Hinglish

The Gram Panchayat

Class 6 Social Science · Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy – Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 11.2

Learn

The Gram Panchayat is the base of the system, closest to the people. Its members are elected by the Gram Sabha: all the adults of a village (or a group of nearby villages) who are registered voters.

In Gram Sabha meetings, women and men discuss all matters of their area and take decisions: which road to repair, where to dig a well, how to use funds. Each Gram Panchayat elects a head called the Sarpanch or Pradhan. More and more women are becoming Sarpanchs.

The Gram Panchayat is helped by a Panchayat Secretary, who calls meetings and keeps records, and in many places by a Patwari, who keeps the villagers' land records. Its work includes village roads, drinking water, drains and cleanliness, street lights, and helping families get the benefits of government schemes.

Back in Sonpur, Kabir's grandfather raises the flooded road at the Gram Sabha. Many parents agree. The Panchayat plans a raised road with a culvert, and uses its funds to build it before the next monsoon.

Explore: how is a village problem solved?

  1. Put the steps in order.

Remember

  • The Gram Sabha (all adult village voters) elects the Gram Panchayat and its head, the Sarpanch.
  • A Panchayat Secretary keeps records; a Patwari keeps land records.

Quick check

Who elects the Gram Panchayat?

  1. The Gram Sabha (village voters)
  2. The Prime Minister
  3. The High Court
  4. The Patwari
Answer

The Gram Sabha (village voters). All adult voters of the village form the Gram Sabha.

Think about it

Why is the Gram Sabha important even after the Panchayat has been elected?

One answer

It is where villagers keep checking the Panchayat's work, raise new problems and decide priorities together, so the Panchayat stays answerable to the people.

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.