Telangana SCERT Solution Class VI (6) Social Studies Chapter 13 Village Panchayats.
( 1 ) Suppose you are a representative in your local government body , what issues would you raise ?
Firstly, I would raise the issue of insufficient drinking water facility. This stands as one of major problem that most of the people of the locality are facing in their day to day life. Secondly, ineffective management of waste disposal has not only resulted in the problem of drainage issue but it has also led to the rapid outbreak of diseases. Thirdly, the problem of sanitation has become vital issue that requires to be addressed in an effective manner. So, these are some of the major issues, that I would have raised, if I would have been a representative in my locality.
2 ) Do you think common people are able to participate in the process of decision making in your panchayat or municipality? Give some examples to illustrate your answer .
The Panchayat or municipality is mainly designed for the purpose of understanding our needs and solving our problems at the local level. Most importantly, this facilitates the participation of the common people in public affairs. As for instance, local people are more aware of the problems that are occurring in their area. So, by participating in the sphere of decision making , the common people can discuss about the local problems. For example, sanitation problem can be solved effectively by the municipality or panchayat ,which is also known by the term of local government. So, this enhances the participation of the ordinary people in the decision making process in our panchayat or municipality.
( 3 ) Why do you think only a few people attend Gram Sabha meeting ?
Only a few people attend the Gram Sabha meeting because people lack sufficient information about the meeting and only marginal of them turn up for the meeting. Most importantly, those who turn up for the meeting does not display adequate amount of interest in the proceedings . However, the main target of democracy is to ensure full participation of the people in the Gram Sabha meeting.So that a detailed discussion takes place about the report of the work that has been done in the preceding year and confirm whether the work wasconducted satisfactorily and furthermore a discussion is also required about the work that is required to be done in the upcoming year. But people lack sufficient awareness and those who takes part in the meeting does not depict enough interest in the proceedings.
( 4 ) Why are BPL lists read out in the Gram Sabha meeting ?
BPL mainly refers to those people who stands ‘ below poverty line ‘ . The main aim of reading out the BPL list in the Gram Sabha is to provide governmental assistance to those people whose financial conditions is not so stable. So, it is necessary to take the vital steps that is required for enhancing their living conditions. These governmental schemes are mainly proposed for the purpose of improving the welfare of the poverty – stricken people. Owing to these reasons, the BPL lists are read out in the Gram Sabha.
5 ) Find out about the problems being faced by dalit panchayat members and Sarpanches in your area and write a short essay about it.
In our locality, the dalit panchayat members portrayed a critical condition. As, they belonged from the minority group, due to this reason they had to face extreme discrimination on basis of their caste. Inspite of undertaking suggestive measures to exterminate untouchability, Dalit’s are still subjected to this form of untouchability and are mainly assigned with lower grade jobs . On the grounds of gender inequality, the women Sarpanches are subjected to severe difficulties . They had to face many problems on the basis of their gender. They are not allowed to compete in an equal manner with men. The women Sarpanches encounter problems not only on the grounds of gender but also because of prevalent caste biasness
6 ) Do you think Panchayats should raise more tax from the village to carry out development works or depend upon government funds?
In my opinion, if the Panchayats will raise more tax from the villagers then it will be difficult for them to pay such tax because the financial conditions of the villagers are not so stable. They have to indulge in various kinds of agricultural activities for the purpose of maintaining their livelihood. Due to these reasons, the Panchayats should not raise more tax from the villagers . Furthermore, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA ) is one of the scheme that facilitates the availability of some funds. But in the words of the Panchayats, it seems that these funds are insufficient for executing any kind of developmental works of the village. So, the government should take this issue into consideration and should try to provide more funds that will help in promoting the welfare of the villagers.
7 ) What challenges do dedicated Sarpanches face?
Sarpanch mainly refers to those persons who are the leading head of the panchayat. For the purpose of advancing the development , a Sarpanch has to encounter numerous problems. The primary responsibility of the Sarpanch is to provide adequate facilities and services to the villagers. But due to such an administrative system which is corrupted in nature, the Sarpanch has to go through severe difficulties in the sphere of advancement. Furthermore, there is a lack in the active participation, where all members of the panchayat does not actively participates in the sphere of planning .
8 ) Collect and tabulate the particulars of Ward Members, Deputy Sarpanch, Sarpanch and Village Secretary of your gram panchayat.
The Sarpanch refers to a person who is the leading head of the Gram Panchayat. His prime responsibility is not only to implement the major decisions of the panchayat but also to take care of the daily activities of the panchayat. Furthermore, the Sarpanch also has to bear the responsibility of the income and expenditure of the panchayat . So, the above points clearly portrays that the sarpanch has to bear tremendous responsibility.
The deputy or upa – sarpanch refers to one of the ward members who are elected by the sarpanch and ward members. The upa – sarpanch functions, when the sarpanch is not present .
Every panchayat also comprises of a Secretary, who is an employee of a Government department. The secretary plays an important role in maintaining the accounts and official record of the meetings.
( 9 ) Read the para under the title ‘ Gangadevipalli Panchayat ‘ of this chapter and write your comments.
Gangadevipalli village consists of eighteen different committees that are formed with the help of the Gram Sabha. These committees are mainly designed for the purpose of rendering essential services to the villagers. With the constant effort of these committees, it has been possible to acquire full enrollment in school, maximum achievement in the field of education, adequate supply of drinking water facilities, enrollment of majority of the family in the saving schemes, acquirement of complete sanitation in the village , complete vaccination provided to the majority of the children and imposition of ban on liquor consumption. Each villager would ensure an active participation in any one of the eighteen committees. Gram Sabha performs an essential role with respect to the developmental activities of the village.