Question 1 What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Answer The problems faced by villagers in Hardas village are :
(1) Shortage of water.
(2) Women had to walk 3 Km away from the village to river Suru to get water.
(3) hand pump water level has gone down than regular level.
The solutions they found are :
(1) Piping water from river Suru.
(2) Deepen the hand pumps.
(3) They sought information about the scheme of watershed development from the Block Development Officer.
Question 2 What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Answer The Gram Sabha is the most important body of the Panchayati Raj System. It is responsible for planning out the strategies for the development of the village, implementation of the ruling provisions , electing the members of Gram Panchayat , looks after the basic amenities of village people and also the custodian of the public property of the village. Education, law, and order, primary health services are some of the other responsibilities of the Gram Sabha.
It is important for all members to attend Gram Sabha meetings because it is the only way to participate in the proceedings of various plans discussed in the meetings. Moreover the welfare programmes can be discussed.
Question 3 What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Answer
(a) Gram Sabha selects the members of Gram panchayat.
(b) Gram Sabha is answerable to Gram Panchayat.
(c) Gram Sabha keeps a check on the deeds of the members of Gram Panchayat.
Question 4 Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the following:
a. Why it was taken up.
b. Where the money came from.
c. Whether or not the work has been completed.
Answer
(a) Our Panchayat recently undertook the task of building a community hall. It was necessary because there was no such common place where people could gather at a time. It was difficult to hold a general meeting, organize a general function, etc.
(b) The money was collected as a contribution from the villagers and some part of it was also diverted from the Panchayat welfare fund.
(c) Yes, the work has been completed within the projected time and it is now in use.
Question 5 What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Answer
| Gram Sabha | Gram panchayat |
| (1) It consists of all the adults of a village | Its members are elected by the people of the village. |
| (2) The area of Gram Sabha is the entire village. | Gram Panchayat is divided into wards represented by Ward Councillors. |
Question 6 Read the following news item. Nimone is a village on the Chauphula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to hospital for treatment. In the FIR recorded by the police Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes. Adapted from Indian Express, May 1, 2004
a. Why was Bhagvan beaten?
b. Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?
Answer (a) Bhagvan insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. But the upper caste men were against this and therefore they beat Bhagvan to suppress his demand.
(b) Yes, the above is a case of discrimination, because the upper caste men tries to suppress the genuine demand of the lower castes. They look them down upon and ignore their existence.
Question 7 Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?
Answer Watershed development helps in conserving water and recharging the groundwater resources. Under the watershed development scheme the trees are planted , Check dams and tanks are constructed to harvest rainwater. Barren lands are turned into green meadows and an ample quantity of water is available both for drinking and irrigation.
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