CBSE Class 11 Political Science Paragraph based Questions for Chapter 8 Local Governments

Paragraph 1: Introduction to Local Government

Local government refers to the administration of local affairs at the grassroots level, with the aim of promoting local development and addressing local needs. In India, local governments function at two levels: rural and urban. Rural local government is organized into Panchayats, which operate at the village, intermediate, and district levels. Urban local government consists of Municipalities and Municipal Corporations. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, passed in 1992, provided constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities, ensuring decentralization and empowering local bodies to take decisions about local governance and development. Local governments play a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of basic services, like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, at the local level.

Question 1: What is the role of local government in India?
Answer 1: The role of local government in India is to manage local affairs, promote local development, and address local needs, ensuring the delivery of essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Question 2: How are local governments structured in India?
Answer 2: Local governments in India are structured into rural and urban bodies. Rural local governments consist of Panchayats, while urban local governments include Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.

Question 3: What are Panchayats?
Answer 3: Panchayats are rural local government bodies in India that operate at the village, intermediate, and district levels to address local governance and development issues.

Question 4: What was the significance of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments?
Answer 4: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, passed in 1992, provided constitutional recognition to Panchayats and Municipalities, empowering them with the authority to make decisions and manage local governance.

Question 5: Why are local governments important for democracy?
Answer 5: Local governments are important for democracy because they ensure grassroots participation in governance, decentralize power, and enable local communities to address their specific needs and concerns.


Paragraph 2: Panchayati Raj System

The Panchayati Raj system is a system of local government in rural areas, which functions at three levels: the Gram Panchayat (village level), the Panchayat Samiti (intermediate level), and the Zila Parishad (district level). The Gram Panchayat is the primary body responsible for local governance in villages. It is composed of elected representatives and is responsible for implementing government schemes, local development projects, and maintaining public welfare. The Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad operate at the intermediate and district levels and coordinate the functioning of Panchayats in the region. The Panchayati Raj system ensures greater participation of people in decision-making at the local level and helps promote decentralized governance.

Question 1: What is the Panchayati Raj system?
Answer 1: The Panchayati Raj system is a decentralized system of local government in rural areas, operating at three levels: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (intermediate), and Zila Parishad (district).

Question 2: What is the role of the Gram Panchayat?
Answer 2: The Gram Panchayat is responsible for local governance in villages, implementing government schemes, managing local development projects, and ensuring public welfare.

Question 3: What is the Panchayat Samiti?
Answer 3: The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate-level local government body that coordinates the activities of Panchayats within a block or sub-district, ensuring effective governance and development.

Question 4: What is the Zila Parishad?
Answer 4: The Zila Parishad is the district-level local government body that supervises and coordinates the functioning of Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis within the district.

Question 5: How does the Panchayati Raj system promote decentralization?
Answer 5: The Panchayati Raj system promotes decentralization by transferring power and decision-making authority to local bodies, ensuring greater community participation in governance and local development.


Paragraph 3: Urban Local Government

Urban local governments are responsible for managing governance in cities and towns. The two primary forms of urban local government in India are Municipalities and Municipal Corporations. Municipalities are formed for smaller urban areas, while Municipal Corporations govern larger cities. These local bodies are responsible for providing essential services such as water supply, sanitation, roads, public health, and education. They are also involved in urban planning and regulating land use. Local elections are held to elect representatives to these bodies, ensuring people’s participation in urban governance. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provided constitutional status to these urban local bodies and made them responsible for local administration in cities and towns.

Question 1: What is the role of urban local government in India?
Answer 1: Urban local governments are responsible for managing urban areas, providing essential services like water, sanitation, roads, public health, and education, and handling urban planning and land use regulation.

Question 2: What are the two primary forms of urban local government in India?
Answer 2: The two primary forms of urban local government in India are Municipalities (for smaller towns) and Municipal Corporations (for larger cities).

Question 3: What services do urban local bodies provide?
Answer 3: Urban local bodies provide essential services such as water supply, sanitation, roads, public health, education, and urban planning services.

Question 4: What is the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act?
Answer 4: The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provided constitutional status to urban local bodies (Municipalities and Municipal Corporations) and made them responsible for local administration in cities and towns.

Question 5: Why are local elections important for urban governance?
Answer 5: Local elections are important because they ensure people’s participation in urban governance, allowing them to elect representatives who will address local issues and manage city affairs effectively.

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