P-6: Local Government & Administration

 Panchayati Raj (पंचायती राज)

The Panchayati Raj System is a process through which people participate in their own government. 

Gram Sabha & Panchayat

• The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat. This could be only one village or a few villages.
• The Gram Sabha meeting begins with the Panchayat President (who is also called the Sarpanch) and the members of the Panchayat (the Panchs).
• Every village Panchayat is divided into wards, i.e. smaller areas. Each ward elects a representative known as the Ward Member (Panch).
• All the members of the Gram Sabha also elect a Sarpanch who is the Panchayat President. The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat is elected for five years.
•  The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha. This person is not elected but is appointed by the government. The Secretary is responsible for calling the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat meetings and recording the proceedings.
• The Gram Sabha is a key factor in making the Gram Panchayat play its role and be responsible. It is the place where all plans for the work of the Gram Panchayat are placed before the people. 
• The Gram Panchayat meets regularly and one of its main tasks is to implement development programmes for all villages that come under it.

Work of a Gram Panchayat

1. construction and maintenance of water sources, roads, drainage, school buildings, and other common property resources. 
2. levying and collecting local taxes.
3. executing government schemes related to generating employment in the village. 

Sources of funds for the Panchayat 

1. collection of taxes on houses, marketplaces, etc. 
2. government scheme funds received through various departments of the government – through the Janpad and Zila Panchayats. 
3. donations for community works etc.

3 levels of Panchayat

• In rural areas, the Gram Panchayat is the first level of democratic government. The Panchs and the Gram Panchayat are answerable to the Gram Sabha because it is the members of the Gram Sabha who elected them.

• Block level, which is called the Janpad Panchayat or the Panchayat Samiti. The Panchayat Samiti has many Gram Panchayats under it.
• Above the Panchayat Samiti is the District Panchayat or the Zila Parishad. It makes developmental plans at the district level. With the help of Panchayat Samitis, it also regulates the money distribution among all the Gram Panchayats.

Rural Administration (ग्रामीण प्रशासन)

Patwari (Lekhpal/Kanungo/Village Officer)

• Measuring land and keeping land records is the main work of the Patwari.
• Each Patwari is responsible for a group of villages. The Patwari maintains and updates the records of the village.
• The Patwari usually have ways of measuring agricultural fields. In some places, a long chain is used.
• The Patwari is also responsible for organizing the collection of land revenue from the farmers and providing information to the government about the crops grown in this area. This is done from the records that are kept, and this is why it’s important for the Patwari to regularly update these.

Tehsil

• All states in India are divided into districts. For managing matters relating to land, these districts are further subdivided into tehsil or taluka.

• At the head is the District Collector and under her are the revenue officers, also known as tehsildars.
• They have to hear disputes. They also supervise the work of the Patwaris and ensure that records are properly kept and land revenue is collected. 
• They make sure that the farmers can easily obtain a copy of their records, students can obtain their caste certificates, etc. The Tehsildar’s office is where land disputes are also heard. 

Urban Administration (शहरी प्रशासन)

Municipal Corporation (नगर निगम)

• It is a big organization that takes care of street lights, garbage collection, water supply, keeping the streets and the market clean, ensuring that diseases do not break out in the city, running schools, hospitals, and dispensaries, making gardens and maintaining them, etc.

• Municipal Corporation is for a big city. In smaller towns, it is called a Municipal Council (नगर परिषद).
• The city is divided into different wards and ward councillors get elected. When the problems are within a ward then the people who live in the ward can contact their councillors.
• The Commissioner and the administrative staff are appointed. Councillors are elected.

How does the Municipal Corporation get its money? 

• A tax is a sum of money that people pay to the government for the services the government provides. People who own homes pay a property tax as well as taxes for water and other services. The larger the house the more the tax. 
• There are also taxes for education and other amenities like in a hotel, restaurant, or shop then you have to pay a tax for this as well.