Local Self-government

b) is correct. In 1992, the 74^th Constitutional Amendment was passed, which made it mandatory for state governments to transfer powers to urban local bodies and gave them constitution status.

a) is incorrect. This amendment pertained to changes in Fundamental Rights.

c) is incorrect. This amendment pertained to the inclusion of the word SOCIALIST in the preamble of our constitution.

d) is incorrect. This amendment pertained to granting constitutional status to rural local bodies in the country.

a) is correct. Gram Sabha is the body that consists of all eligible voters in a Panchayat. Hence, it is called self-government.

b) is incorrect. Non-voters are not included in the Sabha

c) is incorrect.

d) is incorrect, as a Panchayat Samiti is itself a “Panchayat of the Panchayats”.

Nagar Panchayats are similar to Municipal Corporations, but they are established in extremely small urban areas. By virtue of its development nature, they are no areas in Rajasthan that qualify as Nagar Panchayats.

Rajasthan was the first state in India to have a three tier Panchayati Raj system. It was adopted in Nagur district in 1959, and has since grown nationally.

The Sarpanch is elected by the Panchs, who in turn, have been elected to their position by the Gram Sabha. They chose a head among themselves, who becomes the Sarpanch.

The Pradhan is associated with Gram Panchayat. He is an elected individual, who serves as the connecting link between government officers and the village folk.

A Municipal Corporation in India operates in a city with a population greater than 100,000. Below the one lakh mark, the local body is called a municipal council.

The functions of a Village Panchayat are as follows:

1. Providing everyday facilities to households, like water supply and drainage

2. Providing funds and structures for the flourishing of the public spaces, like street lights, roads, small bridges and lavatories

3. Maintaining public spaces required for specific functions like libraries and funerals

4. Keeping the city and sidewalks clean

5. Granting permissions for allocation of residential property

6. Collecting taxes like house tax, water tax, professional tax etc.

1. The Zila Parishad is the third and top-most tier of the Panchayati Raj system in India. It represents all the Gram Panchayats and Block Samitis in the a single district.

2. The Zila Parishad works directly with the state government. It receives funds for various functions and collects taxes and other dues from the citizens

3. The members of Zila Parishad are the pradhans and up-pradhans at the block samiti level. Each block sends two representatives to the Zila Parishad.

1. A Cantonment Board is a local level body under the Ministry of Defence. It comprises of nominated and elected members from the Cantonment area

2. There are several ex-officio and nominated members in the Board eg. Garrison engineer, station commander, representative of district magistrate etc.

3. The Cantonment Board provides basic facilities like water, sanitation, primary education etc. however, it does not levy any taxes on the people

4. These are usually limited in number and set up in areas with high military concentration and concerns.

The Mayor of a city performs the following duties:

1. The Mayor is the head of Municipal Corporation. He chairs the meetings of the Corporation. He provides executive initiative and good governance to the city.

2. The Mayor also performs ceremonial functions by virtue of being the First Citizen of the City. Hence, he escorts the various high ranking officers that come to the city and perform other duties associated with protocol.

3. The Mayor is the voice of the city. He does not represent any majority party, but represents the common will of all councillors. Accordingly, he serves as the representative of the needs and issues faced by his city on myriad platforms.

1. Panchayat Samitis are the second tier in the rural local governments. These bodies are also called Block Samitis. They are composed of the pradhan and up-pradhan, who have been elected at the Gram Panchayat level within the block.

2. The Panchayat Samiti also has certain ex-officio members, like members of state legislative assemblies, members representing cooperative societies of farmers and other workers in the area and some members of the district board (Zila Parishad)

3. Since Panchayat Samitis are the “Panchayat of the Panchayats”, they usually work towards coordinating the development plans which are made at the village level. They evaluate these plans and tune them with regard to financial constraints and social welfare.

4. They also identify trends and issues that have emerged at the block level, and how they can be addressed.

1. The Nagar Palikas or Municipal Councils are urban local bodies, established under the 74^th Amendment Act, 1992. These bodies are established in smaller urban areas.

2. The members of the Municipal council are directly elected by the people. The district is divided into wards, and each ward selects a ward member for a tenure of 5 years. It also has certain nominated and some ex-officio members.

3. There is reservation of seats for SCs, STs and OBCs in the Council. There is also a uniform 33% reservation for women across the board, in the Municipal Council.

4. They perform the functions that fall under the subjects mentioned in the 12^th Schedule of the Constitution. These include

•Urban planning

•Land use regulation

•Roads and bridges

•Social development

•Public health, sanitation, solid waste management

•Fire departments

•Urban forestry etc.

Rural development is not possible without Panchayati Raj because

1. Rural communities are often COMPLEX and have their own sets of rules and customs, which a central or state government cannot understand. Local communities might operate under certain social codes, and be reluctant to give up their ideals. Panchayati Raj helps to alter/reconstruct policies of development proposed at the central level to meet the local needs.

2. Panchayati Raj is the level of government that is CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE. It is the tier of the government that people can approach most easily for a solution to their grievances. Hence, it is the tier that involves people most directly. Development of Panchayati Raj is essential for strengthening democracy and involving people in decision making, thereby making them responsible citizens and gives them a fair voice.

3. Panchayats can make the best use of local knowledge and have the best idea for the allocation of funds to specific programs. They can set the agenda for development in their village, based on the specific requirements of the community, thus making better use of economic resources allocated to their area.