Grassroots Democracy : Class 6 : SST
SUMMARY
Democracy means rule by the people. In India, it works at three levels:
Central Government – for the whole country
State Government – for each state
Local Government – for villages, towns, and cities
Grassroots democracy = Democracy at the local level.
It allows people’s direct participation in governance of their village, town, or city.
Local Self-Governments are:
Rural areas → Panchayati Raj System
Urban areas → Municipalities / Corporations
Panchayati Raj System (73rd Constitutional Amendment, 1992):
Gram Sabha (village assembly of all adults)
Gram Panchayat (elected representatives at village level)
Block Samiti / Panchayat Samiti (block level)
Zila Parishad (district level)
Municipal Government (74th Constitutional Amendment, 1992):
Municipalities → towns
Municipal Corporations → big cities
Importance of grassroots democracy:
Brings decision-making closer to the people.
Ensures participation of women, weaker sections, and local groups.
Helps in solving local problems quickly (roads, water, sanitation).
SHORT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: What does “democracy” mean?
A: Rule by the people.
Q: Name the three levels of government in India.
A: Central, State, and Local.
Q: What is grassroots democracy?
A: Democracy at the local level.
Q: What is the rural local government called?
A: Panchayati Raj system.
Q: What is the urban local government called?
A: Municipality or Municipal Corporation.
Q: When was the Panchayati Raj system strengthened?
A: By the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
Q: Which body includes all adult members of a village?
A: Gram Sabha.
Q: Who elects the members of the Gram Panchayat?
A: The people of the village.
Q: Who is the head of a Gram Panchayat?
A: The Sarpanch.
Q: What is the function of a Zila Parishad?
A: To look after development of the district.
Q: Which body governs towns?
A: Municipalities.
Q: Which body governs big cities?
A: Municipal Corporations.
Q: What is the importance of Gram Sabha?
A: It allows people to directly participate in decision-making.
Q: Who maintains cleanliness in urban areas?
A: The municipality or municipal corporation.
Q: What is the main feature of grassroots democracy?
A: People’s participation in governance.
Q: Give one example of a local issue solved by Panchayats.
A: Repair of village roads or wells.
Q: What is Panchayat Samiti?
A: Local government body at block level.
Q: What ensures women’s participation in Panchayati Raj?
A: Reservation of seats for women.
Q: Who controls local markets and licenses in cities?
A: Municipal corporation.
Q: Why is grassroots democracy important?
A: Because it strengthens democracy by involving people at the local level.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Explain grassroots democracy.
A: Grassroots democracy refers to democratic functioning at the local level where people directly take part in governance through Panchayati Raj in villages and municipalities in towns/cities.
Q: What are the three levels of government in India?
A: Central Government (whole country), State Government (each state), Local Government (villages, towns, cities).
Q: Describe the structure of the Panchayati Raj system.
A: It has three levels: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), Zila Parishad (district).
Q: What is the role of Gram Sabha in village administration?
A: Gram Sabha includes all adult villagers; it approves plans, discusses problems, and monitors the Gram Panchayat.
Q: How are Gram Panchayat members elected?
A: By direct voting of the people in the village.
Q: Mention three functions of a Gram Panchayat.
A: Maintaining village roads, drinking water supply, and sanitation.
Q: What is the role of Panchayat Samiti?
A: It coordinates the work of Gram Panchayats in a block and implements development schemes.
Q: Describe the functions of Zila Parishad.
A: It supervises Panchayat Samitis, manages funds, and oversees development projects in the district.
Q: What is the difference between Municipality and Municipal Corporation?
A: Municipality governs towns, while Municipal Corporation governs larger cities.
Q: List four functions of a Municipality.
A: Garbage collection, street lighting, public health, maintaining roads.
Q: How does grassroots democracy ensure inclusion?
A: By reserving seats for women, SCs, STs, and weaker sections.
Q: What are the benefits of local self-government?
A: Quick solutions to local problems, active participation of citizens, and better governance.
Q: Why was the 73rd Amendment Act important?
A: It gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj and ensured regular elections.
Q: Give examples of urban local government activities.
A: Cleaning drains, providing water, managing traffic, running hospitals.
Q: How is democracy strengthened by grassroots democracy?
A: People directly participate, feel responsible, and hold leaders accountable.
Q: Who is the head of a Municipal Corporation?
A: The Mayor.
Q: Explain the importance of people’s participation in Gram Sabha.
A: It ensures transparency, accountability, and that decisions reflect villagers’ needs.
Q: What challenges does grassroots democracy face?
A: Corruption, lack of funds, low awareness, and political influence.
Q: How do Panchayats raise money?
A: Through taxes on houses, shops, and government grants.
Q: Compare rural and urban local governments.
A: Panchayati Raj works in villages (Gram Panchayat, Samiti, Zila Parishad), while municipalities work in towns/cities (Municipality, Corporation).
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Democracy means:
a) Rule of one
b) Rule of people ✅
c) Rule of king
d) Rule of military
The lowest level of government in India is:
a) Central
b) State
c) Local ✅
d) District
Grassroots democracy is practiced at:
a) Parliament
b) Village level ✅
c) Supreme Court
d) National level
The Panchayati Raj system works in:
a) Cities
b) Villages ✅
c) States
d) National Capital
The 73rd Amendment Act was passed in:
a) 1985
b) 1992 ✅
c) 1950
d) 2000
Who is the head of a Gram Panchayat?
a) Mayor
b) Sarpanch ✅
c) Prime Minister
d) Mukhiya
Which body includes all adult members of a village?
a) Gram Sabha ✅
b) Zila Parishad
c) Municipality
d) Parliament
Panchayat Samiti functions at:
a) District level
b) Block level ✅
c) Village level
d) State level
Zila Parishad works at:
a) City
b) District ✅
c) Village
d) Colony
Which amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj?
a) 42nd
b) 44th
c) 73rd ✅
d) 74th
Urban local governments are formed under:
a) 72nd Amendment
b) 74th Amendment ✅
c) 71st Amendment
d) 70th Amendment
Who heads a Municipal Corporation?
a) Collector
b) Mayor ✅
c) MLA
d) Sarpanch
Which body governs towns?
a) Municipality ✅
b) Municipal Corporation
c) Panchayat Samiti
d) Zila Parishad
Which body governs big cities?
a) Gram Panchayat
b) Municipal Corporation ✅
c) Zila Parishad
d) Gram Sabha
Gram Sabha consists of:
a) Elected representatives only
b) All adult villagers ✅
c) Only men
d) Teachers and priests
Which local body manages hospitals and schools in cities?
a) Gram Panchayat
b) Municipality ✅
c) Parliament
d) Panchayat Samiti
Seats in Panchayati Raj are reserved for:
a) Men only
b) Women, SC, ST ✅
c) Soldiers
d) None
Funds for Panchayats come from:
a) World Bank
b) Taxes and grants ✅
c) Only donations
d) Only shops
The head of Zila Parishad is called:
a) Mayor
b) Chairperson ✅
c) MLA
d) Collector
Grassroots democracy ensures:
a) Military rule
b) People’s participation ✅
c) Dictatorship
d) Centralisation
