Revision Notes

Class 6 Social Science

Chapter – Grassroots Democracy
1. Introduction to Governance
• Governance is the process of creating and enforcing rules to maintain order in society.

• It ensures that people follow the same rules to live together harmoniously.

• Without governance, there would be disorder and confusion, making society difficult
to manage.

2. Importance of Government
• Governments are responsible for making laws, ensuring law and order, and resolving
conflicts.

• They manage public resources and provide essential services like education,
healthcare, and infrastructure.

• Governments ensure fairness and help protect people’s rights and responsibilities.

3. Democracy
• Democracy allows citizens to participate in decision-making by electing
representatives.

• These elected representatives discuss and create laws on behalf of the people.

• In a democracy, power is in the hands of the people, making it a government of the

people, by the people, and for the people.
4. Role of Panchayats
• Panchayats are local governing bodies in villages, responsible for handling
community- level issues.

• They manage resources, improve local infrastructure, and address the needs of the
people.

• Panchayats allow villagers to directly participate in governance, making decisions that

affect their daily lives.

5. Functions of the Sarpanch

• The Sarpanch is the elected leader of the Panchayat, responsible for leading local
governance.

• The Sarpanch works to solve village problems, manage resources, and ensure the
well- being of the community.

• They play a vital role in making decisions about village development and addressing
public concerns.

6. Three Organs of Government

• Legislature: Makes and updates laws, ensuring they reflect the needs of the society.

• Executive: Implements and enforces the laws made by the legislature.

• Judiciary: Interprets laws, resolves disputes, and ensures justice is served.

7. Three Levels of Government

• Local Government: Manages issues at the village or town level, such as water
supply and sanitation.

• State Government: Handles matters within a state, like law enforcement, education,
and healthcare.

• Central Government: Manages national-level issues, including defense, foreign

policy, and economic planning.
8. Role of Elections
• Elections allow people to choose their representatives at local, state, and national levels.

• Representatives are responsible for making decisions that benefit their communities.

• Through elections, citizens have a say in how they are governed and who represents
them.

9. Local Governance in Action

• Panchayats and Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) ensure that decisions are made with
community involvement.
• Local governance addresses the specific needs of the village, making it a key aspect
of grassroots democracy.
• Issues like local development, water management, and public services are discussed
and decided at the village level.

10. Importance of Grassroots Democracy

• Grassroots democracy empowers ordinary people to participate in local governance.

• It ensures that decisions impacting daily life are made with input from the community.

• This type of democracy strengthens the connection between citizens and their
government by involving them directly in the decision-making process.

Panchayati Raj System

• In every village in India, there is a local government system called the Panchayat, or
village council.

• Panchayats help bring governance closer to the people, allowing them to take part in
decisions that affect their lives.

• This system, known as Panchayati Raj, is a form of self-government where villagers

manage their own affairs.

• Panchayats are important for solving local problems, promoting development, and
making sure government schemes benefit everyone.

• The Panchayati Raj system operates at three levels: Village, Block, and District. This
is called the ‘three-tier system.’

• These levels handle almost all aspects of life in the district, including agriculture,
 housing, road maintenance, water management, education, healthcare, social welfare,
and cultural activities

Gram Panchayat
• Gram Panchayat is the local governing body closest to rural people.

• Its members are elected directly by the Gram Sabha.

• Gram Sabha consists of all adult voters from a village or nearby villages.

• In the Gram Sabha, both men and women discuss local issues and make decisions.

• Each Gram Panchayat elects a leader called the Sarpanch or Pradhan.

• Recently, more women have been chosen as Sarpanch.

Gram Panchayat Administration:

• Assisted by a Panchayat Secretary who handles administrative tasks such as
organizing meetings and keeping records.

• Often supported by a Patwari, who manages villagers’ land records and may have old
maps.

Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative

• Panchayats are expected to consider everyone’s opinions, including those of children.

• The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative allows children to share their ideas and
concerns about their wellbeing.

• Many states are promoting children’s participation in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats
to address their issues.

• In Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats have worked against child labor and child marriage,
helping children return to school.

• Bal Panchayat members persuade parents and adults to ensure children attend school
and avoid early marriages.

• Some Gram Panchayats have received awards for child-friendly efforts.

• Sikkim Example: The Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat has focused on
children’s needs by building school compound walls and constructing kitchens for
hygienic midday meals. This has earned them the title of a child-friendly Gram
 Panchayat.

• Rajasthan Example: The ‘Children’s Parliament,’ part of Bunker Roy’s ‘Barefoot

College’ initiative, empowers underprivileged children through education and
democratic participation. Children aged 8 to 14 engage in governance, learn about
democracy, and participate in parliament-like elections with formal procedures like
voter ID cards and campaigning.

Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad

• At higher levels, institutions like the Panchayat Samiti (at the block level) and the Zila
Parishad (at the district level) exist above the village Panchayat.

• The Panchayat Samiti connects the Village Panchayat and the Zila Parishad.
• Members of these institutions are elected by local people and may include Sarpanch
from villages and local members of the State Legislative Assembly.

• The setup of Panchayat Samitis can vary by state, but their main job is to involve
local people in decision-making.

• They collect development plans from Village Panchayats and present them at the
district or state level, helping to secure funding for projects like rural road
construction.

• Special rules ensure that disadvantaged groups can voice their needs, and one-third of
the seats are reserved for women at all levels.