Panchayat Rej
polity ncert class 6 chapter -5 ( short Revision)
Gram Sabha
➤ The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat. This could be only one village or a few villages.
➤ Anyone who is 18 years old or more and who has the right to vote is a member of the Gram Sabha.
➤The Gram Sabha is a key factor in making the Gram Panchayat play its role and be responsible.
➤ It is the place where all plans for the work of the Gram Panchayat are placed before the people.
➤The Gram Sabha prevents the Panchayat from doing wrong things like misusing money or favouring certain people.
➤It plays an important role in keeping an eye on the elected representatives and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.
Gram Panchayat
➤ Every village Panchayat is divided into wards, (i.e., smaller areas). Each ward elects a representative who is known as the Ward Member (Panch).
➤ All the members of the Gram Sabha also elect a Sarpanch who is the Panchayat President.
➤The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat.
➤The Gram Panchayat is elected for five years.
➤The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha
➤ This Secretary is not an elected person but is appointed by the government.
➤ The Secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat and keeping a record of the proceedings.
Functions of Gram Panchayat
➤ The Gram Panchayat meets regularly, and one of its main tasks is to implement development programmes for all the villages that come under it.
➤ The work of a Gram Panchayat includes:
1. The construction and maintenance of water sources, roads, drainage, school buildings, and other common property resources.
2. Levying and collecting local taxes.
3. Executing government schemes related to generating employment in the village.
➤ Sources of funds for the Panchayat are:
1. Collection of taxes on houses, marketplaces, etc.
2. Government scheme funds received through various departments of the government through the Janpad and Zila Parishad.
3. Donations for community works, etc.
Levels of Panchayat
➤ The Gram Panchayat is the first level of democratic government in rural areas.
➤ Janpad Panchayat or the Panchayat Samiti is (the second level) at the Block level. The Panchayat Samiti has many Gram Panchayats under it.
➤ The District Panchayat or the Zila Parishad is above the Panchayat Samiti, and it is the third level.
➤The Zila Parishad makes developmental plans at the district level. With the help of Panchayat Samitis, it also regulates the money distribution among all the Gram Panchayats.
➤ Each state in the country has its own laws with regard to Panchayats.
