RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 8 Local Governments

These comprehensive RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 8 Local Governments will give a brief overview of all the concepts.

RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 8 Notes Local Governments

→ Meaning of Local Self-Government
Local Self-Government means that the local affairs such as the management of roads, arrangements for sanitation, burial grounds, primary and middle school, etc., should be done by the institutions of Local Self-Government such as the Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, Gram Panchayat, etc. A Local Self-Government in India therefore means that the people of a particular locality should be given sufficient autonomy and share in the running of their administration.

→ Role of Local Bodies in Democracy
Local bodies are the backbone of democracy. A democratic government at the top cannot succeed unless grassroots democracy through the local bodies is provided for. The local bodies impart sufficient political education to the general masses which prove very helpful in making them enlightened citizens of the country. Local bodies play an important role in providing for training to the leadership also. The 
leaders who actively participate in the institutions of Local Self-Government certainly prove to be good leaders at the state and at national level. In fact, local bodies are the basis on which the edifice of democracy is built.

→ Panchayati Raj System
The Panchayati Raj System as recommended by Balwant Rai Mehta Committee has been organised on a three-tier structure. Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level and Zila Parishad at the district level. In Punjab and Haryana, Panchayati Raj is organised on three-tier basis. In Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are directly elected. But there are some states where Panchayati Raj is organised on two-tier basis. States with less than 20 lakh population have been given the option to set up or not to set up Panchayat Samiti. 

→ 73 rd Constitutional Amendment
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment has incorporated the following four important provisions in the Constitution to improve Panchayati Raj.
(а) Direct Election of the Members. According to 73rd Amendment, all members of the Gram Panchayat are directly elected by the voters of the Gram Sabha. For this purpose, the territorial area of each Gram Panchayat is divided into territorial constituencies—and one member is elected from each constituency.
(b) Tenure of Panchayat. According to 73rd Amendment Act, the tenure of Panchayat in all the states is 5 years. If a Panchayat is dissolved or superseded before the expiry of its tenure, it is obligatory to hold election within six months.
(c) State Election Commission. For the supervision, superintendence and control of election staff of Panchayati Raj institutions, provision for the establishment of independent Election Commission at the state level has been made.
(d) Finance Commission. According to 73rd Amendment Act, the Governor of a State shall appoint Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendation to the Governor to improve the financial position of Panchayats.

→ 74th Constitutional Amendment
The 74th Amendment Act was passed in 1992. By this Amendment Act, Part IX A was inserted in the constitution. Following were the main features of the Municipalities after the passing of 74th Amendment Act.

• Three types of municipalities : Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporations.
• Five year tenure of all types of municipalities.
• Appointment of Election Commission in each state to conduct elections of the local bodies.
• Metropolitan and district planning committees in each state.
• Appointment of a Finance Commission for local governments.
• Reservation of seats of SCs, STs, OBCs and women.

→ Functions of Urban Local Self-Government :
Following are the four important functions of the Council or Urban Local Self-Government.
(a) Sanitation. The urban local government is responsible for sanitary conditions for the city. It is the function of the committee to see that public roads are properly swept, cleaned and watered.

(b) Roads and Bridges. Municipal Committee constructs roads and bridges in its area and undertakes its repair and maintenance.

(c) Water Supply. Urban local Govt, or Municipal Committee makes arrangements of pure drinking water in its area. Arrangements of water pumps is made in streets, bazaars and at public places. Water is also supplied in the houses of the people.

(d) Public Health. The preservation of public health is a very important function of Municipal Committee. Functions performed by Municipal Committee for the preservation of health are establishment and maintenance of hospitals and dispensaries, vaccination, prevention of the sale of adulterated food stuff, provision of maternity and child welfare centre, etc.