1. What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Ans: The villagers in Hardas village faced the problem of drinking water shortage. They did the following tasks to solve this problem:

• They deepened the two hand pumps.
• They cleaned one well.
• They sought information about the scheme of watershed development from the Block Development Officer.

2. What in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Ans: The Gram Sabha is the most important body of the Panchayati Raj System. It is responsible for planning out the strategies for the development of the village, implementation of the ruling provisions. It also looks after the basic amenities of village people. It is also the custodian of the public property of the village.

Education, law, and order, primary health services are some of the other responsibilities of the Gram Sabha. It also checks the wrong decisions taken by the Gram Panchayat. It keeps an eye on the elected representative and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.

It is important for all members to attend Gram Sabha meetings because it is the only way to participate in the proceedings of various plans discussed in the meetings. The members of Gram Sabha represent different areas. So, it is important for them to put their local problems and development programmes in the meetings. If they remain absent from the meetings, their interests may be overlooked.

3. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans:

• Gram Sabha works over several Gram Panchayats.
• Gram Panchayats are members of Gram Sabha.
• Gram Sabha controls and approves the spending of money received from the government.

4. Take an example of anyone task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the following :

1. Why it was taken up.
2. Where the money comes from.
3. Whether or not the work has been completed.

Ans:

1. Our Panchayat recently undertook the task of building a community hall. It was necessary because there was no such common place where people could gather at a time. It was difficult to hold a general meeting, organize a general function, etc.
2. The money was collected as a contribution from the villagers and some part of it was also diverted from the Panchayat welfare fund.
3. Yes, the work has been completed within the projected time and it is now in use.

5. What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans:

1. Gram Sabha consists of all the adults of a village while Gram Panchayat is elected by the members of the Gram Sabha for a period of five years.
2. The area of Gram Sabha is the entire village whereas Gram Panchayat is divided into wards represented by Ward Councillors.
3. Gram Sabha puts control over Gram Panchayat.

6. Read the following news item:
Nimone is a village on the Chauphula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagavan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods, and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to the hospital for treatment. In the FIR recorded by the police Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must’be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nlmone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for lower castes.
Adapted, from Indian Express, ‘ May 1, 2004

1. Why was Bhagvan beaten?
2.  Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?

Ans:

1. There was acute water crisis in Nimone village and the villagers had to depend on tankers for their needs. So, when the tanker came in the village, Bhagvan insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. But the upper caste men were against this and therefore they beat Bhagvan to suppress his demand.
2. Yes, the above is a case of discrimination, because the upper caste men tries to suppress the genuine demand of the lower castes. They look them down upon and ignore their existence.

 7. Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?
Ans:

• Watershed development helps in conserving water and recharging the groundwater resources.
• Under the watershed development scheme the following tasks are performed:
  • Trees are planted,
  • Check dams and tanks Eire constructed to harvest rainwater.
• An ample quantity of water is available both for drinking and irrigation.
• Barren lands are turned into green meadows.
• Arable land is reclaimed.

I.MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Choose the correct option to complete the statements given below:

(i) The members of the Gram Sabha must be adults. It means they must be of
(a) 18 years or more
(b) 20 years or more
(c) 22 years or more
(d) 25 years.

(ii) The people of Hardas village are facing the problem of…………..
(a) Electricity
(b) Unemployment
(c) Water shortages
(d) None of the above.

(iii)The work of the Gram Panchayat has to be approved by the …………..
(a) Members of the Gram Sabha
(b) Zila Parishad
(c) Ward Member
(d) Gram Sabha

(iv) Which one is not the source of funds for the Panchayat?
(a) Collection of taxes on houses, market places, etc.
(b) Donations for community works etc.
(c) Donations contributed by the villagers for village welfare works
(d) Government scheme funds received through various departments of the government through the Janpad and Zila Panchayats.

(v) The Panchayat Raj System is the
(a) First level of democratic government
(b) Second level of democratic government
(c) Third level of democratic government
(d) Fourth level of democratic government.

Answer:
(i) – (c), (ii) – (e), (iii) – (d), (iv) – (c), (v) – (a).

II.FILL IN THE BLANKS

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence:

1. The Gram Panchayat is elected for ……… years.
2. The Panchs and the Gram Panchayat are answerable to the…………….
3. Every village Panchayat is divided into ……….
4. The people of Hardas village suggested ………  development programme for the permanent solution of their problem.
5. The Gram Panchayat’s main tasle is to implement …………..  programmes for all villages that come under it.

Answer:

1. Five
2. Gram Sabha
3. Wards
4. watershed

III.TRUE/FALSE

State whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F).

1. The Secretary of the Gram Sabha is an elected person.
2. There is no link between the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat.
3. It is the Gram Sabha that keeps control of the Gram Panchayat.
4. The Gram Panchayat meets regularly in order to perform its task efficiently and within a given time limit.
5. The Gram Panchayat does not collect any local taxes.

Answer:

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False

IV.MATCHING SKILL

Ans: (i)—(d), (ii)—(c), (iii)—(e), (iv)—(a),

I.VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Who calls the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat? [V. Imp.]
Ans: It is the Secretary who calls the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat.

2. What problems do the women of Hardas village face?
Ans: The women of Hardas village have to go to the Suru River which is 3 km away to fetch water.

3. Why is Tijia in favour of some permanent solution to the problem of water shortages?
Ans: Because groundwater levels seem to be going down every year.

4.What does Anwar suggest?
Ans: Anwar suggests for watershed development programme.

5.What was the next agenda for the Gram Sabha?
Ans: The finalisation of the list of people below the poverty line (BPL).

6. Why is the Nirmal Gram Puruskar awarded and to whom?
Ans: The Nirmal Gram Puruskar is awarded to the village Panch/panchs for the excellent work done by him/them in the Panchayat.

7. What is the Panchayati Reg System?                                                                     [V. Imp.]
Ans: Panchayati Raj System is a process through which people participate in their own government.

8. Why are the Panchs and the Gram Panchayat answerable to Gram Sabha?
Ans: Because the members of the Gram Sabha elect them.

VI. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What various works does a Gram Panchayat do? [V. Imp.]
Ans: A Gram Panchayat does various works. These works include

• The construction and maintenance of water sources, roads, drainage, school buildings, and other common property resources.
• Levying and collecting local taxes.
• Executing government schemes related to generating employment in the village.

2. What are the sources of funds for the Gram Panchayat? [V. Imp.]
Ans: The sources of funds for the Gram Panchayat are:

• Collection of taxes on houses, market places etc.
• Government scheme funds received through various departments of the government through the Janpad and Zila Panchayats.
• Donations for community works etc.

3. What are the functions of the Zila Parishad?
Ans: The functions of the Zila Parishad Eire :

• It makes developmental plans at the district level.
• With the help of Panchayat Samitis, it also regulates the money distribution among all the Gram Panchayats.

4. Write a brief note on the three levels of Panchayats.                                       [V. Imp.]
Ans: The Panchayati Raj System is a process through which people participate in their own government. The Panchayati Raj System is the first tier or level of democratic government. It extends to two other levels. One is the Block level, which is called the Janpad Panchayat or the Panchayat Samiti. Above the Panchayat Samiti is the District Panchayat or the Zila Parishad.

5. Why do Gram Sabhas in some states from committees?                                        [Imp*]
Ans: In some states, Gram Sabhas from committees like construction and development committees. These committees include some members of the Gram Sabha and some from the Gram Panchayat who work together to carry out specific tasks.

6. Write a short note on the Gram Sabha.
Ans: The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat. This could be only one village or a few villages. In some states, a village meeting is held for each village. Anyone who is 18 years old or more and who has the right to vote is a member of the Gram Sabha.

VII. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

 1. Describe the composition of a Vintage Panchayat.                                          [V. Imp.]
Ans: A Village Panchayat is divided into wards. Each ward elects a representative who is known as the Ward Member, also called Panch. All the members of the Gram Sabha also elect a Sarpanch who is called Panchayat President. The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch from the Gram Panchayat. The tenure of the Gram Panchayat is five years.

The Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha have a common Secretary. He is a person whom the government appoints. Thus, he is not an elected person. The Secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. He also keeps records of the proceedings of the meeting.

2. Describe the Functions of the Gram Sabha.                                                     [V. Imp.]
Ans: The Gram Sabha performs various tasks:

• It keeps control of the Gram Panchayat. It makes the Gram Panchayat play its role and be responsible.
• It is the place where all plans for the work of the Gram Panchayat are placed before the people.
• The Gram Sabha prevents the Panchayat from doing wrong things which may include misusing money or favouring certain people.
• It keeps an eye on the elected representatives and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.