Chapter 12 Class 6 Social Science Solutions NCERT,
Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Chapter 12 Class 6 Social Science,
Class 6 Social Science Chapterwise Complete Solutions,
Summary: Chapter 12: Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas
In a democracy like India, people should take part in how their country is run. This idea is called participatory democracy.
Earlier, we learned how the Panchayati Raj Institution works in villages. Now we will learn how it works in cities and towns, which are usually bigger, more crowded, and more complicated.
Why are cities more complex?
Because the cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai have:
- Very large population
- Different communities (different languages, religions, jobs)
- Bigger needs (big roads, streetlights, drainage systems, traffic control, etc.)
Levels of Government (from bottom to top):
We can imagine India’s government like a big pyramid:
1. Local Government(closest to the people)
Urban: Municipal Corporation / Municipal Council / Nagar Panchayat
Rural: Panchayati Raj (Gram Panchayat, etc.)
2. State Government:
3. Union (Central) Government – at the national level.
Earlier, we studied the rural side of local government. Now we will see the urban (city) side of local government.
Urban Local Bodies:
Local government in cities is called Urban Local Bodies.
These are decentralised, which means power is shared and decisions are made closer to the people who are affected.
What are Wards and Ward Committees?
Cities and towns are divided into small parts called wards.
People living in each ward choose a ward representative.
What do Urban Local Bodies do?
They perform many important tasks, like:
- Taking care of city infrastructure
- Roads
- Streetlights
- Drainage
- Water supply
- Collecting garbage and waste management
- Maintaining burial grounds
- Checking government schemes
- Collecting local taxes and fines
- Planning for the city’s economic and social development
Duties of citizens in Local Urban bodies:
People must cooperate and participate in the local government:
Examples:
- We must follow the rules for waste segregation.
- We must report problems like water leakage.
- We should keep the surroundings clean
When people cooperate and participate, city work becomes easier and faster.
Types of Urban Local Bodies:
Based on population, there are three types of Urban Local Bodies-
1. Municipal Corporation (Mahanagar Nigam)
For cities with more than 10 lakh people
Examples: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Indore, etc.
2. Municipal Council (Nagar Palika)
For cities with 1 to 10 lakh people
3. Nagar Panchayat:
For small towns with smaller populations
Services of Urban Local Bodies:
They provide many services, such as:
- Property tax collection
- Water charges
- Solid waste management
- Trade and business licenses
- Fire services
- Marriage certificates
- Tree cutting permissions
- Water tanker and debris removal
- Grievance (complaint) services
The big questions?
1. What are urban local bodies, and what are their functions?
Answer.
Local government that works in urban areas are called "urban local bodies". They take care of local problems in cities and towns in a decentralized manner through participatory democracy.
Examples of urban local bodies:
- Municipal Corporation (for big cities like Mumbai or Chennai)
- Municipal Council (for medium towns)
- Nagar Panchayat (for small towns)
Functions of The Urban Local Bodies:
Urban local bodies help make the city clean, safe, and comfortable. They collect garbage and keep streets clean.
- They repair roads and streetlights.
- They supply water to homes.
- They maintain parks and playgrounds.
- They look after hospitals, schools, and markets.
- They plan new buildings and roads.
Example:
If there is a broken streetlight in your lane, the Municipal Corporation sends workers to fix it.
If garbage is not collected, the ward office arranges for cleaning.
2. Why are they important in governance and democracy?
Answer.
Urban local bodies are important because they help people take part in how their city is run. They bring the government closer to the people.
The following are reasons for their importance:
1. Fast solution of the problem:
They solve local problems quickly, like water leakage or dirty roads.
2. Citizen participation:
Citizens can complain, suggest, or take part in improving the city.
3. Local solutions:
They help the government understand what people need.
4. Public scrutiny:
They make sure tax money is used for public services in urban bodies.
Example:
If people in a neighbourhood want a new park, they can request their ward councillor, who takes the issue to the Municipal Corporation. This shows how people participate in democracy.
Questions, activities, and projects
1. On your way to school, you and your friends notice that a water pipe is leaking. A lot of water is being wasted on account of the leak. What would you and your friends do in such a situation?
Answer.
If we notice a leaking water pipe, as a responsible citizen, we should not ignore it because clean water is very precious.
What we can do:
First, we will try to fix it out on our own. If it is beyond repair by us, we will inform/complain to the Municipal Corporation / Water Department helpline of the city.
We will also inform the local representative, that is, our ward councillor, about the problem.
In mean meantime, we will put the signboard of pipe leaking for the safety of the people who are passing through it.
After some time, we will again check whether the problem is solved or not. If not, we will complain again to the ward representative.
2. Invite a member of an urban local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.
Answer.
The main role of the member of an urban body is to look after the needs of the people in their ward and solve local problems like garbage, water supply, streetlights, and roads.
In the meeting with the member of an urban local body, I will ask the following questions:
- What are your main responsibilities in our ward?
- What do you do to make the city sustainable?
- How do you solve issues like garbage collection or water leakage?
- How can students and citizens help you keep the area clean?
- How is money (taxes) used to improve our area?
- What are the biggest challenges you face in the city?
- How can we report emergencies or problems quickly?
- How do you plan new facilities like parks or footpaths?
These questions will ensure the effective discussion.
3. Discuss with adult members of your family and neighbourhood, and make a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies.
Answer.
Adults ( above 18 age) expect urban local bodies to keep the city safe, clean, and well-managed.
List of expectations:
The following is are list of expectations:
- Regular garbage collection.
- Clean and safe drinking water.
- Well-maintained roads and streetlights.
- A proper drainage system is needed to avoid waterlogging in the rainy season.
- Good public transport and safe footpaths.
- Parks, playgrounds, and community spaces.
- Quick response to complaints.
- Clean markets and safe food.
- Control of pollution and open garbage dumping.
- Safe working environment for youth, especially women.
4. Make a list of characteristics of a good urban local body.
Answer.
A good urban local body works for sustainability. It works for the welfare of the people, the environment, and for economy.
Characteristics:
The following are the some main characteristics of a good urban local body:
- Quick action on complaints (like water leakage or garbage).
- Cleanliness and proper waste management.
- Making the city green and pollution-free.
- Transparent use of money and public funds.
- Good planning for future needs—roads, parks, hospitals.
- Regular communication with citizens.
- Fair decisions without corruption.
- Ensures safety, proper lighting, and traffic control.
- Encourages people to take part in city decisions.
5. What are the similarities and differences between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies?
Answer.
Similarities:
- Both are local governments.
- Both help people solve local problems.
- Members are elected by the people.
- Provide services like roads, water, cleanliness, and development.
- Encourage people to participate in democracy directly.
Example:
A village Panchayat repairs a village road; a Municipal Corporation repairs a city road.
Differences:
1. Panchayati Raj works in villages, whereas Urban Local Bodies work in towns and cities.
2. Panchayati Raj has three levels: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad, whereas Urban Local Bodies have three types: Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Nagar Panchayat.
3. Panchayati Raj looks after rural needs like farms, wells, and village roads, whereas Urban Local Bodies look after urban needs like traffic, drainage, streetlights, and garbage.
4. Panchayati Raj works for fewer people and simpler needs, whereas Urban Local Bodies more people, more complex needs.
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
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon