History & Civics
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.
Answer
(a) Zila Parishad is the Apex body.
Composition of Zila Parishad — The membership varies from 40 to 60 and usually comprises — Deputy Commissioner of District, Presidents of all Panchayat Samitis in the district and Heads of all Government Departments in the district; Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly in the district (as Associate Members in some States), a representative of each cooperative society (only in some states), some women and Scheduled Caste members if not adequately represented; and Co-opted members having extraordinary experience and achievements in public service.
(b) The Chairman is the head of the Zila Parishad. He is elected by the members amongst themselves.
(c) Four functions of the apex body are:
- Coordination of the working of Panchayat Samitis under it.
- Recommendation for grants-in-aid for local bodies.
- Acts as a link between the government and the local bodies.
- Help in the formulation of various plans.
Related Questions
With reference to Gram Panchayat, state the following:
(a) Its composition.
(b) Its function.
(c) Important office bearers.
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.
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.