Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 6 History Civics Chapter 2 Urban Local Self Government

Exercise

I. Fill in the blanks

Question 1: Big cities have Municipal Corporation as local self-government.

Answer: Municipal Corporation.

Large urban areas like Delhi or Mumbai require a big administrative body to manage their needs. This body is more powerful and has more resources than a small town council.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Big City = Big Name" (Municipal Corporation).
Exam Tip: Capitalize both words of the answer to show it is a formal name.

Question 2: The head of a corporation is called Mayor.

Answer: Mayor.

The Mayor is the first citizen of the city and represents the city at formal events. They are usually elected by the other members of the Municipal Corporation.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Mayor" rhymes with "Player" – the leader in the city's team.
Exam Tip: Don't confuse the Mayor (elected head) with the Commissioner (appointed official).

Question 3: The municipality arranges for checking food adulteration.

Answer: adulteration.

Adulteration means mixing cheap or harmful things into food items to make more profit. Local governments have inspectors who visit markets to ensure the food we buy is safe and pure.
Teacher's Tip: Adulteration means "Adding bad stuff" to food.
Exam Tip: Use this point if asked about the "Health and Safety" functions of a local body.

Question 4: Towns having ten to twenty thousand people have small 1 bodies known as Municipalities.

Answer: Municipalities.

Municipalities are meant for medium-sized towns that are growing but are not yet large cities. They perform similar duties to corporations but on a much smaller scale.
Teacher's Tip: Small Towns = Municipalities (or Municipal Committees).
Exam Tip: Remember the population range (10,000 to 20,000) to identify a Municipality.

Question 5: Tax on goods and animals brought into or taken out of the town is known as Octroi Duty.

Answer: Octroi Duty.

This was a traditional tax collected at the city gates whenever commercial goods entered the town. It helped the local government earn money to build and maintain local roads.
Teacher's Tip: Think of it as a "Gate Fee" for goods.
Exam Tip: Note that "Octroi" is specifically about goods "entering or leaving" a town.

II. Tick mark (✓) the right statements and cross (x) the wrong ones:

Question 1: Municipal corporations have more powers than the municipalities.

Answer: True -

Because they manage millions of people, corporations are given more freedom and authority by the state. They have larger budgets to build big projects like flyovers and hospitals.
Teacher's Tip: More people = More problems = More power needed.
Exam Tip: Always mark this True; the Corporation is the highest level of urban government.

Question 2: A person who has attained the age of 25 can vote in a municipal election.

Answer: True

In India, the minimum age to vote is 18, so anyone older than that, like a 25-year-old, can definitely vote. Being an active voter is the first step toward participating in local democracy.
Teacher's Tip: If you are over 18, you are a voter!
Exam Tip: Don't get confused by the number 25; since it's higher than 18, the answer remains True.

Question 3: The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor are elected for one year.

Answer: True

While the members of the corporation serve for five years, the Mayor is often elected every year to give others a chance. This rule can change slightly from one state to another within India.
Teacher's Tip: The Corporation is for 5 years, but the "Chair" (Mayor) can rotate every year.
Exam Tip: Follow the textbook's "True" for the one-year term to stay safe in exams.

Question 4: Record of births and deaths in a city are kept by the state government.

Answer: False

Keeping these vital records is actually a compulsory function of the local urban body. These records help the city plan for future needs like schools and hospitals.
Teacher's Tip: Local births/deaths = Local records.
Exam Tip: Birth and death registration is a "Compulsory Local Function," not a state one.

Question 5: The municipalities receive grants from the state government.

Answer: True

The money collected through local taxes is often not enough for big development projects. The state government provides extra financial "grants" to help build better infrastructure for the people.
Teacher's Tip: Grants are like "pocket money" from the state to the local body.
Exam Tip: Mention "grants" if asked for sources of municipal income.

III. Answer the following questions:

Question 1: Differentiate between a municipal corporation and a municipality.

Answer:
Municipal Corporation
1. Meant for big cities having large populations.
2. Have more power
3. Have more resources in hand
4. Deal with the state Government directly
Municipalities
1. Meant for small cities and towns.
2. Have less power
3. Have less resources
4. Work through the district administration

The main difference is the size of the area they manage and how much money they have to spend. Big cities need direct links to the state, while smaller towns work through the district level.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Corporation as a "High School" and Municipality as a "Middle School."
Exam Tip: Use a T-chart or two distinct headings to show the difference clearly.

Question 2: How are the two types of urban local bodies constituted ?

Answer: The cities with a population of upto 3 lakhs are managed by municipalities. The people of the city elect the members of a municipality. The number of members depends upon the size of the city. Seats are reserved for the SC, ST, OBC and women. The larger cities have Municipal Corporation. The members of a municipal corporation are elected in the same way as the members of a municipality. These members are called ‘councillors’. These councillors elect some other members, the aldermen who are respected citizens. The members elect a head called Mayor and also a Deputy Mayor.

Both bodies are made of people elected by the residents to ensure the local voice is heard. They also include respected experts called aldermen to provide wisdom to the council's decisions.
Teacher's Tip: Members are Councillors -> They elect the Mayor.
Exam Tip: Mention the "reservation of seats" for SC, ST, and women to show the inclusive nature of these bodies.

Question 3: List five main compulsory functions performed by a municipality or a municipal corporation.

Answer:
1. Keeping the city clean is the primary duty of a municipality. The municipality has to make arrangements for the removal of the garbage and waste. Drains are needed to flush out dirty water from the cities and towns.
2. The municiplities not only keep the cities clean but they also ! make arrangements for vaccination against smallpox and inoculation against diseases like cholera, plague and tuberculosis.
3. The municipalities also make arrangements for checking food adulteration.
4. A municipality opens hospitals, dispensaries and other medical centres in different localities where qualified doctors are employed.
5. One of the important functions of a municipality is to keep a record of all the births and deaths in the city. It helps in the planning of welfare services for the people.

Compulsory functions are tasks that the government *must* do for the survival and safety of the citizens. These focus heavily on health, sanitation, and record-keeping to keep the city organized.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the "5 Basic Needs": Cleaning, Health, Pure Food, Hospitals, and Records.
Exam Tip: Use a numbered list to clearly show you have provided all five functions.

Question 4: How do the municipalities get funds ?

Answer: Municipalities get funds by imposing various taxes such as:
1. Octroi Duty - Tax on goods and animals brought into or taken out of the town.
2. House Tax - Tax on houses in the town. This tax is fixed by the municipality according to the annual rental value of the houses.
3. Water Tax - Tax as charges for providing clean water for drinking. People who have municipality taps in their houses have to pay it.
4. Profession Tax - Lawyers, doctors and other professionals pay profession tax on their annual income.
5. Income from Municipal Property - Tax paid as rent by the shopkeepers and traders selling goods in the markets.
6. Entertainment Tax - Tax collected from those who provide different kinds of entertainment, e.g., cinema halls. They also receive annual financial aids and grants from the state government.

To provide services like water and cleaning, the government needs money from the citizens who use those services. This ensures that the people who benefit from city works are also the ones contributing to its cost.
Teacher's Tip: Income = Taxes (Gate/House/Water/Job) + Rent + State Aid.
Exam Tip: List at least four of these to provide a comprehensive answer on funding.

Question 5: Describe the relationship between the state/central government and the urban local bodies.

Answer: The urban local bodies are the training grounds for democracy. They help inculcate civic virtues among the people.The state government has the power to dissolve a corporation or a municipality if it does not perform its duties. The state government gives financial aid to the local bodies. It strictly keeps an eye on the use and misuse of funds. The local bodies cannot levy or raise a new tax or raise any public or private loan without the permission of the state government.

The state government acts like a supervisor or parent to the local bodies, providing help but also maintaining discipline. This relationship ensures that local power is used responsibly for the benefit of the community.
Teacher's Tip: The State is the "Boss" who provides money but can also "Fire" (dissolve) the local body.
Exam Tip: Use the word "dissolve" to explain the extreme power the state government holds.

Textbook Keywords

1. Metropolitan: Is related with a big and important city of a country.
These are large urban areas with high population density and complex economies. Examples in India include cities like Chennai and Kolkata.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the "Metro" - it's for big cities.
Exam Tip: Link this term to "high importance" in your descriptions.

2. Municipal corporation: Is the local self-governing body in a large city.
It handles large-scale tasks like city-wide transport and massive sewage systems. It is the most complex form of local administration.
Teacher's Tip: Corporation = City Giant.
Exam Tip: Use this for cities with populations over 10 lakhs.

3. Aldermen: They are members of the municipal corporations and municipalities who are elected from among the popular and respected citizens of that city.
These are experienced individuals chosen for their wisdom rather than just through a general public vote. They help guide the younger or less experienced council members.
Teacher's Tip: Aldermen are the "Senior Advisors" of the city.
Exam Tip: Mention they are "respected citizens" to explain why they are chosen.

4. Sanitation: It means keeping an area clean and free from germs and dirt.
This is the number one priority for preventing diseases in crowded urban environments. It includes garbage collection and maintaining clean public toilets.
Teacher's Tip: Sanitation = Health + Cleanliness.
Exam Tip: Define it as a "primary duty" of urban local bodies.

5. Crematoria: They are those area where dead bodies are burnt.
Maintaining these areas is an essential public service for city residents. It is a part of the city's infrastructure managed by the municipality.
Teacher's Tip: It comes from the word "Cremate" (burning the deceased).
Exam Tip: Recognize this as a "Public Works" category function.

6. Property Tax: It is the tax on houses and land.
People who own buildings or plots pay this every year to help the city provide water and electricity. The amount is usually based on how big or valuable the property is.
Teacher's Tip: House Tax is a type of Property Tax.
Exam Tip: Mention that it is a "source of income" for the municipality.

7. Entertainment Tax: It is the tax on entertainment activities such as Cinema halls, circuses, etc.
When you buy a movie ticket, a small part of that money goes to the city government. This fund helps pay for local parks and public fairs.
Teacher's Tip: You pay this while having "fun"!
Exam Tip: Give "Cinema halls" as a specific example of where this is collected.

8. Education tax: It is collected for educational activities. Toll taxes They are collected for the use of roads and bridges.
Education tax helps run local government schools for poor children. Toll taxes are collected from drivers to help repair the very roads they are driving on.
Teacher's Tip: Toll = Fee for using a road or bridge.
Exam Tip: List these when asked about "various taxes" imposed by urban bodies.

Additional Questions

A. Fill in blanks:

Question 1: The local self-governing bodies which look after the needs of big cities and towns are

Answer: Municipalities and Municipal corporation.

These two bodies share similar goals but work in different sized areas. While the corporation handles mega-cities, the municipality takes care of smaller towns.
Teacher's Tip: Always name both if the question mentions "cities AND towns."
Exam Tip: Use the plural for "Municipalities" to be grammatically correct.

Question 3: A mayor holds office for a term varying between 1 year and 5 years.

Answer: 1 year, 5 years.

The term is decided by the state's specific laws to ensure political stability. Some cities prefer a shorter term to allow more leaders to gain experience.
Teacher's Tip: It is a range: 1 to 5.
Exam Tip: Be sure to write both numbers (1 and 5) for full credit.

Question 4: The state government supervises the working of municipal corporations.

Answer: state government.

The state government provides the legal framework and funding for these city bodies. They also have the power to intervene if a city is not being managed well.
Teacher's Tip: The State is the "Parent" of the local body.
Exam Tip: Identify the "State Government" as the supervisor of urban bodies.

Question 5: Some seats in the municipal corporation are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Answer: reserved.

This system of reservation ensures that marginalized groups get a chance to participate in leadership. It makes the local government more representative of all the people living in the city.
Teacher's Tip: "Reserved" means set aside for a special purpose.
Exam Tip: You can also mention that seats are reserved for women to show extra knowledge.

Question 6: The municipal corporation establishes and maintain public parks and education centers.

Answer: public parks.

These are places where city dwellers can relax, exercise, and enjoy nature. Maintaining these green spaces is vital for the mental and physical health of the urban population.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the park where you go to play - that is city-maintained.
Exam Tip: List "parks" and "education centers" as examples of urban maintenance.

B. Match the following:

Column A
1. Municipal corporation
2. Mayor
3. Aldermen
4. Organizing fairs
5. Municipality

Column B
(a) respected citizens
(b) optional function of municipal corporation
(c) large cities
(d) towns
(e) head of municipal corporation

Answer:
1. Municipal corporation - (c) large cities
2. Mayor - (e) head of municipal corporation
3. Aldermen - (a) respected citizens
4. Organizing fairs - (b) optional function of municipal corporation
5. Municipality - (d) towns

Matching these terms helps us understand the structure and leadership of urban self-government. For example, knowing that "Aldermen" are "Respected Citizens" explains their role as honorary advisors.
Teacher's Tip: Match the "Head" (Mayor) and the "Place" (Large Cities/Towns) first.
Exam Tip: Always re-write the full pair together in your answer sheet.

C. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1: Big cities like Delhi and Mumbai have town area committees/municipalities/municipal corporations.

Answer: Big cities like Delhi and Mumbai have municipal corporations.

Cities with more than 10 lakh people always have a Municipal Corporation. This is because they have complex needs that require a powerful administrative body.
Teacher's Tip: Large population = Corporation.
Exam Tip: Choose "Corporation" for any city that is a state capital or financial hub.

Question 2: The mayor/municipal commissioner/alderman presides over the meetings of the municipal corporation.

Answer: The mayor presides over the meetings of the municipal corporation.

The Mayor acts as the chairman and ensures that the discussions follow the proper rules. They lead the political decision-making process for the entire city.
Teacher's Tip: "Presides" is a fancy word for "Chairing" or "Leading" a meeting.
Exam Tip: Associate the "Mayor" with "Meetings" in your notes.

Question 3: The chief executive officer of a municipal corporation is known as the mayor/municipal commissioner/sarpanch.

Answer: The chief executive officer of a municipal corporation is known as the municipal commissioner.

The Commissioner is a high-ranking officer appointed by the state to actually carry out the work. While the Mayor makes the rules, the Commissioner implements them.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Commissioner as the "CEO" and the Mayor as the "Chairman."
Exam Tip: The "Municipal Commissioner" is always an appointed government officer.

Question 4: The total number of members of a municipal corporation of a city depends on the population of the city/state/country.

Answer: The total number of members of a municipal corporation of a city depends on the population of the city.

More people in a city mean there are more wards (local neighborhoods), so more councillors are needed to represent them. This ensures that every citizen's voice has a chance to be heard.
Teacher's Tip: Bigger city = More people = More members.
Exam Tip: Always choose "population of the city" as the determining factor.

Question 5: A municipal corporation is elected for a period of 2/10/5

Answer: A municipal corporation is elected for a period of 5 year.

The five-year term is standard for most democratic bodies in India, including the state and central governments. It gives the elected members enough time to plan and finish long-term city projects.
Teacher's Tip: 5 years is the "magic number" for most Indian elections.
Exam Tip: Memorize "5 years" for all levels of local government (Rural and Urban).

D. State whether the following are true or false.

Question 1: Port trust is an urban local self-governing body.

Answer: True.

Cities located on the coast with busy ports have special boards called Port Trusts. These manage the infrastructure and services specifically needed for the port area.
Teacher's Tip: "Port" = For ships; "Trust" = Governing body.
Exam Tip: This is an example of a "specialized" urban local body.

Question 2: The members of the corporation are directly elected by the adult citizens of the city.

Answer: True.

Every person in the city who is 18 years or older gets to vote for their local councillor. This direct vote is the heart of local urban democracy.
Teacher's Tip: "Directly elected" means people vote with their own hands.
Exam Tip: Mark this True for any elected body where the "citizens" vote.

Question 3: Some seats are reserved for women in municipal corporations.

Answer: True.

Reservation for women ensures that they have a fair say in how their city is developed and kept safe. It empowers women to take leadership roles in their own communities.
Teacher's Tip: In most states, 1/3 (33%) of the seats are reserved for women.
Exam Tip: Always mark this True as it is a mandatory constitutional requirement.

Question 4: The municipal corporation is not responsible for the supply of safe drinking water.

Answer: False. Correct: The municipal corporation is responsible for the supply of safe drinking water.

Supplying clean water is actually one of the most important compulsory duties of the corporation. They maintain the pipes and filtration plants that bring water to your home.
Teacher's Tip: If you get water from a tap in a city, the Corporation is responsible!
Exam Tip: Whenever a "Not" is added to a basic public service, the statement is usually False.

Question 5: Municipality is the local self-governing body for smaller cities and towns.

Answer: True.

Smaller urban areas with populations ranging between 20,000 to 5 lakhs have Municipalities. They perform similar work to corporations but handle a smaller area.
Teacher's Tip: Municipality = Small Towns; Corporation = Mega Cities.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "smaller cities and towns" to identify a Municipality.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1: Name the local self-governing bodies that look after the urban areas.

Answer: The local self-governing bodies which look after the urban area are as follows:
1. Municipal Corporations
2. Municipalities
3. Town area committees
4. Cantonment boards
5. Improvement trusts
6. Port trusts

These different types of bodies are designed to meet the specific needs of different urban zones. For example, Cantonment boards manage areas where military units are stationed.
Teacher's Tip: Remember: Corp, Muni, Town, Cantt, Trust, Port.
Exam Tip: List at least three of these if the question asks for "bodies" in plural.

Question 2: Who is mayor?

Answer: Mayor is the head of the municipal corporation.

The Mayor acts as the leader of the city council and ensures that all urban development plans are followed. They are often chosen from among the elected councillors.
Teacher's Tip: Mayor = City Boss.
Exam Tip: Define them simply as the "head" of the Corporation.

Question 3: What is the functions of the mayor?

Answer: He presides over the meeting and looks after the work of the corporation with the help of the executives officers like Municipal commissioner, chief medical officer etc.

The Mayor leads the planning sessions where city projects are debated and approved. He also acts as a coordinator between the people's representatives and the professional government staff.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Mayor as the "Moderator" of the city assembly.
Exam Tip: Mention "presiding over meetings" as a primary function.

Question 4: Who are aldermen?

Answer: They are members of the municipal corporation and municipalities who are elected from among the popular and respected citizens of that city. They are generally experienced.

These individuals are not directly voted in by the public but are chosen by the elected councillors for their expertise. Their experience helps the corporation make wiser decisions for the city's future.
Teacher's Tip: Aldermen are the "Wise Elders" of the council.
Exam Tip: Use the words "popular" and "respected" to describe who can become an Alderman.

Question 5: What are municipalities?

Answer: Smaller cities and towns with population ranging between 20,0005,00,000 have municipalities as the local self-governing body.

Municipalities manage local issues like street lighting, small clinics, and town parks. They ensure that town life is comfortable for people living in growing urban centers.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a Municipality as a "Mini-Corporation" for towns.
Exam Tip: Be precise with the population figures (20,000 to 5 lakhs) to get full marks.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: How is a municipal corporation composed? Who are its members?

Answer: A municipal corporation is composed in following manner.
1. The Mayor is the head of the municipal corporation. The mayor and deputy mayor are elected by the members of the municipal corporation from among themselves.
2. The corporation sets up a number of committee to look after the day to day work.
3. There is a chief executive officer or municipal commissioner, who is appointed by the state government.
4. There are also number of members called aldermen. They are elected from among the popular and respected citizens of that city.
5. MPs and MLA also form part of the corporation.
6. Some seats are reserved for the scheduled caste, scheduled Tribes and women. A municipal corporation is elected for a period of 5 years.

This mix of members ensures that both political leaders and administrative experts work together. By including local MPs and MLAs, the city also stays connected to the state and national government plans.
Teacher's Tip: Members = Mayor + Councillors + Commissioner + Aldermen + MPs/MLAs.
Exam Tip: List at least four of these different types of members for a "brief" answer.

Question 2: Mention five functions of the municipal corporation related to public health and sanitation.

Answer: The main five functions performed by municipal corporation are following.
1. Caring for health of citizens, provide treatment facilities, opening hospital, appointment of doctors etc.
2. Repair and construction of roads, street, providing electric facilities etc.
3. Provision for education by opening and looking after primary school.
4. To save people from disaster of fire and fire brigades are maintained.
5. Organizing cultural events like sports, exhibitions, fairs etc.

These functions ensure that people can live in a safe and healthy environment without fear of disease or accidents. Providing education and cultural events also helps improve the standard of living for urban residents.
Teacher's Tip: Think of anything that keeps a city "Clean, Healthy, and Smart."
Exam Tip: Number your points 1 to 5 to show you have met the question's requirement.

Question 3: The municipal corporation is responsible for the maintenance of public works and services in the city. Give any five examples to explain this.

Answer: The municipal corporation is responsible for these public works and services:
1. Construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, public buildings, markets, crematoria and graveyards.
2. Construction and maintenance of water supply system.
3. Arrangements for street lighting.
4. Maintenance of fire’brigade.
5. Demolition of dangerous or illegal buildings.
6. Maintaining records of births and deaths.

Public works are the physical structures that make city life possible, like the roads we drive on and the water we drink. Services like fire brigades and building safety checks protect citizens from everyday dangers.
Teacher's Tip: Public works = "Hard" things (roads/pipes); Services = "Help" (fire/records).
Exam Tip: Use the words "construction" and "maintenance" to describe these functions.

Question 4: List the optional functions of the municipal corporation.

Answer: Optional functions of the municipal corporation are following:
1. Establishment and maintenance of public parks, gardens, zoos, theatres, picnic resorts, libraries, museums.
2. Construction and maintenance of old-age homes, orphanages, night shelters, rest houses.
3. Supply of cooking gas and milk.
4. Organizing cultural events like sports, exhibitions, fairs, etc.
5. Maintenance of a cheap public transport system.

Optional functions are tasks the city does to make life extra comfortable and cultured, rather than just surviving. While water is a "must," a zoo or a museum is a "nice-to-have" that makes a city special.
Teacher's Tip: Optional = "Fun and Extra" services.
Exam Tip: Don't mix these up with compulsory ones like "Sanitation" or "Roads."

G Picture study:

Question 1: Who is the head of the municipal corporation? How is he or she elected?

Answer: The Mayor is the head of the municipal corporation. He/she is elected by members of the municipal corporation from among themselves.

The Mayor acts as the "first citizen" of the city and represents it at formal functions. Because they are chosen by other councillors, they must have the support of the majority of the local government.
Teacher's Tip: Mayor = Leader of the city council.
Exam Tip: Specify that the election is done "from among themselves" to show the indirect process.

Question 2: For which categories of community are seats of the corporation reserved?

Answer: Seats are reserved for following categories.
1. Scheduled castes
2. Scheduled Tribes
3. A few seats are reserved for women.

Reservation is a way to ensure that people from all backgrounds and genders have a voice in city planning. It helps create a fair and representative government that works for every citizen.
Teacher's Tip: Reservation = Fair play for everyone.
Exam Tip: List all three categories (SC, ST, and Women) to provide a complete answer.