Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas Class 6 Notes: CBSE Social Science Chapter 11

Panchayati Raj System

• In every village in India, including Lakshmanpur, there is a local government system called the Panchayat, or village council.

• Panchayats help bring governance closer to the people, allowing them to take part in decisions that affect their lives.

• This system, known as Panchayati Raj, is a form of self-government where villagers manage their own affairs.

• Panchayats are important for solving local problems, promoting development, and making sure government schemes benefit everyone.

• The Panchayati Raj system operates at three levels: Village, Block, and District. This is called the ‘three-tier system.’

• These levels handle almost all aspects of life in the district, including agriculture, housing, road maintenance, water management, education, healthcare, social welfare, and cultural activities.

Gram Panchayat

• Gram Panchayat is the local governing body closest to rural people.

• Its members are elected directly by the Gram Sabha.

• Gram Sabha consists of all adult voters from a village or nearby villages.

• In the Gram Sabha, both men and women discuss local issues and make decisions.

• Each Gram Panchayat elects a leader called the Sarpanch or Pradhan.

• Recently, more women have been chosen as Sarpanchs.

Exemplary Sarpanchs

Dnyaneshwar Kamble:

• A transgender person elected as Sarpanch of Tarangfal village, Solapur district, Maharashtra in 2017.

• His motto is "lok seva, gram seva," meaning "Service to the village is service to the public."

Defeated six other candidates to win the position.

Vandana Bahadur Maida:

• A member of the Bhil community from Khankhandvi village, Madhya Pradesh.

• Became the first female Sarpanch of her village by challenging patriarchal norms.

• Encouraged women to attend Sabha meetings and addressed key issues like education and sanitation.

• Recognized for her leadership and contributions to rural development.

Popatrao Baguji Pawar:

• Became Sarpanch of Hiware Bazar, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

• Implemented Anna Hazare’s methods: rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation, and large-scale tree planting.

• His efforts helped recharge groundwater and transformed Hiware Bazar into a green and thriving village.

• Awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 for his work.

Gram Panchayat Administration:

• Assisted by a Panchayat Secretary who handles administrative tasks such as organizing meetings and keeping records.

• Often supported by a Patwari, who manages villagers’ land records and may have old maps.

Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative

• Panchayats are expected to consider everyone’s opinions, including those of children.

• The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative allows children to share their ideas and concerns about their wellbeing.

• Many states are promoting children’s participation in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats to address their issues.

• In Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats have worked against child labor and child marriage, helping children return to school.

• Bal Panchayat members persuade parents and adults to ensure children attend school and avoid early marriages.

• Some Gram Panchayats have received awards for child-friendly efforts.

• Sikkim Example: The Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat has focused on children’s needs by building school compound walls and constructing kitchens for hygienic midday meals. This has earned them the title of a child-friendly Gram Panchayat.

• Rajasthan Example: The ‘Children’s Parliament,’ part of Bunker Roy’s ‘Barefoot College’ initiative, empowers underprivileged children through education and democratic participation. Children aged 8 to 14 engage in governance, learn about democracy, and participate in parliament-like elections with formal procedures like voter ID cards and campaigning.

Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad

• At higher levels, institutions like the Panchayat Samiti (at the block level) and the Zila Parishad (at the district level) exist above the village Panchayat.

• The Panchayat Samiti connects the Village Panchayat and the Zila Parishad.

• Members of these institutions are elected by local people and may include Sarpanchs from villages and local members of the State Legislative Assembly.

• The setup of Panchayat Samitis can vary by state, but their main job is to involve local people in decision-making.

• They collect development plans from Village Panchayats and present them at the district or state level, helping to secure funding for projects like rural road construction.

• Special rules ensure that disadvantaged groups can voice their needs, and one-third of the seats are reserved for women at all levels.

5 Important Topics of Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas

Importance of Social Science Class 6 Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas Notes

• Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

• They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

• These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

• They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

• Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

• They increase confidence by clearly understanding what to expect in exams.

• Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.

Tips for Learning the Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas Notes

• Familiarize yourself with terms like Panchayat, Gram Sabha, and Sarpanch to grasp the chapter better.

• Learn about the different levels of Panchayats – Village, Block, and District – and their roles in local governance.

• Understand each level of Panchayat is responsible for, including their duties in rural development.

• Understand how elections are conducted for Panchayat positions and the importance of representation.

• Connect the functions of Panchayats to real-life examples of rural development projects to better understand their impact.

• Think about real-life examples of local governance in your area. This will help you relate the chapter content to everyday life.

Conclusion

Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 on "Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas" by Vedantu provides an insightful look into how local governance works in villages. We learned about the Panchayat system, including its structure, roles, and responsibilities in managing rural areas. The Panchayats are crucial for implementing democratic decisions and promoting development at the village level. Understanding how elections are conducted and the functions of various Panchayat members helps us appreciate the role of local government in improving rural life. Using the revision notes will help reinforce these concepts, making it easier to grasp and remember the important aspects of local governance for exams.

Related Study Materials for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 - Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas

Chapter-wise Revision Notes Links for Class 6 Social Science

Important Study Materials for Class 6 Social Science: