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

Teachers guide students to use Exploring Society India and Beyond Class 6 Solutions and Class 6 Social Science SST Chapter 12 Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Question Answer NCERT Solutions for quick learning.

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 (In-Text)

Big Questions? (Page 174)

Question 1.
What are urban local bodies and what are their functions?
Answer:
As per Constitution we have local government structures in urban areas called Tirban local bodies’. According to the size and population of the cities we have:

• Municipal Corporation: Cities with a population above 10 lakhs have a Municipal Corporation. They are also known as ‘Mahanagar Nigam’.
• Municipal Council: Cities with population between 1 and 10 lakhs, the highest body is called as Municipal Council. They are also called ‘Nagar Palika’.
• Nagar Panchayat: Towns with smaller populations below 1 lakh have Nagar Panchayat.

The functions of the Urban bodies includes the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, burial ground, garbage collection and disposal, water supply, running of primary schools and healthcare system, collecting local taxes and fines and many other essential services.

Question 2.
Why are they important in governance and democracy?
Answer:
Urban local bodies are crucial for governance and democracy as they ensure local issues are addressed by elected representatives, enhance citizen participation, and improve the delivery of services, thus making the democratic process more responsive and effective at the community level.

Let’s Explore (Pages 175 & 177)

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 might include communities such as:

• Business professionals
• Students
• Migrant workers
• Local residents
• Ethnic minorities
• Religious groups

You may observe a rich blend of cultures, languages, and lifestyles, highlighting the city’s role as a melting pot of diverse populations. This diversity not only contributes to the city’s vibrancy but also adds to its complexity.

Question 3.
Select a few cities, from your State and 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:
To determine the type of urban local body a city has, you can:

• Visit the city’s local government website.
• Check government reports or publications on urban governance.
• Contact local government offices directly.
• Use online state government portals that list urban local bodies.

You can then organise this information in a table like this:

City Name	State	Urban Local Body
Indore	Madhya Pradesh	Municipal Corporation
Aligarh	Uttar Pradesh	Municipal Corporation
Haridwar	Uttarakhand	Municipal Council

Question 4.

How do urban local bodies fund their actimties? (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? (Page 1 79)
Answer:
Property Taxes, Water Charges, Waste Management Fees, Trade Licence and they also receive grants from State government.
Some paid services are Water tanker, Rental for Auditorium, Septic tanker charges etc.

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.

Class 6 SST Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Question Answer (Exercise)

Questions, Activities and Projects (Page 181)

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:
Steps taken by the students after noticing a water pipe leakage are:

• Report immediately to local elders or teachers.
• Contact local authorities through helpline numbers.
• Encourage local people to store and use the flowing water.
• Take the help of nearby people to click the image and share with local leaders through WhatsApp etc.

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:
Expectations may include:

• Efficient management of waste and sanitation services.
• Prompt repair of infrastructure issues such as roads and water supply.
  Transparent and accountable administration.
• Development and maintenance of public spaces like parks and community centres.
• Effective implementation of government schemes and services.

Question 4.
Make a list of characteristics of a good urban local body.
Answer:
A good urban local body is which listens to citizens adheres to its duties and does its task on time. Some important characteristics of a good urban local body are as follows:

• Citizen friendly.
• Responsive to the need of people.
• Should have citizen charters showing its duties and responsibilities.
• Should have mobile APP and be technology friendly.
• Should have strict, proper,, quick grievance redressal mechanism.
• It should create conditions for common people to be part of the local body.

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.