlooked. It has also promoted gender equality and given women a platform to challenge traditional gender roles in rural areas.

19. How does the Panchayati Raj system promote inclusivity in rural governance?
Ans: The Panchayati Raj system promotes inclusivity by reserving seats for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes in Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads. This ensures that marginalised communities have a say in governance and that their concerns are addressed. By encouraging broad participation, the system ensures that rural governance reflects the diverse needs of all sections of society.

20. Why is the three-tier system important for rural governance?
Ans: The three-tier system is important for rural governance because it allows decision-making to take place at different levels, ensuring that local issues are addressed effectively. The Gram Panchayat handles village-level matters, while the Panchayat Samiti coordinates efforts at the block level, and the Zila Parishad manages district-wide development. This structure ensures that local needs are met efficiently, while also facilitating the implementation of government schemes at higher levels.

21. What is the role of the Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system?
Ans: The Gram Sabha plays a key role by allowing villagers to discuss and decide on issues related to their development. It is a platform for direct participation, where both men and women can voice their opinions and take decisions.

22. What is the significance of the Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative?
Ans: The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative ensures that children’s voices are heard in village governance. It encourages children to participate in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats, where they discuss and find solutions to issues affecting them, like education and child labour.

23. What responsibilities does the Zila Parishad have?
Ans: The Zila Parishad, operating at the district level, is responsible for coordinating development plans from Panchayat Samitis and implementing government schemes across the district. It plays a key role in managing resources and ensuring effective rural development.

24. How does the Panchayat Samiti link the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad?
Ans: The Panchayat Samiti links the Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad by coordinating development plans from villages within the block and ensuring they are implemented at the district level. It helps allocate resources and manage projects across the block.

25. Why are old maps maintained by the Patwari important?
Ans: Old maps maintained by the Patwari are important because they provide historical records of land ownership and use. These maps help resolve disputes, show changes in land distribution over time, and offer insights into the village’s development.

5 Important Topics from Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 you Must Know

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11

• This FREE PDF on Important Questions allows students to revise key concepts of the Panchayati Raj system, including its structure at village, block, and district levels, which makes understanding rural governance simpler.

• With expertly crafted questions, students gain insights into roles like Sarpanch, Gram Sabha, and Zila Parishad, preparing them thoroughly for exams.

• The questions highlight the importance of women’s and children’s participation, encouraging students to understand inclusivity within governance and the impact on rural development.

• Available for easy download, this PDF provides a convenient way for students to study on-the-go, enhancing their flexibility in revision and accessibility to important questions.

• Covering real-world applications of local government, the PDF helps students connect classroom learning to community governance, improving both their academic understanding and practical knowledge.

• Practising these questions also builds students' confidence in discussing democratic principles and local government structures, crucial for their overall grasp of social studies.

Conclusion:

In Chapter 11 of Class 6 Social Science, students explore the Panchayati Raj system, which is a vital part of grassroots democracy in rural areas. This system allows local communities to actively participate in governance, addressing their specific needs and fostering development. Through this chapter, students gain insights into how the Panchayat works at the village, block, and district levels, with the inclusion of elected representatives and provisions for women and disadvantaged groups. Vedantu’s important questions for this chapter will help students review these key concepts, ensuring a thorough understanding for exam preparation.

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