Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance – Long Questions

🌿 Long Questions with Answers – Grassroots Democracy (Class 6 Social Science)

Section A: Basics of Governance (Q1–Q6)

Q1. Explain the concept of governance and how it is different from government.
Answer:
Governance is the process of decision-making and implementing policies for the welfare of society. It ensures that citizens’ needs are addressed through planning, rules, and accountability. Governance is broader than government because it involves not only elected leaders but also citizens, NGOs, and institutions.

• Government refers to the structure of authority, like Parliament or State Assemblies.
• Governance refers to how decisions are made, policies executed, and accountability ensured.

Example: The government builds a hospital, but governance ensures doctors, medicines, and facilities reach people effectively.

Q2. Why is governance important in a democratic country like India?
Answer:
Governance is the backbone of democracy because it ensures fair and equal distribution of resources. In India, governance:

• Protects citizens’ rights.
• Provides essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
• Ensures accountability of leaders.
• Allows citizens to participate directly in decision-making.

Without governance, democracy would remain only on paper. For example, while Parliament makes laws, it is governance that ensures these laws are implemented at the grassroots level.

Q3. Discuss the main features of good governance.
Answer:
Good governance means transparent, accountable, and people-centered administration. Its features include:

• Participation: Citizens actively engage in decision-making.
• Transparency: Decisions are open to public scrutiny.
• Accountability: Leaders are answerable for their actions.
• Rule of Law: Equality before law is maintained.
• Efficiency: Services are delivered effectively.
• Equity: All groups, including marginalized, benefit equally.

Example: A Panchayat that discusses village projects openly with the Gram Sabha reflects good governance.

Q4. What is grassroots democracy and why is it important?
Answer:
Grassroots democracy means democracy functioning at the lowest level—villages, towns, and neighborhoods. It empowers citizens to directly participate in decision-making.

Importance:

• Brings governance closer to people.
• Helps solve local problems like roads, sanitation, and drinking water.
• Trains citizens in democratic practices.
• Encourages women and marginalized groups to participate.

Example: Gram Sabhas in villages allow people to question Panchayat members directly. This makes governance transparent and people-centric.

Q5. Explain the relationship between decision-making and governance.
Answer:
Decision-making is central to governance because every action begins with identifying problems and finding solutions.

• In governance: Leaders decide which projects to prioritize.
• Implementation: Once decisions are made, policies are carried out.
• Accountability: Citizens evaluate whether decisions benefited the community.

Example: If a Panchayat decides to repair village roads, that decision shows governance in action. Its success depends on proper implementation and monitoring.

Q6. How does accountability strengthen democracy?
Answer:
Accountability means that leaders are answerable for their decisions and actions. It ensures honesty and reduces corruption.

• Citizens can question leaders in Gram Sabha or Municipal meetings.
• Leaders must explain how funds are used.
• Failure to perform may lead to losing elections.

Example: If villagers question misuse of money in a Gram Sabha, the Sarpanch must respond. This makes leaders responsible and strengthens democracy.

Section B: Local Self-Government (Q7–Q12)

Q7. Define local self-government and explain its significance.
Answer:
Local self-government means people managing their local affairs through elected bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities. It brings democracy to the doorstep of every citizen.

Significance:

• Addresses local problems quickly.
• Brings governance closer to people.
• Increases citizen participation.
• Helps marginalized groups gain representation.
• Reduces burden on higher governments.

Example: A Gram Panchayat ensuring drinking water supply reflects how local self-government improves lives.

Q8. What are the three levels of government in India? Provide examples.
Answer:
India has a three-tier system of government:

This division ensures power is decentralized and democracy functions effectively at all levels.

Q9. Differentiate between rural and urban local governance.
Answer:

Both systems aim at improving local life, but their scope differs based on population and needs.

Q10. What is decentralization? Why is it important in India?
Answer:
Decentralization means transferring power from higher authorities to local levels. It allows citizens to make decisions about their own community.

Importance in India:

• India is large and diverse, so local needs vary.
• Local leaders understand problems better.
• Ensures faster and effective solutions.
• Promotes democracy at the grassroots.

Example: Panchayati Raj in villages is a strong example of decentralization in India.

Q11. How do local governments raise funds?
Answer:
Local governments need money to function effectively. They raise funds through:

• Local taxes (house tax, water tax, market fees).
• Fines and license fees.
• Grants and aid from state and central governments.
• Donations from citizens or institutions.

Example: A Municipality may use property tax to maintain street lights and garbage collection. Without funds, no local development is possible.

Q12. Explain the democratic nature of local self-government.
Answer:
Local self-government is democratic because:

• Representatives are elected by citizens.
• Elections are held regularly and fairly.
• Citizens can question leaders in open meetings.
• Reserved seats ensure participation of women and weaker sections.

Example: In a Gram Sabha, villagers openly discuss and approve projects. This reflects direct democracy in action.

Section C: Panchayati Raj System (Q13–Q18)

Q13. Describe the three levels of Panchayati Raj in rural India.
Answer:
The Panchayati Raj has three levels:

1. Gram Panchayat (village level): Looks after daily needs of the village.
2. Panchayat Samiti (block level): Coordinates work among several Gram Panchayats.
3. Zila Parishad (district level): Supervises and funds Panchayat Samitis and implements large development projects.

This three-tier system connects villages with higher-level governance, ensuring local needs are heard at the district and state levels.

Q14. Explain the functions of Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
The Gram Panchayat manages village administration. Its functions include:

• Maintaining village roads and drainage.
• Providing clean drinking water.
• Running schools and health centers.
• Implementing government schemes.
• Collecting taxes for local needs.

Example: A Gram Panchayat building toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission shows its role in implementing national schemes locally.

Q15. What is the role of the Gram Sabha in Panchayati Raj?
Answer:
The Gram Sabha is the general assembly of all adults in a village. It is the foundation of democracy in rural India.

Functions:

• Approves plans prepared by Gram Panchayat.
• Checks how funds are spent.
• Questions the Sarpanch about projects.
• Discusses social issues like dowry or education.

The Gram Sabha ensures transparency and direct participation, making Panchayati Raj truly democratic.

Q16. Who is a Sarpanch? What are his/her responsibilities?
Answer:
The Sarpanch is the elected head of the Gram Panchayat. Responsibilities include:

• Leading Panchayat meetings.
• Supervising development projects.
• Maintaining law and order in the village.
• Representing the village in higher meetings.
• Ensuring funds are used properly.

The Sarpanch is the most important link between villagers and governance.

Q17. How does Panchayati Raj empower women?
Answer:
The Constitution reserves one-third of seats for women in Panchayats. This ensures they take leadership roles. Women leaders address issues like health, sanitation, and education effectively.

Example: In states like Bihar and Rajasthan, many women Sarpanchs have brought positive changes in their villages. Women’s participation makes governance more inclusive.

Q18. Why is Panchayati Raj important for India’s democracy?
Answer:
Panchayati Raj brings democracy to the village doorstep. It is important because:

• Villagers directly take part in governance.
• Local problems are solved quickly.
• It trains people in democratic practices.
• Encourages participation of women and weaker sections.

Without Panchayati Raj, rural India would remain disconnected from democracy.

Section D: Urban Local Governance (Q19–Q24)

Q19. Describe the types of urban local bodies in India.
Answer:
Urban governance in India is handled by three types of local bodies:

1. Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam): Governs large cities. Headed by a Mayor.
2. Municipality (Nagar Palika): Governs smaller towns and cities. Headed by a Chairperson.
3. Nagar Panchayat: Governs transitional areas moving from rural to urban.

Each body provides essential services like water, sanitation, and waste management.

Q20. What are the main functions of Municipal Corporations?
Answer:
Municipal Corporations handle the complex needs of big cities. Functions include:

• Managing waste disposal and drainage.
• Providing water and electricity.
• Maintaining roads, bridges, and transport.
• Running hospitals, markets, and parks.
• Planning urban development projects.

Example: The Delhi Municipal Corporation maintains roads, collects garbage, and runs hospitals.

Q21. How do Municipalities raise funds?
Answer:
Municipalities raise money through:

• Property tax, water tax, and trade licenses.
• Parking fees and fines.
• Grants from state and central governments.
• Loans and donations for special projects.

Without funds, cities cannot provide basic services like garbage disposal or public lighting.

Q22. Compare Municipality and Municipal Corporation.
Answer:

Both aim to improve urban life, but Corporations handle more complex needs due to population size.

Q23. What role do citizens play in urban governance?
Answer:
Citizens are key to urban governance. They participate by:

• Voting in elections.
• Attending public meetings.
• Paying taxes on time.
• Reporting civic issues like water shortage.
• Joining awareness campaigns.

Active participation ensures cities are better governed and services are delivered properly.

Q24. Why are Municipal Corporations important for large cities?
Answer:
Large cities have complex needs—traffic control, hospitals, waste management, and housing. Municipal Corporations manage these challenges.

• They ensure essential services like electricity and water.
• They handle large budgets and projects.
• They represent millions of people in governance.

Example: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation manages one of the world’s largest urban populations.

Section E: People’s Participation & Challenges (Q25–Q30)

Q25. How do people participate in governance apart from voting?
Answer:
Participation goes beyond voting once every five years. Citizens can:

• Attend Gram Sabha or municipal meetings.
• Raise issues of local concern.
• Join social movements and awareness campaigns.
• Pay taxes honestly.
• Volunteer for development projects.

This continuous involvement makes governance more democratic and responsive.

Q26. Explain the role of Gram Sabha in ensuring participation.
Answer:
The Gram Sabha allows villagers to directly participate in governance. Its roles include:

• Approving plans of the Gram Panchayat.
• Monitoring use of funds.
• Questioning leaders about their work.
• Discussing social issues like dowry or education.

Thus, the Gram Sabha makes governance transparent and participatory.

Q27. Why is awareness important for effective participation?
Answer:
If citizens are not aware of their rights, they cannot participate fully. Awareness ensures:

• People demand accountability.
• Citizens know about schemes and benefits.
• Exploitation and corruption are reduced.

Example: Awareness campaigns about women’s reservation in Panchayats have encouraged more women to contest elections.

Q28. Discuss the challenges faced by local governance in India.
Answer:
Local governance faces several challenges:

• Lack of funds for development projects.
• Corruption and misuse of money.
• Low awareness among citizens.
• Dominance of powerful families or groups.
• Poor participation of women and marginalized groups.

These challenges reduce the effectiveness of grassroots democracy.

Q29. How does participation of citizens strengthen democracy?
Answer:
Citizen participation ensures democracy remains strong and meaningful. It:

• Makes leaders accountable.
• Identifies real community needs.
• Reduces corruption and misuse of power.
• Builds trust between people and government.
• Ensures inclusive development.

Example: When villagers collectively decide on water conservation, it reflects strong democracy at work.

Q30. Summarize the importance of grassroots democracy in India.
Answer:
Grassroots democracy is essential for India because:

• It makes governance accessible to every citizen.
• Solves local problems effectively.
• Provides representation to women and marginalized groups.
• Strengthens unity and inclusiveness.
• Trains citizens in democratic practices.

Without grassroots democracy, India’s democracy would remain incomplete.

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