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Class 11 Political Science Chapter 8 Local Government
Section-A Indian Constitution
Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. Who elects the members of the Gaon Panchayat?
Ans: The voters of the Gaon Panchayat.
2. Who is called the father of local self-government in India?
Ans: Lord Ripon.
3. Are local self-government institutions considered the small versions of government?
Ans: Yes.
4. Do local governments have sovereignty?
Ans: No.
5. What is the tenure of a Gaon Panchayat?
Ans: 5 years.
6. Is local self-government related to local problems?
Ans: Yes.
7. “Local government has been created as a result of decentralization in administration.” Is this statement true?
Ans: True.
8. Is local self-government a part of the State Government?
Ans: Yes.
9. When was the ‘Community Development Programme’ adopted?
Ans: In 1952.
10. Can the Gaon Panchayat make laws?
Ans: No, it cannot.
11. By what name are the members of a Municipal Corporation known?
Ans: Councillors.
12. What is the number of members in a Gaon Panchayat?
Ans: 10 members.
Note: The number of members in a Gaon Panchayat can vary depending on the population and state laws.
13. What percentage of the total seats are reserved for women?
Ans: One-third (33%) of the total seats.
Note: After later constitutional amendments and state policies, many states now reserve 50% seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions.
14. During British rule, where was the first municipality formed?
Ans: In Madras.
15. What are the autonomous institutions found in urban areas?
Ans: Municipal Corporation, Municipal Board, and Town Committee.
16. When was the Guwahati Municipal Corporation formed?
Ans: In 1974.
17. What is the maximum number of members in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation?
Ans: 60 members.
18. How many tiers of Panchayat system exist in present-day India?
Ans: Three-tier system.
19. When was the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act adopted?
Ans: In 1969.
B. Short Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 2)
1. What are the local self-government institutions in India?
Ans: The local self-government institutions are:
(a) Local self-government institutions in urban areas, such as Municipal Corporation, Municipal Board, and Town Committee.
(b) Local self-government institutions in rural areas, such as Zila Parishad, Anchalik Panchayat, and Gaon Panchayat.
2. Mention two functions of the Gaon Sabha.
Ans: Two functions of the Gaon Sabha are:
(a) To prepare various development plans for the village.
(b) To approve the annual budget of the village.
C. Medium Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Discuss the composition and functions of the Zila Parishad.
Ans: The Zila Parishad is at the top of the democratic decentralization system in India. The members of the Zila Parishad are directly elected by the people.
The functions of the Zila Parishad are as follows:
(a) To examine and approve the budget of the Panchayat Samiti.
(b) To supervise that the Panchayat Samiti works efficiently.
(c) To maintain coordination among the developmental schemes of the Panchayat Samiti.
(d) To advise the government regarding the developmental activities of the district, etc.
2. Mention the necessary conditions for the success of local self-government.
Ans: In India, modern local self-government is considered to be a contribution of the British. In 1882, the Governor-General Lord Ripon introduced reforms in the system of local administration and initiated local self-government in India. The necessary conditions for the success of local self-government are as follows:
(a) Local self-government is created by the central government. The success of local government depends on the encouragement and proper arrangements made by the central government.
(b) The government should provide the necessary funds to solve local problems.
(c) For local administration to be successful, the administrative authorities must perform developmental activities honestly without corruption.
(d) The success of local government depends on the intelligence, wisdom, and education of the local people.
(e) The State Government should periodically inspect the activities of local self-government institutions and provide guidance and advice.
3. Discuss the importance of local self-government.
Ans: Local self-government has been established in India as a system of democratic decentralization. The importance of local self-government, which began during the British period, has gradually increased. Its importance is mentioned below:
(a) The local government system reduces the workload of the Central and State Governments. It relieves the national government from dealing with many local problems.
(b) Local administration provides administrative and political education to the people.
(c) Through local administration, development can reach every corner of rural areas.
(d) Local self-government strengthens the foundation of democracy.
D. Essay Type Questions & Answers: (Marks for each – 6)
1. Discuss the characteristics of local self-government.
Ans: Local self-government refers to an administrative institution formed by elected and government-nominated members from among the qualified people of a particular village, town, or city in order to solve the problems of that specific area. Local self-government has several characteristics. These are:
(a) Local self-government is a legally organized institution. It has its own legal powers and functions.
(b) Local self-government is an independent institution. It possesses autonomy both in administrative and financial matters.
(c) Local self-government is related to local problems. It has been created for the development of local areas.
(d) Local self-government institutions are formed by local representatives elected by the local voters.
(e) Local taxation is a feature of local self-government. The money spent on developmental works carried out by the local authorities is collected from the people of that area in the form of taxes.
2. Discuss the composition and functions of a Municipality.
Ans: In 1956, the Government of Assam adopted the Assam Municipal Act. According to this Act, a Municipality is formed in municipal areas having a population of more than ten thousand. The total number of members in a municipality cannot be more than 30 and less than 10. There are two types of members in a Municipality: elected members and nominated members. The elected members are chosen by the local voters, while some members are nominated by the government. For the purpose of election, the municipal areais divided into several wards and one member is elected from each ward.
The functions of a Municipality are as follows:
(a) The Municipality is associated with public health and the solution of local problems within its area.
(b) It maintains and develops roads, bridges, footbridges, and culverts in the town.
(c) Supplying water to the urban population is one of its major functions.
(d) The Municipality is also involved in the spread of education in its area. It may establish schools from the primary level up to the higher secondary level.
(e) It establishes fire service centres within its area for fire prevention and firefighting.
3. Discuss the composition and functions of the Municipal Corporation.
Ans: A Municipal Corporation is generally established in large cities. It is formed by representatives elected by the voters of the city or municipal area. The maximum number of members in a Municipal Corporation is 60. For the purpose of election, the municipal corporation area is divided into several wards. Generally, one councillor is elected from about 7,500 people. If no person from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes is elected, then one member from the Scheduled Castes and another from the Scheduled Tribes may be nominated.
In law, the Municipal Corporation has two branches: the legislative branch and the executive branch. The legislative branch consists of the Corporation Council, the Standing Committee, and the Mayor.
The functions of the Municipal Corporation include the following:
(a) Taking various measures to protect the public health of the people in its area.
(b) Maintaining and developing roads, bridges, footbridges, and culverts in the city.
(c) Supplying pure drinking water to the people of urban areas.
(d) Establishing maternity welfare and child welfare centres.
(e) Planning the development of the city.
(f) Providing fire-fighting services.
(g) Carrying out urban afforestation and environmental protection activities.
(h) Implementing poverty eradication programmes.
(i) Registering births and deaths.
(j) Arranging recreational facilities in public places for the mental and spiritual development of the people and establishing gymnasiums.
(k) Providing care and maintenance for physically disabled and mentally challenged persons.
4. Discuss the composition and functions of the Gaon Panchayat according to the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994.
Ans: According to the Assam Panchayat Act of 1994, a Gaon Panchayat is formed with 10 members. One-third of the members must be women. This Act also makes provisions for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Gaon Panchayat has a President and a Vice-President. Its tenure is five years.
The functions of the Gaon Panchayat are as follows:
(a) To promote and extend agricultural development.
(b) To develop livestock, dairy, and poultry.
(c) To introduce land development and land reform programmes and ensure land conservation.
(d) To arrange minor irrigation facilities.
(e) To promote social forestry and farm forestry.
(f) To provide pure drinking water within its area.
(g) To implement rural electrification.
(h) To implement poverty eradication programmes.
(i) To establish libraries.
(j) To implement family planning programmes.
(k) To arrange primary education and adult education.
(l) To develop cottage industries.
(m) To undertake welfare schemes for physically disabled persons.
(n) To improve roads, drains, and other local infrastructure.
5. Why is local government necessary?
Ans: Local government refers to the government functioning at the village, town, or city level. It includes institutions such as the Gram Panchayat, Town Committee, and Municipal Corporation. These institutions fulfil the needs of the local people.
Local government is necessary for the following reasons:
(a) Bringing government closer to the people: Local government brings administration closer to the people. It understands local problems and needs that the central or state governments may not fully understand.
(b) Quick and effective solutions: Since local governments are very close to the people, they can take immediate action. Problems such as broken roads, electricity supply, garbage collection, and water supply can be solved quickly.
(c) Providing basic services: Local governments provide essential services such as clean drinking water, sanitation and drainage systems, local roads, schools, health centres, and parks. These services make daily life easier and more convenient.
(d) Increasing participation: Local government provides opportunities for local people to participate in meetings and decision-making processes. This increases cooperation, strengthens democracy, and encourages people to contribute to the development of their society.
(e) Reducing the burden of higher governments: By solving village and town-level problems, local governments reduce the workload of the State and Central Governments. This allows higher governments to focus on larger international issues.
(f) Developing a sense of responsibility: Local government develops a sense of responsibility among citizens for improving their own area. It makes people more aware and encourages them to work together for social development.
