Maharashtra Board Class 6 Civics Chapter 3 Rural Local Government Bodies PDF Download

3. Rural Local Government Bodies

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The administration in our country is carried on at three levels. The administration for the entire country is carried out by the Union Government. Subjects such as defence, foreign affairs, currency, etc. are the jurisdiction of the Union Government. At the second level is the State Government. The State Government of Maharashtra makes laws related to law and order, health, education, etc. The local government bodies work at the third level.

Local government bodies play an important role in the regulation of social life. In our country, along with local bodies, the Union Government and the State Government also participate in the work of regulation. The local government bodies are broadly classified as rural and urban local bodies. In this chapter, we will learn about the rural local government bodies. The Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad are the rural local government bodies that are collectively known as the 'Panchayati Raj Institutions'.

3.1 Gram Panchayat

The Gram Panchayat looks after the administration of the village. If the population of a village is less than 500, two or more such villages come under one Gram Panchayat. It is then called a 'Group Gram Panchayat'. The Gram Panchayat carries out the functions relating to water supply, electricity, registration of births, deaths and marriages.

The Office Bearers And Officers Of The Gram Panchayat

Sarpanch: The elections to a Gram Panchayat are held every five years. The elected members elect a Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch from among themselves. The meetings of the Gram Panchayat are held under the chairmanship of the Sarpanch. It is his responsibility to implement the development schemes of the village. The members of the Gram Panchayat can bring a motion of no confidence against a Sarpanch who is not carrying out his responsibilities properly. In the absence of the Sarpanch, the Deputy Sarpanch looks after the work of a Gram Panchayat.

Gram Sevak: He is the secretary of the Gram Panchayat. He is appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad. His main function is to look after the day to day functioning of the Gram Panchayat, to explain its development schemes to the residents of the village, etc.

Gram Sabha: The assembly of all the voters of the village or rural area is the Gram Sabha. It is the most important organization of the people at the local level.

It is binding to hold at least six meetings of the Gram Sabha in each financial year. The responsibility of calling the meetings of the Gram Sabha is with the Sarpanch. In the first meeting of each financial year, the Gram Sabha discusses the annual report and accounts submitted by the Gram Panchayat. The suggestions of the Gram Sabha are conveyed to the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha gives sanction to the development schemes proposed by the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha has the authority to decide upon which individuals deserve the benefits of Government schemes.

Women's Participation In The Gram Sabha

A meeting of the women of a village is held before the meeting of the Gram Sabha. Here, women feel free to discuss a variety of issues. During the Gram Sabha, they speak with greater concern about issues such as drinking water, prohibition, employment, fuel, health, etc. They also suggest measures for bringing about necessary changes.

The Source Of Revenue Of The Gram Panchayat

The Gram Panchayat carries out many schemes and programmes for the welfare of the village. For this purpose, it requires money. The Gram Panchayat raises these funds through different taxes.

House tax

Water tax

Tax on Weekly Market

Pilgrimage tax

Grants from Zilla Parishad and State Government

Teacher's Note

The Gram Panchayat is like the village government. Just like your parents manage your home, the Gram Panchayat manages the village.

Exam Trick

Remember: Gram Panchayat = Village level, Panchayat Samiti = Block level, Zilla Parishad = District level. Three levels going up like stairs.

Points to Remember

Gram Panchayat is the lowest level of rural government.

Sarpanch is the head of Gram Panchayat.

Gram Sabha is a meeting of all village voters.

Gram Panchayat gets money from taxes on houses and water.

At least six meetings must be held every year.

3.2 Panchayat Samiti

All the villages within a taluka form a development block. The body that looks after the functioning of the development block is the Panchayat Samiti. It also acts as a link between the Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayat.

The Office Bearers Of The Panchayat Samiti

Elections to the Panchayat Samiti are held every five years. The elected members elect from among themselves, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti. The Chairman has the responsibility of calling the meetings and conducting the business of the meetings. In the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman presides over the meetings.

The Functions Of The Panchayat Samiti

The Panchayat Samiti prepares a plan of the schemes to be implemented in the development block. It is binding on the Panchayat Samiti to hold at least one meeting every month.

The Panchayat Samiti receives a certain amount of money from the district funds. It also receives grants from the State Government to carry out the development schemes of the development block.

Primary education

Helping the farmers improve agriculture and livestock

Cleanliness of roads, disposal of waste

Providing clean drinking water

Vaccination

Roads, gutters, wells, borewells

Promotion of handicrafts and cottage industries

Providing financial aid to the weaker sections

Teacher's Note

Panchayat Samiti works for many villages in one block. It is like a bigger office that helps all the village councils work together properly.

Exam Trick

Remember: Panchayat Samiti = Many villages joined together. Like your school combines many classrooms to run well.

Points to Remember

Panchayat Samiti works at the block level.

Chairman is the head of Panchayat Samiti.

It links the Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad together.

At least one meeting must be held every month.

It helps villages with education, water, health, and farming.

3.3 Zilla Parishad

Every District has a Zilla Parishad. At present, the State of Maharashtra has 36 districts but only 34 Zilla Parishads. The reason is that Mumbai City District and Mumbai Suburban District do not have a rural population. Therefore, they do not have Zilla Parishads.

The Office-Bearers Of The Zilla Parishad

Elections to the Zilla Parishad are held every five years. The elected representatives choose a President and a Vice-President from among themselves. The President of the Zilla Parishad presides over the meetings of the Zilla Parishad. He exercises control over business conducted during the meetings. He also controls the financial transactions of the Zilla Parishad.

He has the authority to undertake appropriate expenditure from the Zilla Parishad's funds. The Vice-President carries out these duties in the absence of the President.

Chief Executive Officer: The decisions taken by the Zilla Parishad are implemented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad. He is appointed by the State Government.

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How Does The Zilla Parishad Function?

The work of the Zilla Parishad is carried out through different committees - the Finance Committee, Agriculture Committee, Education Committee, Health Committee, Water Management and Sanitation Committee, etc. The Women and Child Welfare Committee takes up issues related to problems faced by women and children.

Teacher's Note

Zilla Parishad is the biggest government for villages in a district. It decides big plans like building schools and hospitals for all villages in the district.

Exam Trick

Remember: Zilla = District. Zilla Parishad = District council. It is the top of the three levels of village government.

Points to Remember

Zilla Parishad works at the district level.

President is the head of Zilla Parishad.

It has 50 to 75 members in its government.

It makes big plans for education, health, water, and farming.

Mumbai districts do not have Zilla Parishad because they are cities, not villages.

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