Chapter 11 Class 6 Social Science Solutions NCERT,
Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas Chapter 11 Class 6 Social Science,
Class 6 Social Science Chapterwise Complete Solutions,
Summary: Chapter 11-Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas
India is a very large and diverse country with lakhs of villages. To manage life and solve problems in rural areas, we need a local government system that works closely with the people. This system is called the Panchayati Raj System.
Why do we need local government?
Villagers face many local problems — like water shortage, broken roads, school maintenance, land disputes, etc.
It is not possible to run to state capitals or Delhi for every problem.
So, villages have their own government called the Panchayat, which helps people make decisions and solve local issues.
Panchayati Raj System (Three-tier system)
We have already studied the three tiers of government ( Central, State, and Local). In the local/Panchayati Raj system, there are also three levels-
- Village Level – Gram Panchayat
- Block Level – Panchayat Samiti
- District Level – Zila Parishad
All three work together to improve village life.
1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level):
It is the closest to the people.
All adults of the village (Gram Sabha) elect the members.
They also elect a Sarpanch (Pradhan), who is the head of the Panchayat.
The Gram Panchayat solves village problems like drinking water, roads, sanitation, school needs, etc.
Panchayat Secretary – maintains records and calls meetings.
Patwari – keeps land records and maps.
Famous Sarpanch:
- Dnyaneshwar Kamble (Maharashtra): A transgender Sarpanch who worked for village welfare.
- Vandana Bahadur Maida (Madhya Pradesh): A woman Sarpanch who promoted girls’ education and sanitation.
- Popatrao Pawar (Hiware Bazar, Maharashtra): Transformed a drought-hit village into a green, water-rich model village using water conservation and plantation. Awarded Padma Shri in 2020.
2. Panchayat Samiti (Block Level):
It works between the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad.
It collects development plans from many villages.
It helps in running government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (building rural roads).
3. Zila Parishad (District Level):
It works at the top level of the district.
It coordinates big development projects like water management, farming support, schools, hospitals, etc.
It ensures funds and plans reach villages.
The Panchayati Raj System brings democracy to the grassroots level. It helps villagers take part in solving their own problems and improving their village.
The Big Questions?
1. What are Panchayati Raj institutions?
Answer.
Panchayati Raj institutions are the local government system in villages. They help people in rural areas make decisions and solve their day-to-day problems.
They work at three levels:
Gram Panchayat – at the village level
Panchayat Samiti – at the block level
Zila Parishad – at the district level
Example:
If a village needs a new water pump or a road repair, the Gram Panchayat discusses it and works to solve the problem.
2. What are their functions?
Answer.
Panchayati Raj institutions perform many important jobs to improve village life.
Some main functions of Panchayati Raj Systems are:
1. Village development:
It builds roads, improves water supply, and repairs streetlights
Example: Making a cement road in a muddy area.
2. Education:
It looks after village schools, mid-day meals.
Example: Repairing the school roof or building a boundary wall.
3. Health and cleanliness:
It keeps the village clean, manages drainage.
Example: Organising cleanliness drives or spraying to prevent mosquitoes.
4. Welfare of people:
It helps poor families, widows, and senior citizens through government schemes
Example: Helping people get ration cards or a pension.
5. Solve small disputes:
It helps settle quarrels related to land or water.
Example: Two farmers fighting over field boundaries.
3. Why are they important in governance and democracy?
Answer.
Panchayati Raj institutions perform many important jobs to improve village life.
The following ways Panchayati Raj Institutions are important to governance and democracy:
1. Village development:
It builds roads, improves water supply, and repairs streetlights
Example: Making a cement road in a muddy area.
2. Education:
It looks after village schools, mid-day meals.
Example: Repairing the school roof or building a boundary wall.
3. Health and cleanliness:
It keeps the village clean, manages drainage
Example: Organising cleanliness drives or spraying to prevent mosquitoes.
4. Welfare of people:
It helps poor families, widows, and senior citizens through government schemes
Example: Helping people get ration cards or a pension.
5. Solve small disputes
It helps settle quarrels related to land or water
Example: Two farmers fighting over field boundaries.
Questions, activities, and projects:
1. Test yourself — without looking at the text above, can you name the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system? What are the key functions of each of the three tiers?
Answer.
Three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system are:
- Gram Panchayat – Village level
- Panchayat Samiti – Block level
- Zila Parishad – District level
Functions of each tier:
1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level):
Village-level Panchayat solves small village problems like :
- Water, streetlights, sanitation, village roads, etc
- Helps with school needs and health camps
- Example: Fixing a broken handpump or cleaning drains in the village.
2. Panchayat Samiti (Block Level):
- It supports many villages in a block.
- It collects development plans from villages
- It helps run government schemes
Example: Approving funds to build a primary health center for all villages in the block.
3. Zila Parishad (District Level):
- It looks after big development projects at the district level.
- It manages district-level health, education, and roads.
- It distributes money and resources to Panchayat Samitis.
Example: Building a district hospital or a main road connecting villages.
2. Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village.
Answer.
To,
The Sarpanch,
Babhani
Subject: Request to clean plastic bags lying on the roadside
Respected Sarpanch ji,
I am a student of our village school. I want to bring to your notice that many plastic bags and trash are lying on the roadside, especially near the market area. This looks dirty, blocks the drains, and can harm animals.
I kindly request you to take action to clean the area and also spread awareness among villagers to avoid using plastic bags.
I hope you will look into this matter soon.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Shivam Gupta
3. In your view, what type of person should be a Gram Panchayat member?
Answer.
A Gram Panchayat member should have the following values:
1. Honest/integrity:
Someone who does not misuse money or power, and should be honest in their work.
2. Helpful and caring:
He/she should be ready to listen to villagers’ problems.
3. Educated / Aware:
He/she should be educated, so that he/she can understand rules and government schemes.
4. Fair/impartial:
He/she should treat everyone equally, rich or poor.
5. Hardworking/dedicated:
He/she should visit different parts of the village to check what is needed.
6. Good communicator/speaker:
He/she should be able to explain plans and decisions to villagers.
4. Let us suppose that you study in a village school. The school is located next to a highway and students find it difficult to cross the road when they come to school or leave at the end of the day. What are the options to solve this issue? Which institutions in the Panchayati Raj can help you? What can the students do?
Answer.
Possible solutions to the above problems are:
- Build a speed breaker near the school
- Put zebra crossing lines
- Install traffic signs (“School Ahead”, “Slow Down”)
- Request a traffic police officer during school hours
- Build a foot over-bridge (if the road is very busy)
Which Panchayati Raj institutions can help?
The following are the roles of each panchayat level in the said problem:
1. Gram Panchayat:
- They can request speed breakers and signs.
- They can talk to the block officials.
2. Panchayat Samiti:
- They can approve funds for road safety measures.
3. Zila Parishad
- They can coordinate with the Public Works Department (PWD) and district authorities to build the foot over-bridge.
What can students do?
The following are the roles of students in the said problem:
- They can write a letter to the Sarpanch.
- They can request the Gram Sabha to discuss the issue.
- They can create awareness posters like “Drive Slow — School Zone”.
- They can follow safety rules while crossing.
Chapter-Wise Solutions of Class 6 Social Science
- Chapter 1 | Locating Places on Earth
- Chapter 2 | Oceans and Continents
- Chapter 3 | Landforms and Life
- Chapter 4 | Timeline and Sources of History
- Chapter 5 | India, That Is Bharat
- Chapter 6 | The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
- Chapter 7 | India’s Cultural Roots
- Chapter 8 | Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’
- Chapter 9 | Family and Community
- Chapter 10 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 1 Governance
- Chapter 11 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas
- Chapter 12 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas
- Chapter 13 | The Value of Work
- Chapter 14 | Economic Activities Around Us
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