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)
The Big Questions (Page-173)
Question 1.
What are urban local bodies and what are their functions?
Answer:
Urban local bodies are local government institutions in cities and towns responsible for managing municipal services and infrastructure. Their functions include maintaining roads, managing waste, overseeing public health, and implementing development projects.
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.
Page – 174
Let’s Explore
Question 3.
Why is a city like Kolkata, Chennai, or Mumbai more complex and diverse than a village or a town?
Answer:
Cities like Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai are more complex and diverse due to their large populations, varied socio-economic groups, and cultural backgrounds. They have intricate infrastructures, multiple services, and numerous governance issues, making them more challenging to manage compared to smaller, less diverse villages or towns.
Question 4.
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.
Page-175
Let’s Explore
Question 5.
In figure above, what similarities and differences do you notice between the Panchayati Raj system and the urban local government?
Answer:
Similarities:
- Both systems involve local governance with elected representatives.
- They aim to address local issues and improve community welfare.
- Both have responsibilities in areas like infrastructure maintenance, public health, and community services.
Differences:
- The Panchayati Raj system operates in rural areas, whereas urban local governments manage cities and towns.
- The structure of the Panchayati Raj system includes Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Panchayats, whereas urban local governments consist of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats.
- Urban local governments often handle more complex services and infrastructure due to higher population density and more diverse needs, compared to the generally simpler structures in the Panchayati Raj system.
Page – 177
Let’s Explore
Question 6.
Can you think of four or five more actions that responsible citizens might take to help their area of the city?
Answer:
- Participate in Clean-Up Drives: Join neighbourhood clean-ups to maintain cleanliness in public spaces.
- Report Issues Promptly: Inform authorities about problems like broken streetlights or potholes for quick repairs.
- Promote Recycling: Separate and recycle waste to reduce landfill use.
- Support Local Initiatives: Engage with community projects and programmes to aid local development.
- Attend Public Meetings: Participate in local meetings to stay informed and voice concerns.
Page-179
Let’s Explore
Question 7.
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 8.
How do urban local bodies fund their activities? (Hint: Look carefully at the pictures of the functions performed by the Indore Municipal Corporation in Fig. 12.4 on page 178.) Are some of them paid services?
Ansswer:
Urban local bodies fund their activities through various sources:
- Municipal Taxes: Property taxes, water charges, and other local taxes.
- Grants and Aids: Funds from the state or central government.
- Service Fees: Payments for services like garbage collection or water supply.
- Revenue from Assets: Income from municipal property rentals or business ventures.
Some services, such as waste management or water supply, may involve user fees or charges.
Class 6 SST Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas Question Answer (Exercise)
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 due to the leak. What would you and your friends do in such a situation?
Answer:
You and your friends should report the leak to the local urban local body or municipal office. You can do this by contacting the local authorities via their hotline, website, or visiting their office. Prompt reporting helps address the issue quickly and prevents further wastage of water.
Question 2.
Invite a member of a nearby urban local body to your class. Discuss their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is productive.
Answer:
Questions to ask:
- What are your main responsibilities within the urban local body?
- How does your role impact the daily lives of residents?
- Can you describe a recent project or initiative you worked on?
- How do you handle complaints or issues reported by citizens?
- What challenges do you face in managing urban services?
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:
Characteristics include:
- Responsiveness: Addressing issues and complaints promptly.
- Transparency: Open communication about decisions and spending.
- Accountability: Clear mechanisms for reporting and addressing failures.
- Efficiency: Effective management of resources and services.
- Inclusiveness: Engaging citizens in decision making processes and planning.
Question 5.
What are the similarities and differences between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies?
Answer:
Similarities:
- Both involve local governance and decision-making at a community level.
- Both aim to address local issues and improve quality of life.
- Both have elected representatives responsible for managing local affairs.
Differences:
- Panchayati Raj focuses on rural areas, while urban local bodies manage cities and towns.
- Urban local bodies often deal with more complex infrastructure and services due to higher population density.
- Panchayati Raj structures include Gram Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats, whereas urban local bodies are categorised into Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats based on population size.