CBSE Class 6 Social Science: Panchayati Raj NCERT Solutions

Solution: The villagers in Hardas village were facing a significant water shortage. The water level in the hand-pump had dropped below the drilled depth, resulting in very little water reaching the taps. To address this critical issue, the villagers convened a Gram Sabha meeting. After extensive discussions, they decided that water conservation was essential. They identified the Watershed Development Programme as an effective solution and planned to undertake activities such as planting trees, constructing check-dams, and building tanks to improve water availability and management.

Solution: The Gram Sabha is a vital body within the Panchayati Raj system. Its importance lies in its role in planning village development strategies, implementing government schemes, and overseeing the basic amenities and public property of the village. It also plays a role in areas like education, law and order, and primary health services. Furthermore, the Gram Sabha acts as a check on the Gram Panchayat, ensuring that elected representatives remain accountable to the villagers.

Yes, it is highly important for all members to attend Gram Sabha meetings. Attendance ensures that every member can participate in discussions about village plans and programs. Representatives from different areas can voice their specific local problems and development needs. If members are absent, their interests might be overlooked, leading to decisions that do not benefit everyone in the community.

Solution: The Gram Sabha comprises all adult residents within a Panchayat's area, and it elects the Sarpanch, who heads the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat is the elected body that carries out the day-to-day administration and development work. A key link between these two bodies is the Gram Panchayat Secretary, who is also the secretary of the Gram Sabha. This secretary, appointed by the government, is responsible for organizing meetings for both bodies and maintaining their records. The Gram Sabha exercises control over the Gram Panchayat, ensuring its functioning aligns with the community's needs.

Solution: In a nearby rural area, the Panchayat recently undertook the construction of a community hall.

1. Why it was taken up: The community hall was deemed necessary because there was no common public space available for villagers to gather for meetings, social functions, or other community events. Its absence made organizing such activities difficult.
2. Where the money come from: The funds for this project were raised through a combination of contributions from the villagers themselves and a portion of the Panchayat's welfare fund allocated for community development.
3. Whether or not the work has been completed: Yes, the construction of the community hall was completed within the planned timeframe and is now fully operational and being used by the villagers.

Solution: The key differences between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat are:

1. Membership: The Gram Sabha includes all adult residents of a village, whereas the Gram Panchayat is an elected body composed of representatives chosen by the Gram Sabha members.
2. Term: The Gram Panchayat is elected for a fixed term of five years, while the Gram Sabha is a continuous body.
3. Area and Representation: The Gram Sabha's jurisdiction covers the entire village. The Gram Panchayat, however, may divide the village into wards, with each ward represented by a Ward Councillor.
4. Function: The Gram Sabha is responsible for overall planning and oversight, while the Gram Panchayat is responsible for the implementation of development activities and administration. The Gram Sabha also controls the functioning of the Gram Panchayat.

Solution:

1. Bhagvan was beaten because he insisted that the water supplied by the tanker should be emptied into the village's storage tanks, which were part of a water supply scheme designed for equal distribution. This demand was opposed by a group of upper-caste men who did not want the water to be shared equally, particularly with lower castes.
2. Yes, this is clearly a case of discrimination. The upper-caste men attacked Bhagvan to suppress his legitimate demand for equal access to water. Their actions and words reveal a discriminatory attitude, looking down upon and denying basic resources to the lower castes, which is a form of social injustice.

Solution: Watershed development is a government initiative, often implemented with the help of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). It focuses on the conservation and management of water resources within a specific geographical area (watershed). Key activities include planting trees to increase soil moisture and reduce runoff, constructing bunds (small earthen embankments) to slow down water flow and allow it to seep into the ground, and building check-dams or small reservoirs to store water. These efforts help in recharging groundwater levels, preventing soil erosion, increasing vegetation cover, and ultimately improving water availability for drinking, agriculture, and other uses in the area, making it more resilient to drought.