Dunes International School

Academic Session 2023-2024

Lesson 4 (Notes) Panchayati Raj (Social and Political Life)
Name: __________________________ Subject: Social Studies
Class: 6 Sec:
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Answer the following questions.

1. What is the composition of block samite?

At the block level, it is known as the panchayat samiti or a block samiti. A block consists of 20 to 60
villages in a state and block samiti has many gram panchayats under its super vision. The Block
development officer to supervise the development of blocks.
2. What are the functions of Zila Parishad?
Zila Parishad prepares plans for the developments of the district. It implements development or
welfare programs and ensures that all the gram panchayats receive fund.
3. Distinguish between Gram Sabha and Gram panchayat?
Every Gram Panchayat is divided into several wards consisting of a group of households or families.
Each ward elects a representative called the Ward member or Panch. All the Panchas elects a
president called the Sarpanch or the President. The ward Panchas and the Sarpanch form the Gram
Panchayat.
Gram Sabha is the general body of the citizens of entire village. A Gram Sabha consists of all men and
women of a village or few small villages, who have reached the age of 18 years and above.
4. What is the role gram panchayat secretary?
The Gram panchayat has a secretary who is also the secretary of Gram Sabha. He is not elected by the
people but appointed by the government. He serves a s link between the people and the government.
5. Who is Block Development officer?
Block Development officer is a secretary of Panchayat Samiti or Block samite. He/she supervise the
development of a block.
6. Describe any five functions of the Gram panchayat.
 To improve the condition of the village and people living in villages.
 To provide basic amenities like roads, schools and electricity.
 To handle construction and maintenance of roads.
 To provide clean drinking water and water for irrigation.
  Maintaining records of birth and deaths.
7. What are the sources of Income of gram panchayat?
 A part of the income comes from taxes on houses, shops, fairs and purchase or sale of cattle and
property.
 The state government provides funding to the Gram panchayat.
 A small part of the fund comes from donations given by villagers for community development
projects.
 Other contributions comes from the fines that are levied on people guilty of petty crimes.
8. How has Panchayati Raj Empowered women?

Special programs are conducted in the villages, block and district level for the upliftment of women.

 In 1993, 33 per cent seats were reserved for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. This paved the
way for the election of around one million women at the village, block and district levels.
 From 2009, 50 per cent of seats have been reserved for women. This important step empowered
women and ensured their participation in the decision making process.
9. Explain three tire system of Panchayati Raj.
 Zila Parishad: - It is the apex body of the three tier system of the Panchayat raj system in India. It
consist of all the chairman of the Panchayat Samities in a district. It examines and coordinate the
activities of all Panchayats Samities in the District.
 Panchayat Samiti: - It is the middle tier of the Panchayat Raj system. The members are elected by all
Sarpanch of the village panchayat. Panchayat Samiti cooperate and coordinate with Block
Development Officer (BDO)
 Gram Panchayat: - Gram Panchayat is the third tier of the Panchayati Raj System. Every Gram
Panchayat is divided into several wards consisting of a group of house hold or families, the Ward
panchas and Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat. It implement programs in the villages.
10. In what ways does Panchayati raj system uphold the democratic principles of our country?
 The Panchayati raj system upholds the democratic principles of our country, which implies that it is
run as a government by the people, for the people and of the people even at the lowest levels.
 The Indian constitution allows to have its own laws for the panchayats.
 The panchayat brings about prosperity and development to the people living in villages.
 Everyone feels that they are responsible enough to participate in the country’s administration.
 People living in the villages become aware of many political, health, environment and social issues.
 The Panchayat raj helped in the empowerment of villagers especially those of women. Many villages
these days have women as Sarpanch.