Chapter-5 Panchayati Raj

1. What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?

Explanation:

The water issue had gotten seriously out of hand. The hand pump water had gone much below the point, up to which the ground had been bored. The taps barely had any water in them. To collect water from the Suru river, women had to go 3 miles. They intended to proceed with the development of the watershed.

2. What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?

Explanation:

The Gram Sabha is an essential institution of local self-government in India, and it serves as a platform for the participation of citizens in decision-making at the village level. The Gram Sabha is responsible for approving and implementing plans for economic development and social justice and ensuring the transparency and accountability of local governance. The importance of the Gram Sabha lies in its ability to promote grassroots democracy and enable citizens to voice their concerns and opinions about issues affecting their lives.

In my opinion, all members of the Gram Sabha should attend Gram Sabha meetings because it is an opportunity for everyone to participate in the decision-making process and have their voices heard. Every member of the community has a stake in the development and governance of the village, and it is essential to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the process.

Furthermore, the participation of all members in Gram Sabha meetings can ensure that decisions are made in a democratic and transparent manner, with a broad range of viewpoints and opinions taken into account. This can help to ensure that the needs and interests of all members of the community are considered, and that decisions are made in the best interests of the community as a whole.

3. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

Explanation:

The Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat are both institutions of local self-government in India, and they are linked in that the Gram Sabha elects the members of the Gram Panchayat and plays a key role in the decision-making process of the Panchayat.

The Gram Sabha is a general assembly of all adult members of a village, and it meets at least twice a year to discuss and approve the village development plan, and to monitor the implementation of government programs and schemes at the local level. The Gram Sabha also has the power to recommend candidates for election to the Gram Panchayat and can hold the Panchayat accountable for its decisions.

On the other hand, the Gram Panchayat is an elected body of representatives responsible for the administration of a village or a group of villages. The Gram Panchayat is responsible for implementing government schemes, providing basic services such as healthcare, education, water supply, sanitation, and maintaining local infrastructure such as roads and public buildings. The Panchayat also has the power to levy taxes, collect revenue, and implement development plans approved by the Gram Sabha.

The Gram Panchayat is accountable to the Gram Sabha for its actions and decisions, and the Gram Sabha has the power to recall the elected members of the Panchayat if they fail to carry out their duties. Thus, the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat are linked in that the former elects the latter and plays a crucial role in monitoring and evaluating its performance.

4. Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the following.

a)Why it was taken up

b) Where the money came from

c) Whether or not the work has been completed.

Explanation:

Example task: Construction of a new community center in a village

a) Why it was taken up: The Gram Panchayat took up the task of constructing a new community center in the village to provide a gathering place for social events, cultural activities, and meetings. The old community center was in a dilapidated condition and could not accommodate a large number of people. The new center was expected to promote community cohesion and provide a platform for cultural and social exchange.

b) Where the money came from: The funds for the construction of the new community center were provided by the government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. The Gram Panchayat also contributed some of its funds for the project.

c) Whether or not the work has been completed: The work on the new community center has been completed. The center has a large hall with a capacity of 200 people, a kitchen, and separate washrooms for men and women. The community center is now being used for various social and cultural events, and it has become a focal point for the village community.

5. What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

Explanation:

Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat are both local-level bodies in India that are involved in the governance of rural areas. However, there are some key differences between the two.

A Gram Sabha is a village-level assembly comprising of all the adult members registered in the voter list of a village or a group of villages within a Panchayat area. The Gram Sabha is a platform for the villagers to participate in the democratic decision-making process and to discuss matters related to the development of their village. It is an institution of self-governance, and it functions as a forum for discussing and deciding on various issues that affect the village community. The Gram Sabha elects members to the Gram Panchayat.

On the other hand, a Gram Panchayat is a local-level elected body that represents the village community and is responsible for the development of the village. It is made up of elected representatives who are responsible for carrying out the decisions made by the Gram Sabha. The Gram Panchayat is headed by a Sarpanch or a President who is elected by the members of the Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat is responsible for providing basic services like water supply, sanitation, primary education, and health services to the villagers.

6. Read the following news item.

Nimone is a village on the Chaufula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured lad to hospital for treatment. The FIR recorded by the police said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks. The storage tanks were constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat, so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes.

Adapted from Indian Express, May 1, 2004

a. Why was Bhagvan beaten?

b. Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?

Explanation:

a. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad was beaten because he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks, which were constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat to ensure equal distribution of water. However, the group of seven men, who were allegedly from upper castes, opposed this and attacked Bhagvan with sticks, iron rods, and axes. Bhagvan alleged that the upper caste men told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Bhagvan to the hospital for treatment. An FIR was recorded by the police regarding the incident.

b. Based on the information provided, it appears that the incident involving Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad is indeed a case of discrimination. The fact that Bhagvan was beaten for insisting that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks, which were constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat to ensure equal distribution of water, suggests that there may be some discriminatory practices at play. Bhagvan alleged that the upper caste men were against the idea of equal distribution of water and told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes. This indicates that there may be a caste-based discrimination issue in the village, where some upper caste individuals are denying basic amenities like water to lower caste individuals. Such discrimination goes against the principles of equality and social justice enshrined in the Constitution of India and needs to be addressed.

7. Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?

Explanation:

Watershed development is an approach to natural resource management that focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of land, water, and other natural resources in a particular area. It involves activities such as soil conservation, afforestation, water harvesting, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. The objective of watershed development is to improve the ecological health of a particular area, while also enhancing the livelihoods of the people who live there.

Some of the benefits of watershed development include:

1.Improved water availability: By promoting water harvesting and conservation measures, watershed development can help increase the availability of water for irrigation, drinking, and other uses.

2.Soil conservation: Watershed development activities such as contour plowing, afforestation, and terrace farming can help prevent soil erosion and degradation, thereby improving soil fertility and agricultural productivity.