With reference to the Panchayat Samiti, answer the following questions:

(a) What is known as the Panchayat Samiti? Who is the head of the Panchayat Samiti? How is he appointed?

(b) State the composition of the Panchayat Samiti.

(c) List four functions of the Panchayat Samiti.

With reference to the Panchayati Raj System answer the following questions:

(a) State the name and composition of the apex body.

(b) Who is the head of the local government at the district level? How is he elected?

(c) List four functions of the apex body.

A large number of people in the villages are illiterate and are carried away by caste and creed politics. In this scenario, do you think Panchayati Raj system is effective in providing good governance in the villages? Give reasons to support your answer.

Do you think digitalisation in the villages will help in providing the benefits of various welfare schemes introduced by the Central government to the villagers? Give two examples to support your answer.