Class 6 Social Science Chapter 12 Notes Grassroots Democracy Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas
→ Earlier chapters discussed how democracy aims to empower citizens for active participation in governance. This is known as participatory democracy.
→ Urban governance is more complex and diverse compared to rural governance.
→ The discussion will focus on the basic principles of urban governance.
→ An overview of the Indian governance system, from rural to national, is provided.
→ The governance pyramid’s base is the local level, with the national level at the top.
→ Local government structures in urban areas are called urban local bodies. These bodies are decentralized, allowing local communities to have a direct say in their area’s management.
→ Urban local bodies enable citizens to make decisions about their area.
→ Cities and towns are divided into smaller units called wards.
→ Ward committees facilitate activities like health camps and anti-plastic campaigns. They monitor issues such as water leaks, blocked drains, and damaged roads.
→ The functioning of wards varies from state to state based on local rules.
→ Urban local bodies manage infrastructure, burial grounds, garbage collection, and government scheme implementation They also collect local taxes and fines.
→ Urban local bodies play a role in planning for the area’s economic and social development.
→ Citizens must perform their duties to ensure the efficient functioning of these bodies.
→ Participatory democracy requires citizens to show care and concern for their area.
→ Following waste segregation instructions helps in easier garbage collection.
→ Promptly reporting issues like water leakage prevents further wastage.
→ The Madras Corporation (now Greater Chennai Corporation) is the oldest municipal institution in India.
→ Established on 29 September 1688, it was constituted by the East India Company.
→ A Parliamentary Act of 1792. allowed the Madras Corporation to levy municipal taxes.
→ Chennai and Indore have Municipal Corporations at the top of their urban bodies.
→ Cities with populations above 10 lakhs have a Municipal Corporation (Mahanagar Nigam).
→ Cities with populations between 1 and 10 lakhs have a Municipal Council (Nagar Palika).
→ Smaller towns have a Nagar Panchayat.
→ Local government helps in emergencies, and elected representatives represent citizens’ interests.
→ Decentralized governance in urban areas involves different local bodies that affect citizens’ lives.
→ Urban local bodies have elected members representing local citizens.
→ Citizens have duties to ensure local bodies can perform their functions efficiently.
→ Good Governance : Effective administration aimed at empowering citizens and ensuring their participation in governance.
→ Participatory democracy : A system where citizens actively participate in the decision-making processes at various levefe of government.
→ Rural context : Governance and administrative systems operating in rural areas.
→ Urban Scenario : Governance and administrative systems operating in urban areas.
→ Urban Governance : The complex administrative systems in cities and towns, distinct from rural governance.
→ Urban Local Bodies : Decentralized local government structures in urban areas.
→ Decentralized : A system where local communities have direct control and decision-making power.
→ Wards : Smaller administrative units within cities and towns.
→ Ward Committees : Groups that facilitate local activities and address issues within wards.
→ Infrastructure : Basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society, such as roads and water systems.
→ Garbage Collection : The process of collecting and disposing of waste from urban areas.
→ Government Schemes : Programs initiated by the government to benefit citizens.
→ Local Taxes : Taxes collected by local government bodies to fund services and infrastructure.
→ Economic development : Planning and actions taken to improve the economic welj-being of an area.
→ Social development : Efforts to improve the social conditions and quality of life in an area.
→ Waste segregation : The process of separating different types of waste for more efficient disposal and recycling.
→ Municipal Corporation : The highest urban local body for cities with populations above 10 lakhs.
→ Mahanagar Nigam : Another term for Municipal Corporation.
→ Municipal Council (Nagar Palika) : The highest urban local body for cities with populations between 1 and 10 lakhs. The highest urban local body for smaller towns.
→ Gram Sabha : A village assembly in rural India where focal issues are discussed and decided.
→ Charter : A formal document granting rights or powers.
→ Parliamentry Act : Legislation passed by a parliament to establish or modify laws and regulations.
→ Electric post : A pole supporting electrical wires.
→ Single-use plastics : Disposable plastic products intended for one-time use.
→ Campaign : An organized effort to achieve a particular goal, often social or political.
→ Burial ground : A designated area for burying the dead.
→ Reporting : Informing authorities about issues or problems.
→ Citizen duties : Responsibilities that citizens must fulfill to ensure the efficient functioning of local bodies.
→ Local government : The administration of a particular town, city, or district with representatives elected by those who live there.
→ Elected representatives : Individuals chosen by citizens through elections to represent their interests in local bodies.
→ Community participation : Involvement of local residents in decision-making and activities affecting their area.
→ Civic responsibility : The duties and responsibilities of citizens in maintaining and improving their community.
→ Local administration : The management and organization of local government functions and services.
→ Public services : Services provided by the government to the public, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.