Local Self Government Online Test 9th Social Science Lesson 15 Questions in English

Local Self-Governments are institutions that look after the administration of an area or a small community such as a village, a town or a city. Local Self-Government is the management of local affairs by such local bodies which have been elected by the local people.

The idea of local self-government is a very old concept in India. These local bodies provide services to the local community as well as act as an instrument of democratic self-Government.

The idea of local self-government is a very old concept in India. It was at its peak under the later Cholas or the Imperial Cholas of Tanjore.

Local self-government existed throughout the country with its own diverse characteristics of ancient India. During the medieval period, local self-governments had somewhat declined due to the onslaught of feudalism.

Lord Ripon was known as the ‘Father of Local Government for laying the foundations of local self- governments in modern times.

The Idea of Local self-government was revived during the British period in the last quarter of the 19th century, with Western orientation of training in democracy with Lord Ripon’s Resolution in 1882.

The Idea of Local self-government was revived during the British period in the last quarter of the 19th century, with Western orientation of training in democracy with Lord Ripon’s Resolution in 1882.

In the provinces after the first election in the year 1936-37 the Congress formed its Government. Rural development received special attention as it was an essential part of Gandhi’s programme that Panchayat Raj institutions would be built from villages to the highest level.

After Independence, the Gandhian ideal of Grama Swaraj or Village Republic greatly influenced the constitution makers. India being the land of villages, the creation of village Panchayat became a social movement.

The constitution of India, Article 40 was incorporated in the constitution which reads as: “the State should take steps to organise village Panchayat and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as the units of self -Governments.

The conceptualisation of the system of local self-government in India took place through the formation and effort of four important committees from the year 1957 to 1986 to form the Great Charter on Panchayat Raj in 1957.

The conceptualisation of the system of local self-government in India took place through the formation and effort of various important committees from the year 1957 to 1986. The Community Development Programme (1952) and National Extension Service (1953) became a basis for 'The Great Charter on Panchayat Raj' in 1957.

A committee led by Laxmi Mall Singhvi was constituted in the 1980s to recommend ways to revitalize PRIs. It recommended the local self-government should be constitutionally recognised, protected and preserved by the inclusion of new chapter in the Constitution, non-involvement of political parties in Panchayat elections.

Local self-government in India refers to Governmental Jurisdiction below the State level. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments gave recognition and protection to the local governments and in addition each state has its own local government legislation.

In India the rural local governments are classified as zilla parishads at the district level and Panchayat samitis at the block level and Gram Panchayat at the village level.

The Panchayat raj system is a three-tier system with elected bodies at the village, Taluk and district levels. The modern system is based in part on traditional part on the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and by the work of various committees. This system intended to create greater participation in local government by people and more effective implementation of rural development programs.

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a committee originally appointed by the Government of India in January 16, 1957. The main recommendations of this committee are Establishment of a 3-tier Panchayat Raj system - Gram Panchayat at the village level, block level, and District level. The village Panchayat should be constituted with directly elected representatives, whereas the Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad should be constituted with indirectly elected members. All planning and developmental activities should be entrusted to these bodies. The Panchayat Samiti should be the executive body while the Zilla Parishad should be the advisory, coordinating and supervisory body. The District Collector should be the Chairman of the Zilla Parishad. There should be a genuine transfer of power and responsibility to these democratic bodies. A system should be evolved to effect further devolution of authority in future. Irrespective of political parties, Elections has to be constituted for every 5 years in a genuine way. These recommendations were accepted by the National Development Council in January 1958.

The Ashok Mehta committee submitted its report in August 1978 and made 132 recommendations to revive and strengthen the declining Panchayat Raj system in the country. It recommended that the 3-tier system of Panchayat Raj should be replaced by the 2-tier system. Zilla Parishad at the district level, and below it, the Mandala Panchayat consisting of a group of villages covering a population of 15000 to 20000.

The Seats at all levels Local bodies are filled by direct elections. One-third of the total number of seats reserved for women. One-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs also reserved for women. One-third offices of chairpersons at all levels reserved for women.

The 73rd and 74th Amendments added Part IX and IX A to the Constitution which deals with the powers and functions of the Panchayat Raj institutions.

The eleventh schedule of the Indian Constitution added in the year 1992 by the 73rd Amendment Act. This Schedule contains 29 subjects which cover some important topics like Powers and Rural development, Market and Roads etc.

With the provisions of the Article 243 B there shall be a constitution of Panchayat in every state in village level and district levels. All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by the persons chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area.

As per the Article 243E every Panchayat, except in case of dissolution shall continue for Five years. If it is dissolved or dismissed it should be reconstituted within six months.

A person shall be disqualified under the law for the time being in force for the purpose of elections to the legislature of the concerned state in 243-F in Part IX of the Constitution.

The Article 243 H deals with the powers to impose taxes by, and funds of, the Panchayat The Legislature of a State may, by law authorise a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and fees in accordance with such procedure and subject to such limits.

The New Panchayat Raj System came into being in Tamil Nadu after the enactment of a new law for local body institutions in the year 1994.

The salient features of the new Act, 1994 in Tamil Nadu as follows: A three-tier system (b) Gram Sabha (c) Establishment of Election Commission (d) Constitution of Finance Commission (e) Reservation of seats for SC/ST’s proportionate to their population One third reservation of seats for women (g) Constitution of District Planning Committees.

Local governments which are function in villages are called Village Panchayat. The President and ward members are directly elected by the people those who have attained the age above 18 and their term of office is five years.

The District Collector act as the Inspector of Village Panchayat.

The Village Panchayat is constituted in each and every village wherever the population is above 500.

The Village Councils had effective links with the Chola rulers. “Kuda Olai Murai” was the name of the secret ballot method exercised to elect members to the Village Councils.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of local self-governance as is evident from the Uthiramerur stone inscriptions in Kancheepuram District.

With the downfall of Cholas, the state experienced a decline of the village autonomy this continued till British rulers introduced local self-governance. This was introduced and used as an administrative convenience for the colonial British Government.

In the post-independence era, the first enactment in democratic decentralization in the state was the Madras Village Panchayat Act, 1950.

Village Panchayat was the only local government which was empowered to levy taxes in the three-tier system of Village Panchayat. The Taxes collected by the Village Panchayat are Property Tax, Professional Tax, House Tax, and Taxes for connection of drinking water, Land Tax, Taxes levied on shops.

In each and every village, the people living within its jurisdiction will be the members of Panchayat. Meetings of the Grama Sabha are conducted four times a year.

In each and every village, the people living within its jurisdiction will be the members of Panchayat. The President of the Panchayat will preside over its meetings. In the meeting of the Grama Sabha, the income and expenditure and the beneficiary of the schemes in the village are discussed. Meetings of the Grama Sabha are conducted four times a year.

Panchayat Union is formed by grouping of villages. Members of the Panchayat Union are directly elected by the people. The Chairman of the Panchayat Union is chosen from among the members.

The District collector, planning officer, concerned Block Development Officer is empowered to supervise the developmental functions of the Panchayat Union.

A District Panchayat is constituted in each district. One district Panchayat is constituted for every 50,000 people and the ward members are directly elected by the people. The Chairman is elected from one among its members and their term is 5 years.

A District Panchayat is constituted in each district. One district Panchayat is constituted for every 50,000 people.

The Functions of District Panchayat is to advise the government about the developmental schemes of the Village Panchayat and Panchayat Union and Supervising the functions of District Planning Commission.

Gandhi’s ideal village should be basically self-reliant, making provision for all necessities of life-food clothing, clean water, sanitation, housing, education, and other requirements, including government and self-defence.

The area where more than 10,000 people live is called a Town Panchayat. Members and President of the town Panchayat are directly elected by the people.

The district collector, planning officer, concerned Block Development Officer is empowered to supervise the developmental functions of the Panchayat Union. The Executive Officer looks after the administration of the Town Panchayat. The Mayor the Chairman of the corporation. Gandhi really wanted ‘Swaraj’, the self-rule by the people of India who represent the rural mass. He observed 'India’s soul lives in the village'.

The area where more than 1, 00,000 people live is called a Municipality. The Members and the Chairman of the Municipalities are directly elected by the people and their term of office is five years. A Municipal Commissioner is appointed by the government to administer the Municipality.

The Municipal Commissioner will be a person from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). All the decisions of the Corporation Council will be implemented by him. He will be assisted by the office of the corporation.

Tamil Nadu has 15 Municipal Corporations as of the year 2019. Avadi was upgraded as a Municipal Corporation on 19th June, 2019.

The Chennai Corporation building is named as Ripon Building after Lord Ripon who was the Viceroy of India from 1880n to 1884. He is remembered for introducing the local government reforms.

The Important functions of the Mayor are, He acts as a bridge between the members of the corporation and the government. He presides over the meetings of the Corporation Council. He receives the dignitaries from foreign countries.

The area where more than 10,000 people live is called a Town Panchayat. The area where more than 1, 00,000 people live is called a Municipality. One district Panchayat is constituted for every 50,000 people.

The Types of other Urban Panchayat are Notified Area Committee, Town Area Committee, Cantonment Board, Township, Port Trust and Special Purpose Agency.

The State Election Commission conducts the elections to the local government like general elections. The electoral roll is prepared ward wise. Seats are reserved for the SC & ST and also for the women in proportion to the population by rotation basis.

The Article 243R discusses the Composition of Municipalities. All the seats in a Municipality shall be filled by persons chosen by direct election from the territorial constituencies in the Municipal area and for this purpose each Municipal area shall be divided into territorial constituencies to be known as wards. The Legislature of a State may, by law, provide for the representation in a Municipality.

The Article 243ZA of the Constitution refers to the Elections to the Municipalities. The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Municipalities shall be vested in the State Election Commission referred to in Article 243K.Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to the Municipalities.