Class 6 SST — Chapter 11 — Grassroots Democracy: Part 2 — Local Government in Rural Areas 🌾
🌿 What is Local Government?
Local government means government at the village level.
👉 It is the closest form of government to the people.
👉 It solves daily life problems of villagers.
📌 Why needed?
Big governments (state/central) can’t manage small village issues
Villagers understand their own problems better
🏡 Panchayati Raj System
India follows the Panchayati Raj System (rural local government).
📊 It has 3 levels:
Village Level → Gram Panchayat
Block Level → Panchayat Samiti
District Level → Zila Parishad
👉 This system ensures power is shared with people.
👥 Gram Sabha
📌 Gram Sabha = All adult members of the village
👉 Every person 18 years and above can participate.
🧠 Functions:
Approves plans of Gram Panchayat
Discusses village problems
Keeps check on Panchayat
⭐ Remember:
Gram Sabha = Real power of democracy
🏠 Gram Panchayat
📌 Gram Panchayat = Elected body of the village
👉 Members are called Panchs
👉 Head is called Sarpanch / Pradhan
🧠 Functions:
Build roads, drains, wells
Provide clean drinking water
Maintain street lights
Keep village clean
Collect taxes
⭐ Easy Trick:
“Panchayat = Works for village development”
👑 Sarpanch
📌 Leader of Gram Panchayat
👉 Elected by the people
🧠 Duties:
Conduct meetings
Take decisions
Lead development work
🏢 Panchayat Samiti (Block Level)
📌 Works at block level (group of villages)
🧠 Functions:
Coordinates Gram Panchayats
Implements government schemes
Helps in development planning
👉 Headed by Block Development Officer (BDO)
🏛️ Zila Parishad (District Level)
📌 Works at district level
🧠 Functions:
Looks after entire district development
Manages big projects
Supervises Panchayat Samiti
⚖️ Importance of Local Government
✅ Promotes democracy at grassroots level
✅ People directly participate
✅ Quick solution to local problems
✅ Better development of villages
🧠 Easy Memory Tricks
👉 3 Levels Trick:
“Village → Block → District”
👉 Hierarchy Trick:
Gram Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zila Parishad
👉 Power Trick:
People → Gram Sabha → Panchayat
✨ Key Words to Remember
Local Government – Government at village level
Gram Sabha – All adults in village
Gram Panchayat – Elected village body
Sarpanch – Head of Panchayat
Panchayat Samiti – Block level body
Zila Parishad – District level body
📌 Short Summary (Quick Revision)
👉 Local government works at village level
👉 Panchayati Raj has 3 levels
👉 Gram Sabha is the most powerful body
👉 Gram Panchayat does development work
👉 Higher levels help in bigger planning