NCERT Solutions Class 11 Polity Chapter 8 Local Governments – This article includes the free NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Polity Chapter 8 Local Governments. It will help the students of Class 11 to learn the solutions and ace their exams. It has been developed by the subject matter experts at GFG, according to the latest CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, and guidelines. It help the students of Class 11 create a solid conceptual base for Polity Chapter 8 Local Governments.
The solutions to all the exercises in Class 11 Polity Chapter 8 Local Governments of your NCERT textbook have been collectively covered in NCERT Solution for Class 11 (2024-2025).
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Polity Chapter 8: Local Governments – In Between Questions
How does local government strengthen democracy? (Page – 179)
Answer:
Local government strengthens democracy by promoting citizen engagement, accountability, responsiveness, innovation, community building, and decentralization of power. These factors contribute to a vibrant and more resilient system that reflects the needs and different aspirations of the citizens.
In the example given above, what do you think the Government of Tamil Nadu should have done? (Page – 179)
Answer:
The Tamil Nadu government aligned with the principles of good governance. Good local governance may include the promotion of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the governance with the effective delivery of the services. The issues related to local governance were resolved by the different policy reforms, strengthing the institutional powers with the increased capacity. They also promoted collaboration in the different tiers of local governance to ensure efficient services as well.
Both Nehru and Dr. Ambedkar were not very enthusiastic about local government bodies. Did they have similar objections to local governments? (Page – 182)
Answer:
Nehru and Dr. Ambedkar had certain reservations aspects in the local government. Jawaharlal Nehru had a vision of a strong and centralized state with some significant powers in and only for the national government. His ideas overshadowed the ideas of the decentralized governance structures. On the other hand, Dr. Ambedkar acknowledged the importance of local self-governance in Indian society within the context of the caste system. He was concerned about the local governance system to remove the existing social injustice in the country.
What was the constitutional provision about local governments before 1992? (Page – 182)
Answer:
Before 1992; the Constitution of India assigned the local government subjects to the state governments with the Directive Principles of State Policy. This system was non-justiciable and had an advisory nature into it. Local governments also did not have any power and resources of their own.
Which were the States that had established local government during the 1960s and 1970s ? (Page – 182)
Answer:
Some states established local governments during the 1960s and 1970s including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Identify some of the powers that your State government has delegated to panchayats. (Page – 187)
Answer:
There are some powers that our State government has delegated to panchayats including economic development, social justice, taxes, implementation of different schemes, district-level planning, and staff control.
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Polity Chapter 8: Local Governments – Exercise
Constitution of India visualised village panchayats as emits of self-government. Think over the situation described in the following statements and explain how these situations strengthen or weaken the panchayats in becoming units of self-government.
(a) Government of a State has allowed a big company to establish a huge steel plant. Many villages would be adversely affected by the steel plant. The Gram Sabha of one of the affected villages passed a resolution that before establishing any big industries in the region, village people must be consulted and their grievances should be redressed.
(b) The government has decided that 20% of all its expenditure would be done through the panchayats.
(c) A village panchayat kept on demanding funds for a building for village school, the government officials turned down their proposal saying that funds are allocated for certain other schemes and cannot be spent otherwise.
(d) The government divided a village Dungarpur into two and made a part of the villages Jamuna and Sohana. Now the village Dungarpur has ceased to exist in the government’s books.
(e) A village panchayat observed that water sources of their region are depleting fast. They decided to mobilise village youth to do some voluntary work and revive the old village ponds and wells.
Answer:
The matter is related when the state government fails to consult with the Gram Panchayats for a certain development. The panchayat institution may be weakened as a result. The gram sabha always passes a resolution that the village must be consulted with the state government. The state government has a choice to assist the panchayats financially and help them in the process of decision-making and for priority. If the division in the panchayat can be made by the suggestions, it always gives strength to their authority. The mobilization of the youth population of the village may happen for the different voluntary works for the development.
Suppose you are entrusted to evolve a local government plan of a State, what powers would you endow to the village panchayats to function as units of self-government? Mention any five powers and the justification in two lines for each of them for giving those powers.
Answer:
Irrigation projects, drinking water supply, road construction and development, and other village development works are examples. The programs and different policies are related to modern agricultural practices. It should be supervised by the local governance or panchayats. Different social welfare activities may include birth and death records maintenance of a community, as well as their welfare and planning also included here. Maintaining the primary education of the Gram Panchayat should be granted by the authority. The grants can be related to opening new schools and operating existing schools and libraries in a particular village. Gram Panchayats should have the authority to improve the villager’s health and quality of life. They can do it by providing basic civil amenities.
What are the provisions for the reservations for the socially disadvantaged groups as per the 73rd amendment? Explain how these provisions have changed the profile of the leadership at the village level.
Answer:
There were two major constitutional amendment acts were passed in 1993. This amendment came into effect to recognize the grassroots local of self-government. There are certain clauses mentioned in the 73rd Amendment as mentioned below:
(a) The seats for SCs, STs, and OBCs. After this amendment, women also can represent themselves at the panchayat level.
(b) Women’s reservation in panchayats enabled women empowerment in local bodies. More than 80,000 women all over India have been elected as Sarpanches.
What were the main differences between the local governments before the 73rd amendment and after that amendment?
Answer:
Before the 73rd Amendment, the local government was the sole responsibility of the state and they were run by their laws. After the amendment, local government was recognized as a distinct body and it became a mandate to conduct elections in five years of duration as well. The SCs, STs, OBCs, and women got reservations. The state election commission was established to regulate the voting process. So much financial power was given to panchayats including tax collection and tools.
Read the following conversation. Write in two hundred words your opinion about the issues raised in this conversation.
Alok: Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share in power.
Neha: But it is not enough that women should be in positions of power. It is necessary that the budgets of local bodies should have separate provisions for women.
Jayesh: I don’t like this reservations business. A local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women and their interests.
Answer:
This discussion is based on the women’s empowerment and talks about equality. It includes –
Indian Constitution guarantees women’s empowerment.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on color, race, language, religion, caste, sex, and other factors.
Under Article 39 (1) and (d), both men and women get adequate substance and quality.
Read the provisions of the 73rd Amendment. Which of the following concerns does this amendment address?
(a) Fear of replacement makes representatives accountable to the people.
(b) The dominant castes and feudal landlords dominate the local bodies.
(c) Rural illiteracy is very high. Illiterate people cannot take decisions about the development of the village.
(d) To be effective the village panchayats need resources and powers to make plans for the village development.
Answer:
The state government empowered the panchayats to charge and collect taxes, duties, and fees. These provisions have also provided for the establishment of a state financial commission. They can assess to the finances of panchayats and also make recommendations.
A student of Delhi University, Raghavendra Parpanna, wanted to study the role of decentralisation in decision making about primary education. He asked some questions to the villagers. These questions are given below.
If you were among those villagers, what answer would you give to each of these questions?
A meeting of the Gram Sabha is to be called to discuss what steps should be taken to ensure that every child of the village goes to the school.
(a) How would you decide the suitable day for the meeting? Think who would be able to attend/not attend the meeting because of your choice.
- A day specified by the BDO or the collector
- Day of the village haat
- Sunday
- Naag panchami/sankranti
(b) What is a suitable venue for the meeting? Why?
- Venue suggested by the circular of the district collector.
- Religious place in the village.
- Dalit Mohalla.
- Upper caste Tola
- Village school
(c) In the Gram Sabha meeting firstly a circular sent by the district collector was read. It suggested what steps should be taken to organise an education rally and what should be its route. The meeting did not discuss about the children who never come to school or about girls’ education, or the condition of the school building and the timing of the school. No female teacher attended the meeting as it was held on Sunday. What do you think about these proceedings as an instance of people’s participation?
Answer:
(a) – (iii)
(b) – (v)
(c) As the women teachers did not attend the meeting on that day, the girl’s education was not discussed. The children who had never been to school were not considered.
Read More:
NCERT Solutions Class 11 Polity Chapter 8: Local Governments- FAQs
What is local government and its types?
Local government is the public administration of towns, cities, counties and districts. Notice that this type of government includes both county and municipal government structures. It can be challenging, but these entities must work together to administrate a particular geographic area.
What are the 3 types of local governments?
There are three main types of local government- counties, municipalities (cities and town), and special districts.
What is the important of local government?
Local governments provide the most essential of public services, such as health and safety, transportation, sanitation, environmental, and utilities.
What are the characteristics of local government?
The chief characteristics of local government, which may be studied by comparison of the United Kingdom, Germany, the U.S., and Russia, are (1) constitutional status, (2) areas and authorities, (3) powers, (4) finance and local freedom, (5) organization, and (6) central controls.
What are the two functions of the local government?
Local government serves a two-fold purpose. The first purpose is the administrative purpose of supplying goods and services; the other purpose is to represent and involve citizens in determining specific local public needs and how these local needs can be met.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Please Login to comment...