CIVICS

Our Local Government

CONTENTS
Chapter Page
1. Our Life in Society..................................................................... 59
2. Diversity in Society.................................................................... 62
3. Rural Local Government Bodies................................................ 65
4. Urban Local Government Bodies............................................... 71
5. District Administration............................................................... 77
Competencies related to Civics : Std VI
It is expected that by the end of Std VI students will have developed the competencies given below.
S.No. Unit Competencies
1. Society - To develop an attitude of respect for rules and discipline through mutual
co-operation between the various sections of society.
- Understanding that individuals, families and institutions together make
up a society.
- To be able to see that, although there are people who speak different
languages and follow different religions in India, there is unity among
them all.
- To understand the necessity for equality of all religions for the sake of
national unity.
2. Regulation - To understand that participation of every individual is important in
of Society addressing public issues.
Regulation in - To understand that women participate actively in the Gram Sabha.
Rural Areas - To obtain information about the Panchayat Samiti and office bearers
of administration.
- To obtain information about the Zilla Parishad office bearers and its
administration.
- To understand that local government bodies are the foundation of
democracy.
3. Regulation of - To understand the structure and functions of the urban local
Society government bodies.
Regulation in - To obtain information about the administration and office bearers of
Urban Areas the urban local government bodies.
- To understand that the problems in rural and urban areas are different.
4. District - To understand the role of the District Collector in District Administration
Administration - To obtain information about the District Police administration
- To understand the importance of the judiciary
- To understand that local administration is meant for the welfare of
the people
- To understand that in disaster management, participation of the people
is as important as that of the Administration.

58
 1. Our Life in Society

1.1 Why did man feel the need for society ?

functioning of day-to-day matters. It gave
rise to conventions, traditions, ethics and
1.2 The social nature of man values, rules and laws. Man’s life in
1.3 Our development society became more organized
1.4 What is society? and stable.

In the fifth standard, you have learnt 1.2 The social nature of man
about the evolution of man. It tells us Man is social by nature. We all
that our present social life has taken basically like to live with one another,
shape through a process of evolution in each other’s company and with people
over thousands of years. Man has moved around us. Living with people not only
from a nomadic stage to a settled makes us happy, it is also our need.
social life. We have many needs. Food, shelter,

What will
society
be like
50 years
from now ?
Discuss.

1.1  Why did man feel the need for clothing are our physical needs.
society ? Once these are satisfied, man gets a
A stable and secure community life sense of stability, but that is not enough.
is necessary for the development of the We also have some emotional and
individual as well as society. In the psychological needs. For example, to feel
nomadic stage, man did not have this secure is an emotional need. When we
stability and security. When man realized
are happy, we wish to share our happiness
that living in a group provides security,
people came together to develop an with others. Similarly, when we are sad,
organized way of life. This was one of we wish to have somebody with us. We
the main motivations for the creation of like the companionship of our family
society. Living in society, man felt the members, relatives and friends! These
need for rules to help with the smooth feelings reflect our social nature.
59
 1.3 Our development
Speak and write. Every person is born with some
qualities and capabilities. But they are
You have got the first prize in a
dormant. They develop in a society. We
drawing competition. Will you keep it to
use language to communicate with one
yourself or show it to your friends ? How
another, but we cannot do so at birth.
do you expect them to respond ? What
We learn language gradually. Our first
were your feelings after their response ?
language is the one that is spoken at
● Felt very happy about the appreciation.
home. If our neighbours speak different
● Felt motivated to draw good pictures. languages, we pick up those too. Schools
● (Write more about the feelings you also provide opportunities to learn
experienced.) different languages.
We also have the capacity to think
You know that food, clothes, shelter,
independently. For example, when all the
education and health are our basic needs.
students in a class are given the same
Due to the labour and skills of people in
topic for an essay, why is it that no two
the society, a variety of articles are
essays are the same? It is because the
produced. Education and health-related
services and facilities allow us to live with thought process in each is different.
dignity. All this is made available in a Society helps in the development of our
society. A variety of industries and emotional capabilities and the power to
occupations help to fulfil our needs. For think. It also provides the opportunity for
example, we need books for studying; and expressing our thoughts and feelings.
paper for books. That is why occupations The development of our artistic
like manufacturing paper, printing, book and other talents also takes place in
binding, etc. also develop. Many people society. Singers,  musicians, artists,
contribute to this process. Thus, the variety scientists, adventurers, social workers
of occupations in the society help us in can all develop their qualities further
fulfilling our needs. This also leads to the because of the backing and
development of our skills and capabilities. encouragement of society. This
Our basic needs are fulfilled in society. encouragement is very important.
We depend on each other for our emotional 1.4 What is meant by society ?
needs such as security, appreciation, Society includes all people - men,
praise and support etc. Thus, our life in women, grown-ups, old people, young
society is interdependent. children. Our families are a part of the
society. Society also includes different
Try this. groups, institutions and organizations. The
inter-relationships and inter-actions
Make a list of all the different between the people, their dependence on
things we need every day. Who are one another and sharing also form a part
the people who make these things of the society. Society is not simply a mob
and help to bring them to you  ? or crowd of people. A society is formed
Find out the answers in relation to when people come together to achieve
at least 5 things you use daily. certain common objectives.

60
 In order to fufil needs like food, the society cannot be carried on. A system
clothing, shelter and security, the society is essential for the continued existence of
has to create a permanent system. Without the society. For example, agriculture is
such a system, the day-to-day affairs of essential to fulfil the need for food.
Various institutions must be created to
Do you know ? perform all the functions related to
agriculture. Therefore, a vast system needs
All human beings are equal by
to be created which includes factories to
birth. They have the same status as manufacture tools and equipment used for
human beings. According to the farming, banks to provide loans to the
Constitution of India, all are equal farmers, a market for the goods produced,
before the law. The Constitution etc. The existence of many such systems
guarantees the equality of opportunities. makes a society stable.
We can each make progress using our In the next chapter, we shall learn
education, capabilities and skills. about the diversity in the Indian society.

Exercise

1. Fill in the blanks. (3) What makes life in society more

(1) Man felt the need for .............. for stable and organized ?
the day to day affairs of society to (4) If there were no social institutions,
run smoothly. what difficulties would we have
(2) ................ helps the development of faced ?
people’s talents.
(3) We all have some emotional and 4. What would you do in the following
some ............ needs, too. situations ?
(1) Your friend has forgotten to bring
something they need in school.
2. Answer in one sentence. (2) You meet a blind or otherwise
(1) Which are our basic needs ? handicapped person on the way.
(2) Whose company do we like ?
(3) What opportunities does society Activities
provide us with ? (1) Meet a skilled tradesman who makes
farmers’ tools. Make a list of all
those who help the farmer in his
3. What do you think ? Answer in two or
work.
three sentences.
(2) Visit a nearby bank and find out the
(1) How is a society formed ?
different purposes for which the
(2) Why is it necessary to set up a bank lends money.
permanent system in society ? (3) Make a list of man’s basic needs
and some additional  needs.
***
61
 2. Diversity in Society
2.1 Diversity is our strength. communities will have the freedom to
worship according to their faith and to
2.2 The principle of secularism
help develop a feeling of mutual
2.3 The contribution of society to our understanding.
development India is an important secular nation
2.4 Regulation of society of the world. We have great linguistic and
religious diversity in our country. In order
There are many languages, religions,
to preserve this diversity in a sound and
cultures, customs and traditions in Indian healthy manner, we have accepted the
society. This diversity is a mark of our principle of secularism. Accordingly,
rich cultural heritage. We live among ● No religion is recognized as the
people who speak different languages religion of our country.
such as Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, ● Every person has the freedom of
Bengali, Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu. They worship as per their religion or the religion
celebrate their festivals and cultural events of their choice.
in different ways. Their modes of worship ● There can be no discrimination
are also different. Our country consists of among people on the basis of their
regions with different historical legacies religion. The people of all religions are
where this diversity is shared and treated equally by the State.
celebrated ! As all these different ● Opportunities for education, means
communities in our country have lived of livelihood and government jobs are
together for many many years, a feeling made available to all. There is no
of oneness has developed among them. discrimination on the basis of religion.
This feeling of oneness leads to unity in ● There are special provisions in the
Indian society. Constitution for the protection of religious
2.1 Diversity is our strength. and linguistic minorities. Minorities are
free to protect and preserve their linguistic
To live with different groups is to
and cultural identities. They are also free
experience co-existence. Co-existence
to bring about the development of their
helps to increase the level of understanding
own communities through education.
among the people. It acquaints us with
● The principle of secularism has
each other’s traditions, customs and ways
helped to maintain religious harmony in
of life. We learn to respect each others’
Indian society.
way of life. We even adopt certain
traditions from others. This helps to 2.3 The contribution of society to
increase the feeling of unity in the society. our development
This social unity helps us to face many What do we learn by living in a
natural and social calamities together. society 
? What values, qualities do we
2.2 The principle of secularism imbibe ? Let us see how society helps to
develop our personality.
Indian society consists of people
following different religions. Our Cooperation : All societies are based
Constitution has made important on mutual cooperation between individuals
provisions to ensure that all religious and the community. The very existence
62
of the society depends on the cooperation An understanding attitude leads to a
between individuals. Cooperation is the lot of new learning. We accept new ideas.
process of sharing and helping each other This helps to further enrich our social life.
in solving problems and removing We become more tolerant. Society provides
difficulties. A family cannot remain us an opportunity to learn this simple
together without an attitude of cooperation method of maintaining well-being and
among its members. The same is true of peace in society.
society. Lack of cooperation hampers our
progress. Day-to-day life will also not run Can you do it ?
smoothly. Cooperation makes
interdependence in society healthier and You, too, may have made some
allows inclusion of everybody in the compromises. Some such experiences are
society. It is a process of inclusion and given below. Add more experiences of
of moving ahead taking along all sections your own.
of society. (a) The hall is packed full of students.
You see a person standing. You move
Let’s discuss. over a little on your bench, to make
room for the person.
We must cooperate with efforts (b) You want a cycle with gears. But
aimed at the education and development your parents have to pay your sister’s
of girls and the weaker and deprived school fees. You give up your
sections of our society. For this purpose, demand.
obtain information about the relevant (c) Your family was able to sort out a
government schemes. Discuss in class dispute with the neighbours over the
what you can do for the development boundary of the field, without going
of these sections of our society. Share to the court. Your neighbour Sopan
the important points from your is now a good friend of yours.
discussion with students of other classes.
An opportunity to perform different
roles : In society, we play different roles.
Tolerance and understanding : Just Each individual has several roles and the
as there is cooperation in the society, so responsibilities and duties of every role
also at times there can be differences of are well-defined. While playing these roles
opinion, disputes and conflicts. Disputes at home and outside, we form bonds with
and conflicts arise when there is lack of many people. However, changes may
agreement in the opinions, ideas and occur in the parts we play.
views of the people. Prejudices or
misconceptions about each other can also Try this.
lead to conflicts. However, it is in
nobody’s interest to keep a conflict going Look at the picture on the next
for a long time. People find a way to page. Spot the picture that clearly
resolve conflicts through compromise and defines your role today. Discuss the
understanding. Thus, conflicts can end if new roles that you will have to carry
people make efforts to understand each out after twenty years.
other and show a spirit of tolerance.
63
 Student Son / Daughter
of your parents

Grandson / Granddaughter
of your grandparents
Member of Friends
of Children society
You

Member of your friends

circle in the school
Cleanliness ambassador
Sportsperson Class representative

2.4 Regulation of society traditions and customs. The regulation of

In order that society functions society through laws and traditions is
smoothly, some rules are required. In carried out by different organizations and
ancient times, society was mostly institutions. The government bodies at
regulated with the help of traditions. But the local level also play an
in modern times, along with traditions, important role in the process of regulation
laws are needed. Law is different from of society.

Exercise

1. Fill in the blanks. (2) When do conflicts arise in society ?

(1) To live among a variety of communities (3) What are the advantages of
is to experience......... . cooperation ?
(2) India is an important ................ nation (4) You see two children quarrelling. What
of the world. would you do ?
(3) Cooperation makes ................. in (5) You are the Chief Minister of the
society healthier. School Cabinet. What are the functions
you would perform?
2. Answer each of the following questions
in one sentence. Activities
(1) What is meant by cooperation ? (1) Set up and run a Students’ Cooperative
(2) Why have we accepted the principle of Store in your school, with the help of
secularism ? your teachers. Write about your
experiences of this activity.
3. Answer the following questions in two or (2) Make a chart of all the rules you follow
three sentences. in the school and in your class and
(1) What is it that shows the unity in Indian display the chart in your class.
society ?
***
64
 3. Rural Local Government Bodies
3.1 The Gram Panchayat 3.1 Gram Panchayat
3.2 The Panchayat Samiti The Gram Panchayat looks after the
3.3 The Zilla Parishad administration of the village. If the
population of a village is less than 500,
Local government bodies play an two or more such villages come under one
important role in the regulation of social Gram Panchayat. It is then called a ‘Group
life. In our country, along with local Gram Panchayat’. The Gram Panchayat
bodies, the Union Government and the carries out the functions relating to water
State Government also participate in the supply, electricity, registration of births,
work of regulation. The local government deaths and marriages.
bodies are broadly classified as rural and The office bearers and officers of
urban local bodies. In this chapter, we the Gram Panchayat
will learn about the rural local government Sarpanch : The elections to a Gram
bodies. The Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Panchayat are held every five years. The
Samiti and Zilla Parishad are the rural elected members elect a Sarpanch and
local government bodies that are Deputy Sarpanch from among themselves.
collectively known as the ‘Panchayati The meetings of the Gram Panchayat are
Raj Institutions’. held under the chairmanship of the
Sarpanch. It is his responsibility to
Do you know ? implement the development schemes of
the village. The members of the Gram
Union
Government Panchayat can bring a motion of no
State Government
confidence against a Sarpanch who is
Local Government not carrying out his responsibilities
properly. In the absence of the Sarpanch,
The administration in our country the Deputy Sarpanch looks after the
is carried on at three levels. The work of a Gram Panchayat.
administration for the entire country is Gram Sevak : He is the secretary
carried out by the Union Government. of the Gram Panchayat. He is appointed
Subjects such as defence, foreign by the Chief Executive Officer of the
affairs, currency, etc. are the jurisdiction Zilla Parishad. His main function is to
of the Union Government. At the second look after the day to day functioning of
level is the State Government. The State the Gram Panchayat, to explain its
Government of Maharashtra makes laws development schemes to the residents of
related to law and order, health, the village, etc.
education, etc. The local government Gram Sabha : The assembly of all
bodies work at the third level. the voters of the village or rural area
Local Government Bodies is the Gram Sabha. It is the most
important organization of the people at
Rural Urban the local level.
Gram Panchayat Nagar Panchayat It is binding to hold at least six
Panchayat Samiti Municipal Council meetings of the Gram Sabha in each
Zilla Parishad Municipal Corporation financial year. The responsibility of calling
65
the meetings of the Gram Sabha is with Gram Sabha, they speak with greater
the Sarpanch. In the first meeting of each concern about issues such as drinking
financial year, the Gram Sabha discusses water, prohibition, employment, fuel,
the annual report and accounts submitted health, etc. They also suggest measures
by the Gram Panchayat. The suggestions for bringing about necessary changes.
of the Gram Sabha are conveyed to the The source of revenue of the Gram
Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha gives Panchayat : The Gram Panchayat carries
sanction to the development schemes out many schemes and programmes for
proposed by the Gram Panchayat. The the welfare of the village. For this purpose,
Gram Sabha has the authority to decide it requires money. The Gram Panchayat
upon which individuals deserve the benefits raises these funds through different taxes.
of Government schemes.
The source of Grants from
Women’s participation in the Gram House
revenue of the
tax Zilla
Sabha : A meeting of the women of a Gram Panchayat
Parishad and
village is held before the meeting of the State
Water tax Pilgrimage
Government
Gram Sabha. Here, women feel free to Tax on tax
Weekly Market
discuss a variety of issues. During the
Finally, What if the Gram
ons
chayat electi e e
the Gram Pan as so much of s th Panchayat does
re w at i for ? W r the
are over ! The the village ! w h o not function
excite m en t in
e So, abha sent f properly ?
se e how the villag m S p r e
f t h e
not en That’s
Now le ts
ye ar s. Gra all be ngs o ha. oug
the next 5 eti repres h. We must
develops in st
mu me am S
ab entat ask
We m
G r ust ask ives questio our
develo ab ns.
pment out the statu
sugge work. We m s of
st new
ideas. ust

Gram Panchayat Office

3.2 Panchayat Samiti The office bearers of the Panchayat

All the villages within a taluka form Samiti : Elections to the Panchayat
a development block. The body that Samiti are held every five years. The
looks after the functioning of the elected members elect from among
development block is the Panchayat themselves, the Chairman and Deputy
Samiti. It also acts as a link between the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti. The
Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayat. Chairman has the responsibility of calling
66
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The Functions of the Panchayat Samiti

the meetings and conducting the business The President of the Zilla Parishad
of the meetings. In the absence of the presides over the meetings of the Zilla
Chairman, the Deputy Chairman presides Parishad. He exercises control over
over the meetings. business conducted during the meetings.
The Functions of the Panchayat He also controls the financial transactions
Samiti : The Panchayat Samiti prepares of the Zilla Parishad.
a plan of the schemes to be implemented He has the authority to undertake
in the development block. It is binding appropriate expenditure from the Zilla
on the Panchayat Samiti to hold at least Parishad’s funds. The Vice-President
one meeting every month. carries out these duties in the absence of
The Panchayat Samiti receives a the President.
certain amount of money from the district
funds. It also receives grants from the Do you know ?
State Government to carry out How does the Zilla Parishad function?
the development schemes of the The work of the Zilla Parishad is
development block.
carried out through different committees
3.3 Zilla Parishad - the Finance Committee, Agriculture
Every District has a Zilla Parishad. Committee, Education Committee,
At present, the State of Maharashtra has
Health Committee, Water Management
36 districts but only 34 Zilla Parishads.
and Sanitation Committee, etc. The
The reason is that Mumbai City District
Women and Child Welfare Committee
and Mumbai Suburban District do not
have a rural population. Therefore, they takes up issues related to problems
do not have Zilla Parishads. faced by women and children.
The office-bearers of the Zilla Chief Executive Officer : The
Parishad : Elections to the Zilla Parishad decisions taken by the Zilla Parishad are
are held every five years. The elected implemented by the Chief Executive
representatives choose a President and a Officer of the Zilla Parishad. He is
Vice-President from among themselves. appointed by the State Government.
67
 What would you do?
Imagine that you are the Chief Executive Officer of a Zilla Parishad.
To which development plans would you give priority in your district ?

Functions of the Zilla Parishad

Education Facilities Health Facilities

Water Supply Provision of Seeds

Electricity Tree Plantation in the Village

68
 What would you do? Do you know ?

Where would you tell Dinesh and Our Constitution was amended
Naina to go for the following things ? in 1992 by the 73rd and 74th
● To get their younger sibling Amendment Act. These
vaccinated ................ . amendments have granted a
● To accompany their father to get constitutional status to the rural
the 7/12 extract ................. . and urban local government bodies.
● To learn about the use of a new It has also given them more
manure ................. . powers to develop their respective
areas more efficiently. The number
● To complain against contaminated
of subjects under their jurisdiction
water supply ................ .
were also increased. In order to
● To get a birth certificate .............. . enable them to work effectively,
● To get the income / caste certificate their sources of revenue have also
................. . been increased.

Panchayati Raj System at a Glance

President Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer

Chairman Panchayat Samiti Block Development Officer

Sarpanch Gram Panchayat Gram Sevak

Elected Appointed by
Representatives the Government

Do you know ?

Who can contest elections ?

In order to get elected to the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and
Zilla Parishad, candidates must fulfil certain conditions of eligibility.
For example, he/she should be a citizen of India. He/She should have
completed 21 years of age. The person’s name should be enrolled in the local
voters list. These conditions also apply to the urban local government bodies.

69
 Local Government Bodies - Rural

Gram Panchayat Panchayat Samiti Zilla Parishad

Total Membership

Minimum 7 Minimum 15 Minimum 50

Maximum 17 Maximum 45 Maximum 75

Officer Bearers

Sarpanch Chairman President

Deputy Sarpanch Deputy Chairman Vice-President
Officers

Gram Sevak Block Development Officer Chief Executive Officer

Exercise

1. Put a tick () in the right box. (2) The name of the Chairman of the
Panchayat Samiti ………..
(1) The …………… looks after the local
(3) The name of the Deputy Chairman of
administration of the village.
the Panchayat Samiti ………..
Gram Panchayat Panchayat
(4) The name of the Block Development
Samiti Zilla Parishad
Officer ………..
(2) It is binding to hold at least …...… (5) The name of the Block Education
meetings of the Gram Sabha in each Officer ………..
financial year.
Four Five Six 5. Write a brief note on
(3) At present, there are …………… (1) The Sarpanch
districts in Maharashtra. (2) The Chief Executive Officer
34 35 36
Project
2. Make a list of the functions of the (1) Organize a mock Gram Sabha and
Panchayat Samiti. enact the roles of the Sarpanch,
members of the Gram Panchayat,
3. What is your opinion? voters, Gram Sevak.
(1) The Gram Panchayat levies various (2) Make a chart depicting the possible
taxes. structure of a Balsansad and display it
(2) The number of Zilla Parishads is less in the class.
than the total number of districts in (3) Obtain information about the schemes
Maharashtra. run by the Zilla Parishad in your area
4. Complete the Table. or near your city.
My Taluka, My Panchayat Samiti.
(1) Name of the Taluka ………..
***
70
 4. Urban Local Government Bodies
4.1 The Nagar Panchayat Let’s discuss.
4.2 The Municipal Council What are the main problems that
4.3 The Municipal Corporation cities face ?
Reshma had spent a wonderful
In the previous chapter, we have Diwali vacation with her relatives in a
studied the nature of the local government city. However, she began to think about
bodies in the rural areas. In this chapter, some of her experiences. Think along
we will learn something about the local with Reshma about these incidents and
government institutions in the urban areas. write your thoughts in two paragraphs.
These include the Nagar Panchayat, the ● The siren of the ambulance sounded
Municipal Council and the Municipal loud and clear but there was no free
Corporation. way on the road.
Our country has a large number of ● As a result of the decision to cut the
towns and cities and they are growing water supply, there was a great crowd
rapidly. Villages are growing into towns, at the water supply tankers.
towns into cities and cities into metropolises. ● Efforts were being made to provide
The rural areas neighbouring cities are facilities to senior citizens and small
also getting transformed. children in the parks.

Facilities and Problems in Cities

1. Opportunities for industry and business 1. Shortage of housing

2. Expanding service sector 2. Insufficient space
3. Large scale opportunities for jobs 3. Traffic congestion
4. Availability of facilities for entertainment, 4. Problem of disposal of waste
art, culture, etc. 5. Increasing crime
6. A large proportion of
population in slums

4.1 Nagar Panchayat choose a President and a Vice-President

The villages that are in the process of from among themselves.
becoming towns have a Nagar Panchayat.
All local government bodies
We see some areas which are neither fully
have to carry out some essential
rural nor fully urban. In such areas, the
functions. What, according to you,
local government body is the Nagar
are the essential functions of a
Panchayat. As with other local bodies,
Nagar Panchayat ?
elections to a Nagar Panchayat are held
every five years. The elected members

71
4.2 The Municipal Council The sources of revenue of the
The Municipal Council is the local Municipal Council
government body for small cities. Elections
to the Council are held every five years.
Property Grants from
The elected representatives function as
Tax State Government
Councillors. As per the recent changes in
the Act relating to Municipal Councils, the Water Tax
President is elected directly by the people.
There is a provision to hold the election Education Tax Tax on Markets
of the President simultaneously with the
general election of the Council.
The President of the Municipal Council What would you do?
is the chairman of all its meetings. He
controls the working of the Council and
keeps a watch on the financial 1. When you hand over your
administration of the Council. In the household waste to the waste
absence of the President, the Vice-President pickers….
looks after the work of the Council. 2. The road is waterlogged as the
There are some functions that are water pipe has broken.
binding on the Council. These are known 3. You notice that unclean, impure
as obligatory functions, for example, water is being used for pani puris.
lighting of public streets, providing 4. Many people are throwing plastic
drinking water, public hygiene, sewage
bags from the bridge into the river.
disposal, registration of birth/death/
marriage, etc. 5. The Municipal Council’s
programme to clean the slum areas
The Municipal Council also tries to
has been published in the
provide additional facilities to the people
and these functions are known as newspaper, but you think that one
‘discretionary functions’. Planning new of the planned actions is improper.
public roads and acquiring the necessary
land, improving the condition of slums, Appeal from the Municipal Council
creating public gardens and parks,
providing secure shelters for cattle are Calling all citizens – to take the
some of the ‘discretionary’ functions of following measures to stop breeding of
the Municipal Council. mosquitoes and curb the spread of
dengue :
Do you know ? (1) Do not stack old tyres, coconut
For every Municipal Council, there shells, empty cans or boxes on your
is a Chief Officer. He implements the terrace or around your house.
decisions taken by the Municipal (2) In case of persistent fever go to a
Council. There are several officers who doctor without delay.
assist him. (3) Keep your surroundings clean.
* Would you like to become such
an officer  ? If you become a * In response to the above, what
Health Officer, what functions would would you do in your house and in the
you perform ? surroundings ?
72
4.3 Municipal Corporation : Administration of the Corporation  :
The local body that provides different The Municipal Commissioner is the
services to the people in big cities is head of the administration of the
called ‘Municipal Corporation’. The first Corporation. He is responsible for
Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra implementing the decisions taken by the
was established at Mumbai. Corporation. For example, if a Corporation
takes the decision of putting a ban on
Find out : (1) In how many cities
the use of plastic bags, then the actual
of Maharashtra State is the
implementation of this policy is done by
administration carried out through
the Commissioner. He also prepares the
Corporations? (2) In which year was annual budget of the Corporation and
the Municipal Corporation of your remains present for the general
city established? body meetings.
The total number of members of a
Municipal Corporation is determined so Try this.
as to be in proportion to the population
of the city. The elections to the Form an Education Committee
Corporation are held every five years. for your class. The Committee should
The elected members are known as have an equal number of boys and
Corporators. They elect a Mayor and a girls as representatives. They should
Deputy Mayor from among themselves. discuss the following issues and
The Mayor is considered to be the first prepare a report.
citizen of the city. He presides over all (a) Facilities in the classroom
the meetings of the Corporation. Many (b) A proposal for setting up a small
important issues regarding the city are library for the class
discussed, and decisions regarding the (c) Organising a sports competition
development of the city are made in the
General Body meeting of the Corporation.
Do you know ?
According to the changes introduced
in the election process of the Municipal The proportion of women in the
Corporation, multi-member wards are total population is nearly half. Yet,
created. From each ward, not less than very few women are seen to take
three and not more than five members part in the working of the government.
are elected. The voter can cast as many Women handle issues like food,
votes as the number of members to be energy, water every day as part of
elected from the ward. Thus, a voter can their daily routine but they had no
cast four votes if four members are to say in the decisions regarding these
be elected from the ward. issues. A woman takes care of the
water in the house but she did not
The Committees of the Corporation : participate in dealing with water
The Corporation carries out its work issues. With fifty percent reservation
through different committees. Some of
for women in the local bodies, they
the important committees are Education
now have got an opportunity to
Committee, Health Committee, Transport
resolve important issues.
Committee, etc.
73
From the list given below, identify the functions of the Corporation and make a list.

e
Water supply Police Deciding th le Protection of
me tab
Railway ti environment
electricity Demolition
of
Providing n
Prot
for the stre
ets
th o r iz e d constructio the ecting
una u bord
of th ers
coun e
t r a t i on of es Fire e Provide information about try
s g
Regi h, marria Brig
ad dangerous buildings
t
, dea
birth
ion
y educat sion fo
r
Eleme n t a r Permis ction po rt in cities
constru Public trans

Collection of Taxes Sources of revenue

of the Corporation


House Tax 
Entertainment Tax

Property Tax 
Raising Loans

Water Tax 
State Government

Profession Tax Grants

What did you feel on reading this ? Why did the Corporation do it?
● The Metro will soon run in your
● The Corporation has refused
city.
permission for any construction work
● Permission has been given for the that would require the cutting down
construction of a 24 storey building. of trees.
● Gardens and Leisure Centres will be ● It has implemented many programmes
established in every ward. to control the spread of diseases like
● Action will be taken against those dengue, swine flu, etc.
who use purified water to water the ● Modernised the Fire Brigade.
gardens or to wash their cars.
● Inspected the weighing scales in the
● It has been made compulsory to
vegetable market.
dispose of wet garbage within
one’s locality.
● Old age homes will be constructed
for the benefit of senior citizens.
74
 Do this …
Find out the hospitals run by the Municipal Council  or Corporation in your
area. What facilities are offered to the patients there ? What is a person required
to do if she / he wants to take treatment there ?

Local Government Bodies - Urban

Nagar Panchayat Municipal Council Municipal Corporation

Strength of members

Minimum 9 Minimum 17 The total number of

Maximum 15 Maximum 38 members is proportionate
to the population
Office bearers

President President Mayor

Vice-President Vice-President Deputy Mayor

Officials

Executive Officer Chief Officer Commissioner

Do you know ?

What is meant by reservation ? Why is it necessary ?

Out of the total number of seats to which people elect their representatives
in a Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad, Municipal Council
and Municipal Corporation, some seats are reserved for members of the
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Class of Citizens. Only
members from that specific category can be elected to the reserved seat. This
is known as reservation of seats. Also, out of the total number of seats, half
of the seats are reserved for women.
Reservation is necessary as it allows the deprived sections of the society
and women to take part in the working of villages and cities and to participate
in the decision making process. In a democracy, it is important that all the
people get an opportunity to participate in all the processes.

75
 Exercise

1. Choose the right option and fill in the 4. Can you tell ?
blanks. (1) Which are the essential functions of the
(1) The first city in Maharashtra to have a Municipal Council ?
Municipal Corporation ............... . (2) Where does the Nagar Panchayat
(Nagpur, Mumbai, Latur) function ?
(2) The body that looks after the 5. Make different lists of places in your
administration of places that are in the district according to whether they have
process of becoming cities ....... . a Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council
(Municipal Council, Municipal or a Municipal Corporation.
Corporation, Nagar Panchayat)
(3) The Office bearer who supervises the Activities
work of the Municipal Council. (1) Make your own health awareness
(Chief Officer, Executive Officer, slogans to help prevent the spread of
Commissioner) infectious diseases, and display them in
2. Answer in brief. your classroom.
(1) What problems do people face in (2) Visit the Municipal Corporation nearest
cities ? to you and find out which new schemes
(2) Name the various committees of the have been taken up. Discuss in class
Municipal Corporation. what you could do to contribute to them.

3. Make a chart giving information about

the urban local government bodies
according to the points given below.

Points Nagar Panchayat Municipal Council Municipal Corporation

Office Bearers

Number of Members
Officers
***
Hospital

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 5. District Administration
Do such questions occur to you, too?
5.1 The District Collector The Zilla Parishad is a part of the rural
5.2 The Chief of the District Police local government system i.e. the
5.3 District Courts Panchayati Raj system. But in
Our teachers will Maharashtra, the administration of the
We learnt about The newspapers
be able to tell us !
My Didi says she
district is shared by both the Zilla
the Zilla Parishad, but always mention the
there was no mention of District Collector in
wants to become a
District Collector.
Parishad and District Collector. The
the District collector? the news. Union Government and State Government
both participate in this administration.
5.1 The District Collector :
The District Collector is the head of
the district administration. He is appointed
by the State Government. He has to
perform many functions from collecting
agricultural tax to maintaining law and
order in the district. We can see what
these functions are from the chart
given below.
District Collector
Agriculture Law and Order Election Officer Disaster Management
To collect Establish peace in To ensure smooth To take quick decisions
agricultural tax the district conduct of elections during times of disaster
and prevent or minimise
the damage
To implement To maintain social To take necessary To give orders to the
laws relating to harmony decisions related to disaster management
agriculture the electoral  process. units / cells.
To provide relief To restrict To update the To rehabilitate /  those
in case of drought unlawful voters’ lists affected by a disaster
and scarcity of assembly, impose
fodder curfew if required

Do you know ?
Why is it important to maintain social harmony ?
The differences of opinion, disputes and conflicts in the society must be resolved
by peaceful means. However, when this does not happen it gives rise to tensions.
If this leads to violent incidents, it disturbs social harmony. It acts as an obstacle
to our progress. Public property is damaged. The District Collector makes efforts
to prevent such occurrences but it is the duty of the citizens also to help maintain
social harmony.

77
 Tahsildar : There is a Tahsildar for District Administration
every taluka or tehsil. As a Judicial
Officer, he gives judgements to resolve
District Collector Superintendent
conflicts at the local level. The Tahsildar of Police
has the responsibility of maintaining peace
and order in the taluka.
Deputy District Deputy Superintendent
5.2 The Chief of the District Police Collector of Police
In Maharashtra, there is a
Tahsildar Police Inspector
Superintendent of Police at every district
headquarters. He is the chief Police Officer
Talathi
of the district. He helps the District
Collector to maintain peace and order in Police Patil Police Sub Inspector
the district. In the city, the Police
Commissioner has the responsibility of
5.3 District Courts
maintaining law and order.
The Courts at the district level have
The Superintendent of Police inspecting to perform the function of resolving
a Police unit disputes, delivering judgments and
ensuring that conflicts are resolved at the
earliest.
The Constitution of India has
established an independent judiciary. At
the apex of that system is the Supreme
Court of India. Below this are the High
Courts, and below them, the lower courts.
These include District Courts, Taluka
Courts and Revenue Courts.

A court in session

78
 The Court at the district level is
known as the District Court. The district Always remember...
court has a chief District Judge and some It is important to remain alert during
other Judges. Their main function is to a time of crisis. To face a disaster one
hear the various cases in the district and needs the help of people as well as
deliver the final judgment. One can different systems and organizations. In
appeal against the judgment of the taluka order to be able to contact them urgently,
court in the District Court. one should display the contact numbers
of the police, fire brigade, hospitals,
blood banks at a prominent place in the
District Court house. Tell your friends also to do
the same.

Civil Judge Sessions Judge Do you know ?

(for civil cases) In Maharashtra, many officers
have made serious attempts to bring
Magistrate Magistrate about reforms in the administration.
1st grade 2nd grade Their experiments have helped to
(for criminal cases) improve the services provided to the
citizens. This has helped the citizens
Disaster Management to form a favourable opinion about
Sometimes, we may have to face a the administration. As a result their
calamity. It could be a natural disaster support to the administration and
like floods, fire, a cloudburst, cyclone, their participation in it has improved.
earthquake, landslide or problems like (a) Lakhina Pattern : In order
riots, bomb blasts, breaking of a dam, to make the administration efficient
epidemics, etc. These disasters lead to and to increase the quality of public
loss of human lives and displacement of services available to the citizens, Shri
people beside tremendous financial loss. Anilkumar Lakhina brought about
Therefore, the issues of rehabilitation many reforms when he was District
become important. ‘Disaster Management’ Collector of Ahmadnagar District.
is a process which enables one to face These are known as the ‘Lakhina
a disaster in a scientific and organized Pattern’. Standardization of work
manner. The entire machinery of a procedures, stating rules in simple
district is involved in this process. language which could be understood
Advances in technology make it possible by the people, etc. were the
for us to get prior information about administrative changes he introduced.
several kinds of disasters. For example, He also started the ‘Single Window’
a system which can predict and warn us system, so that jobs that people came
of floods or storms has been developed. to do could be completed under one
These help us to be better prepared to roof.
face the disaster. (b) Dalvi Pattern : The
administrative reforms implemented

79
 by Shri Chandrakant Dalvi when he as the ‘Chahande Pattern’. In order to
was District Collector of Pune District, reduce the gap between the people
are known as the ‘Dalvi Pattern’. The and the administration, to increase the
objective of the reform was to speed up accountability of the administration
the decision making by ensuring that towards the people and to prioritize
files were not allowed to stack up and the development work through people’s
that they were dealt with on the same pariticipation, he implemented the
day that they were received. This ‘Gramastha Din’ (Villagers’ Day)
pattern is also know as ‘Zero Pendancy scheme. This is the appointed day
Pattern’. It helped in bringing efficiency when the administrative officials and
and speed into administrative work. staff visit a village and establish a
(c) Chahande Pattern : When dialogue with the people to understand
Dr Sanjay Chahande was the Divisional their problems and help to solve them.
Commissioner of Nashik he implemented
certain reforms which are now known

Exercise

1. Answer in one sentence. 4. Which of the following positions would

(1) Who heads the District Administration ? you like to be in, and why ?
(2) What is the responsibility of the (1) District Collector
Tahsildar ? (2) Chief of the District Police
(3) Which court is at the apex of the (3) Judge
judiciary ?
(4) Which disasters can we be forewarned Activities
about ? (1) Visit the police station nearest to you
and obtain information about the work
2. Match the following. that is done there.
Group A Group B
(a) District (1) Taluka (2) Make a chart of the different disasters
Collector Magistrate showing what precautions are to be
taken and important phone numbers.
(b) District Court (2) Maintaining Display the chart in your class.
law and order
(3) Send New Year greetings to the District
(c) Tahsildar (3) Resolving Collector, Chief of the District Police
disputes and the District Judge.
3. Discuss the following issues.
(1) Disaster Management
(2) Functions of the District Collector ***

80