# Grassroots Democracy – Part 2

## Overview
This chapter explains how local government functions in rural areas through the Panchayati Raj system. Using the example of Lakshmanpur village, it introduces the three-tier structure of rural governance — Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad — and highlights the role of community participation in democratic decision-making and development.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Local Governance in Villages
- India has over 600,000 villages with about two-thirds of its population living in rural areas.
- Villagers face daily issues like road repairs, irrigation, and land disputes.
- It's not practical to rely on the state or national government for every problem — hence local governance is vital.

### 2. Panchayati Raj System
- A **three-tier system** of rural self-governance:
- **Village level**: Gram Panchayat
- **Block level**: Panchayat Samiti
- **District level**: Zila Parishad
- These bodies manage areas like health, housing, water, roads, education, and social welfare.
- Enables people to participate directly in governance and solve local problems.

### 3. Gram Panchayat
- Base unit of Panchayati Raj, closest to the people.
- **Gram Sabha** includes all adult voters of the village; they directly elect the Gram Panchayat members and the Sarpanch (village head).
- Encourages direct participation in decision-making.
- Supported by:
- **Panchayat Secretary**: Handles meetings, keeps records.
- **Patwari**: Manages land records; often holds maps that are generations old.

### 4. Exemplary Sarpanchs
- **Dnyaneshwar Kamble** (Maharashtra): First transgender Sarpanch, focused on public service.
- **Vandana Bahadur Maida** (Madhya Pradesh): First woman Sarpanch in her village; advocated for education and sanitation.
- **Popatrao Baguji Pawar** (Hiware Bazar, Maharashtra): Transformed his drought-prone village through water conservation and reforestation.

### 5. Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiatives
- Children’s voices are also encouraged in local governance through:
- **Bal Sabhas** and **Bal Panchayats**
- Campaigns against child labour and child marriage
- Promoting school attendance
- Example:
- **Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat** (Sikkim): Built kitchen facilities and school walls for children’s safety.
- **Children’s Parliament** (Rajasthan): Educated children about democracy and empowered them to solve real issues.

### 6. Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad
- **Panchayat Samiti** (Block level): Connects multiple Gram Panchayats; coordinates planning and development.
- **Zila Parishad** (District level): Oversees the entire district's development.
- Includes elected members and local MLAs.
- Ensures fair representation by reserving seats for women and disadvantaged groups.
- Helps implement central schemes like **Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana** (rural roads).

### 7. Ancient Governance Ideas
- Kautilya’s *Arthashastra* proposed a similar administrative system thousands of years ago:
- **Sangrahaṇa** (10 villages)
- **Kārvaṭika** (100 villages)
- **Droṇamukha** (400 villages)
- **Sthānīya** (800 villages)
- Shows India's long history of structured local administration.

## New Terms

| Term | Definition |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Panchayat | Local self-government body in a village |
| Gram Sabha | Meeting of all adult voters in a village |
| Sarpanch | Elected head of the Gram Panchayat |
| Patwari | Village-level official responsible for land records |
| Panchayat Samiti | Block-level local government coordinating multiple villages |
| Zila Parishad | District-level government body |
| Bal Sabha | Village children’s meeting |
| Watershed Conservation | Protecting and managing rainwater and natural water systems |
| Reservation (Seats) | Set number of positions reserved for women or disadvantaged groups |
| *Arthashastra* | Ancient Indian text on statecraft and governance by Kautilya |


## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **What is the name of the village-level local government body?**
- A) Zila Parishad
- B) Panchayat Samiti
- C) Gram Panchayat
- D) State Assembly
**Answer**: C) Gram Panchayat
**Explanation**: The Gram Panchayat is the local body at the village level.

2. **Who elects the members of the Gram Panchayat?**
- A) District Collector
- B) Prime Minister
- C) Gram Sabha
- D) Governor
**Answer**: C) Gram Sabha
**Explanation**: The adult voters in the village (Gram Sabha) elect the Panchayat members.

3. **What is the term used for the elected head of a Gram Panchayat?**
- A) Minister
- B) Patwari
- C) MLA
- D) Sarpanch
**Answer**: D) Sarpanch
**Explanation**: The Sarpanch or Pradhan is the elected head of the Gram Panchayat.

### Medium (2)

4. **Which of these is a function of the Panchayat Samiti?**
- A) Managing international relations
- B) Organizing elections in cities
- C) Coordinating development plans of several villages
- D) Making central government policies
**Answer**: C) Coordinating development plans of several villages
**Explanation**: Panchayat Samiti works at the block level and supports planning across villages.

5. **What is the role of the Patwari in a village?**
- A) Teaching students
- B) Conducting elections
- C) Maintaining land records
- D) Making roads
**Answer**: C) Maintaining land records
**Explanation**: The Patwari keeps land ownership and cultivation records.

### Difficult (3)

6. **Which state’s Gram Panchayat built kitchens in schools for clean midday meals?**
- A) Rajasthan
- B) Sikkim
- C) Kerala
- D) Uttar Pradesh
**Answer**: B) Sikkim
**Explanation**: Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat in Sikkim took these child-friendly initiatives.

7. **What is one goal of the Child-Friendly Panchayat initiative?**
- A) Build malls in villages
- B) Train children for sports
- C) Eliminate child labour and marriage
- D) Prepare for national elections
**Answer**: C) Eliminate child labour and marriage
**Explanation**: These Panchayats promote children’s rights and education.

8. **Which development model was used in Hiware Bazar to solve water problems?**
- A) Solar power model
- B) Rainwater harvesting and watershed conservation
- C) Flood control projects
- D) River linking model
**Answer**: B) Rainwater harvesting and watershed conservation
**Explanation**: The Sarpanch followed Anna Hazare’s model to make the village green and prosperous.

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **Match the following ancient and modern administrative units:**
1. Sangrahaṇa
2. Kārvaṭika
3. Droṇamukha
4. Sthānīya

A) 10 villages
B) 100 villages
C) 400 villages
D) 800 villages
**Answer**:
- 1 → A
- 2 → B
- 3 → C
- 4 → D
**Explanation**: These categories were defined in Kautilya’s Arthashastra to organize administration.

10. **Why is one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions significant?**
**Answer**:
It ensures women have a voice in local governance and decision-making. It promotes gender equality and enables women to influence important issues like health, education, and sanitation in rural areas.
**Explanation**: Reservation brings inclusion and representation of diverse groups, strengthening democracy.

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