Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Class 6 Questions and Answers

Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Class 6 Question Answer Social Science Chapter 12

NCERT Class 6 Social Science SST Chapter 12 Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Questions and Answers Solutions

Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Class 6 Questions and Answers (InText)

Let’s Explore (Page 174)

Question 1.
Why is a city like Kolkata, Chennal or Mumbal more complex and diverse than a village or a town?
Answer:
A city like Kolkata, Chennai or Mumbai is more complex and diverse than a village or a town because of the following reasons

• Larger population with varied socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles.
• Diverse range of industries, businesses and economic activities.
• Complex infrastructure, including transportation systems, utilities and public services.
• Higher density of population, leading to unique urban challenges and issues.
• Greater need for specialised services, such as healthcare, education and waste management.
• More complex governance and administrative structures to manage the city’s affairs.

Overall, the larger size, density and economic activity of a city create a more complex and diverse environment compared to a smaller village or town.

Question 2.
With your classmates, make a list of diverse communities residing in any city that you are familiar with. How many were you able to list? What else do you observe in the list?
Answer:
The list of diverse communities in a city is as follows

• Religious groups (Hindus, Muslims, Christians, etc.)
• Ethnic groups (North Indians, South Indians, etc.)
• Language groups (Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, etc.)
• Socio-economic groups (Rich, Middle class, Poor)
• Cultural groups (Artists, Writers, Food vendors)
• Other groups (Seniors, People with disabilities, Migrant workers)

Key observations in the list are

• Many communities exist in a city
• Individuals can belong to multiple communities
• Communities can overlap
• Diversity makes a city rich and complex
• Understanding and appreciating diversity is important for a harmonious city

Let’s Explore (Page 175)

Question 3.
In the figure given below, what similarities and differences do you notice between the Panchayati Raj system and the urban local government?

Answer:
The similarities between the Panchayati Raj system and the urban local government area as follows

• Both occupy the bottom position in the pyramid of government working in the country.
• Both the governments are closer to the common people.
• Both work for smaller and local areas.
• Both include the participation of people living in the area.
• Both have elected representatives.

The differences between the Panchayati Raj system and the urban local government area as follows

• Panchayati Raj system is for rural areas while urban local government is for urban areas.
• Panchayati Raj system is sub-divided into three bodies at the village, block and district level while urban local government is of different types depending upon the population of the city.

Let’s Explore (Page 177)

Question 4.
Can you think of four or five more actions that responsible citizens might take to help their area of the city?
Answer:
The actions that responsible citizens might take to help their area of the city are as follows

• Citizens can plant trees and help keep the area clean to make it a nicer place to live.
• Citizens can share their skills and experience with young people to help them learn and grow.
• Citizens can help reduce waste, recycle and conserve resources to make their area cleaner and healthier.
• Citizens can come together to organise events and festivals that celebrate their community’s diversity and bring people together.
• Citizens can volunteer or donate to help people who are struggling, such as the homeless or elderly, to make their community a kinder place.

Think About It (Page 179)

Question 1.
Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the cleanest city in India under the Swachh Survekshan government scheme for seven years in a row. What could have been the role of Indore citizens in this achievement?
Answer:
The citizens of Indore played a crucial role in achieving the city’s status as the cleanest city in India for seven years in a row. Some possible contributions they made are as follows

• Active Participation in Waste Management Citizens may have taken responsibility for segregating waste, recycling and properly disposing of trash.
• Community Initiatives Residents might have organised cleanliness drives, awareness campaigns and rallies to promote cleanliness and hygiene.
• Cooperation with Municipal Authorities Citizens may have worked closely with the municipal corporation, providing feedback and supporting their efforts to improve sanitation and waste management.
• Adoption of Sustainable Practices Indore citizens might have adopted eco-friendly habits, such as reducing plastic use, conserving water and using public transport.
• Social Pressure and Accountability Citizens may have held their neighbours, local businesses and authorities accountable for maintaining cleanliness, creating a sense of collective responsibility.
• Education and Awareness Residents might have educated themselves and others about the importance of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation, leading to a cultural shift towards cleanliness.

The collective efforts of Indore’s citizens, combined with effective governance and municipal initiatives, likely contributed to the city’s remarkpble achievement.

Let’s Explore (Page 17.4)

Question 1.
Select a few cities, from your state and from a few neighbouring states. These may include the city you live in or the city nearest to your town or village. How will you find out if they have a Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council or Municipal Corporation? Draw a table with the names of the cities and the type of urban local body each of them has.
Answer:
The following is a table with a few cities from different states and their corresponding urban local bodies

City	State	Urban local body
Indore	Madhya Pradesh	Municipal Corporation
Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	Municipal Corporation
Mumbai	Maharashtra	Municipal Corporation
Pune	Maharashtra	Municipal Corporation
Nagpur	Maharashtra	Municipal Corporation
Jaipur	Rajasthan	Municipal Corporation
Udaipur	Rajasthan	Municipal Council

To find out the type of urban local body for each city, I would take the following steps

• Check the official website of the city’s municipal body or local government.
• Look for information on the city’s wikipedia page or other reliable online sources.
• Contact the city’s municipal office or local government department directly to ask about their urban local body.

Question 2.
How do urban local bodies fund their activities?
(Hint: Look carefully at the pictures of the functions performed by Indore Municipal Corporation in Figure 12.4 on page 178.) Are some of them paid services?

Answer:
Urban local bodies fund their activities through a combination of sources, including

• Property taxes which are collected from property owners within the city limits.
• Water and sewerage charges which are collected from residents and businesses for water supply and sewerage services.
• Garbage collection fees which are collected from residents and businesses for waste management services.
• Parking fees which are collected from vehicle owners for parking in public spaces.
• Licenses and permits which are issued to businesses, vendors and other entities for various activities.
• Grants and aid received from state and central governments for specific projects and initiatives.
• User charges which are collected for services like public toilets, streetlights and other amenities.

Yes, some of the services provided by Indore municipal corporation are paid services, such as water supply, sewerage services, garbage collection, property, licenses and permits.

Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Question Answer (Exercise)

Question 1.
On your way to school, you and your friends notice that a water pipe is leaking. A lot of water is being wasted on account of the leak. What would you and your friends do in such a situation?
Answer:
If my friends and I noticed a leaking water pipe on our way to school, we would

• Take a photo or video of the leak as evidence.
• Note the location of the leak, including the nearest landmark or address.
• Report the leak to the local municipal authority or water department immediately, either by
• Calling their helpline number
• Sending an email or message through their website or social media
• Informing a nearby authority figure, such as a school teacher or local shopkeeper
• If possible, try to temporarily stop the leak by turning off the valve (if accessible) or using a makeshift plug (like a cloth or stick) to reduce water waste.
• Follow up with the authorities to ensure the leak is fixed promptly.

By taking these steps, we can help conserve water, prevent wastage, and contribute to a more responsible and sustainable community.

Question 2.
Invite a member of an urban local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.
Answer:
The following is a set of questions that can be asked to a member of an urban local body

• Can you introduce yourself and explain your role in the urban local body?
• What are your key responsibilities and areas of focus?
• How do you interact with citizens and address their concerns?
• What initiatives has the urban local body taken to improve infrastructure, sanitation and public services?
• How do you prioritise projects and allocate resources?
• How does the urban local body handle emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises?
• What measures are taken to ensure transparency and accountability in decision-making and fund allocation?
• How can citizens like us get involved and contribute to the urban local body’s efforts?
• What challenges do you face in your role and how do you overcome them?
• What message would you like to share with our class about the importance of urban governance and civic engagement?

Question 3.
Discuss with adult members of your family and neighbourhood, and make a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies.
Answer:
From the discussions with adult members of my family and neighbourhood, I made the following list of their expectations from the urban local bodies

• Keep our streets and public spaces clean and free of waste.
• Maintain good roads and provide adequate streetlights for safety.
• Ensure we have access to clean water and proper sewage management.
• Keep our community safe with effective law enforcement and emergency services.
• Protect the environment by planting trees, controlling pollution and managing waste.
• Support vulnerable populations like seniors and the disabled by organising social programmes and providing affordable healthcare.
• Be transparent and accountable by sharing information on projects, budgets and expenditures.
• Encourage citizen participation by listening to feedback, involving us in decision-making and supporting community-led initiatives.

These expectations highlight what urban local bodies can do to improve our daily lives and create a better community.

Question 4.
Make a list of characteristics of a good urban local body.
Answer:
The list of characteristics of a good urban local body is as follows

• A good urban local body is responsive to citizens’ ‘ concerns and addresses them promptly.
• It is transparent in its decisions, budgets and projects.
• It is accountable for its actions and decisions.
• It is inclusive and represents all communities.
• It delivers quality services efficiently and effectively.
• It prioritises sustainability and environmental conservation.
• It communicates regularly with citizens and is adaptive to changing circumstances.
  These characteristics help urban local bodies serve their citizens well and build trust.

Question 5.
What are the similarities and differences between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies?
Answer:
The similarities between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies are as follows

• Both are local self-governance systems, empowering citizens to manage their own affairs.
• Both have elected representatives (Gram Panchayat/ Municipal Councilors) accountable to the people.
• Both focus on providing basic services like water, sanitation, roads and healthcare.
• Both encourage citizen participation and involvement in decision-making.

The differences between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies are as follows

• Location Panchayati Raj system operates in rural areas, while urban local bodies operate in cities and towns.
• Structure Panchayati Raj has a three-tier system (Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat and District Panchayat), while urban local bodies have a single-tier system (Municipal Corporation or Council).
• Powers and functions Urban local bodies have more powers and responsibilities, such as urban planning, transportation and taxation, whereas Panchayati Raj focuses on rural development and basic services.
• Funding Urban local bodies receive more funding and have greater financial autonomy compared to Panchayati Raj institutions.
• Election process Urban local body elections are mőre formalised, while Panchayati Raj elections may have more informal or traditional processes.
• In summary, while both systems aim to decentralise power and empower local communities, they differ in. structure, powers and focus due to the unique needs and contexts of rural and urban areas.

Exploring Society India and Beyond Class 6 Solutions